Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a Golden Kite Award!

On March 15, I joined the Golden Kite Award finalists and hundreds of other SCBWI members for the virtual Golden Kite Awards! Although we couldn't meet in person, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces (including Jason Reynolds, who gave an amazing keynote address!) and lovely comments in … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 SCBWI Golden Kite Award Finalist!

I'm thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 SCBWI Golden Kite Award Middle Grade Finalist! I've learned so much and met so many incredible people through SCBWI, and I'm honored to see my book recognized in this way! The virtual awards ceremony will take place on March 15! See the complete list … [Read more...]

MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL Wins a 2022 Mathical Honor!

I'm so thrilled that MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL has won a 2022 Mathical Honor! Each year, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) announces 2022 winners of the Mathical Book Prize, which recognizes outstanding fiction and literary nonfiction for youth ages 2-18. I'm so glad that MUCH ADO … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a 2022 Newbery Honor!

I'm over the moon that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won a Newbery Honor Award!! Given to "most distinguished American children's book published the previous year," this is the oldest children's book award in the world! I'm so grateful to the Newbery Committee and the American Library Association for … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Walter Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature!

I'm utterly thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers! The Walter Awards are given by We Need Diverse Books to works of outstanding children's literature that celebrate diversity. When I first wrote this book of my heart, I wasn't … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner!

So honored to see RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on the 2022 Notable Books for a Global Society Award list along with 24 other marvelous books! Each year, a committee of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group of the International Literacy Association selects 25 outstanding trade books … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is A Mighty Girl 2021 Book of the Year!

I was thrilled to find that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been selected as a 2021 Book of the Year by A Might Girl! A Mighty Girl has incredible suggestions for books, toys, and movies for smart, confident and courageous girls, and I love that they recommend my books MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, RED, WHITE, AND … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award!

I'm absolutely thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won a 2021 Nerdy in the Poetry/Verse Novel Category! I'm honored that this book of my heart has touched so many. Take a look at all the winners!   … [Read more...]

WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET Wins a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award!

I'm so thrilled that WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET has won a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award in the Fiction Picture Books Category! This story about a girl, her mother, and grandmother who travel together to the very tip of India and share love along the way is very close to my heart. Check out all the winners … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a New York Public Library Best Book of 2021!

I'm so excited and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been chosen by the New York Public Library as a Best Book of 2021! I also have a lot of friends on this list — read the whole list here. Hooray for libraries and beautiful books! … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a School Library Journal Best Middle Grade of 2021!

I'm thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been selected as a Best Middle Grade Book of 2021 by School Library Journal alongside some stellar books by friends! See the whole list here! … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 NCTE Notable Verse Novel!

I'm so honored that the National Council of Teachers of English has named RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as a 2022 Notable Verse Novel alongside some other incredible books! The Poetry Award Committee's criteria included: A narrative told in poetic form. Excellence in writing and emotional impact: … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a BookPage Best Middle Grade of 2021!

I'm thrilled and honored to see RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on BookPage's list of Ten Best Middle Grade and Chapter Books of 2021! They say the book "showcases the best of what verse can do, telling a story that is spare and direct and rings with truth." I'm so incredibly delighted to see RED, WHITE, AND … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a New England Book Award Finalist!

I'm honored and delighted that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been named by the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) as a New England Book Award Finalist! I'm thrilled to see this book of my heart among so many incredible books! The award winners will be announced in the fall. See the … [Read more...]

MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM in The Guardian!

I'm so excited that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM was mentioned in The Guardian on Ali Bejamin's "Top 10 Classic Stories Retold"! This list includes CIRCE by Madeline Miller, THE HOURS by Michael Cunningham, and PRIDE by Ibi Zoboi, so I'm thrilled to see my book in such mighty company! Read the full article … [Read more...]

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS on Betsy Bird’s List of 2020 Math Books for Kids!

I was thrilled to see SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS on this math-tacular list of 2020 Math Books for Kids on Betsy Bird's School Library Journal Blog! The list also includes books from fellow Soaring20s members Christina Soontornvat and Carrie Finison! Read the whole post here. … [Read more...]

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