Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

A Dazzling Launch for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!!

Such a wonderful launch of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!! What a fantastic evening we had! I was grateful to see so many people despite the soggy weather. I did my first-ever presentation about SONA and answered so many thoughtful questions from Casey Robinson and … [Read more...]

The Trailer for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!!

I'm OVERJOYED to share the dazzling trailer for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS! The trailer was created by amazing Dan Haring and the incredible cover art is by Nidhi Naroth. SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS releases in one week on March 5, 2024, and is available for preorder today! Please join me at … [Read more...]

Finished Copies of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

A delivery came today from Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins — finished copies of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!! It’s so amazing to hold the finished book in my hands, and it is GORGEOUS!! I’m so excited for readers to get their hands on my first fantasy adventure. While there’s plenty of action and … [Read more...]

Another STAR for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

I'm utterly thrilled that Sona and the Golden Beasts has received a second starred review—this one from Booklist! The complete review will be published soon, but in the meantime I'm reveling in the conclusion that the story is "a meaningful and magical exploration of tough topics through a memorable … [Read more...]

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title!

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is an annual award given by the Cooperative Children's Book Center for "outstanding writing in a picture book for children in the birth-through-seven age range published in the United States or Canada." This year, the winner is Just Like Grandma, written by my friend Kim … [Read more...]

A STAR for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!

The first trade review for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is in, and it's a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus Reviews! I'm so thrilled about this stellar news—the full review is amazing! My middle grade fantasy with magic, myths, colonization, creatures, family, friendship, love, and betrayal releases 3/5/24 … [Read more...]

SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

I'm absolutely elated that SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! This means that many more classrooms, libraries, and readers will have access to it. My next MG novel is set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world with dangerous magic, mythical beasts, love, … [Read more...]

An Incredible NCTE 2023!

I went to Columbus, OH for 3 days, 3 signings, 8 panels, and uncountable chances to connect with educators and author friends! I got to hang out near the big poster of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS! My next MG, a fantasy, releases March 5, 2024! I got to stand next to a life-size Mrs. Z! ROHAN … [Read more...]

The Book Trailer for MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW!

I'm delighted to share the incredible book trailer for MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW! This book about family, patience, and chai is beautifully illustrated by Neha Rawat and releases from Candlewick on September 5, 2023! The trailer was created by my amazing friend, Dan … [Read more...]

The Book Trailer for THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS!

I'm so thrilled to share the incredible book trailer for THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS, an epistolary middle grade novel co-written with my amazing friend Chris Baron! This wonderful book will release on August 29 and is available for preorder today! The trailer was created by our fabulous friend, … [Read more...]

A SUPER launch for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!

On a gorgeous May morning, Abhi Alwar and I launched our sweet summertime story, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, NY! We talked about the inspiration for the story, did a reading, and Abhi did an illustration demo with ALL SEVEN COUSINS in the story! Afterwards, we enjoyed … [Read more...]

NCTE National Convention!

I had an amazing time in Anaheim, California, at the NCTE National Convention. I had the pleasure of being on two super-star-packed panels: "Book Banning and Erasure of the Whole Child" and "Underrepresented Authors on Diversity in STEM/STEAM Fiction and Nonfiction." It was a real treat to see old … [Read more...]

Boston Book Festival!

Perfect fall weather provided a lovely backdrop for the Boston Book Festival on October 29, 2022! I loved talking about verse novels and poetry with awesome authors Rebecca Caprara and Kip Wilson, and I got to reconnect with many other kidlit authors!   … [Read more...]

Chappaqua Book Festival!

I had a ball at the amazing, incredible Chappaqua Book Festival on a perfect fall day! I joined over a hundred other authors and met so many amazing readers! What a celebration of children's literature!   … [Read more...]

Highlights Retreat!

I went to Highlights in September with a bunch of writer friends: Chris Baron, Josh Levy, Cory Leonardo, and Naomi Milliner. Our debut novels all published in 2019, and we have been meeting once a year at Highlights since 2018! (We skipped 2020, of course). We spent the weekend catching up and … [Read more...]

Radio Boston Interview!

I loved speaking with host Tiziana Dearing on WBUR Radio Boston today about writing books for young people and how my different identities as an Indian-American, woman, mother, and doctor influence my writing. We chatted specifically about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, WHERE THREE … [Read more...]

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