I'm so delighted to share the book trailer for my forthcoming middle grade novel, MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, which will release on June 15, 2021! It's a companion novel to my debut, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, and involves two twelve-year-old math competition rivals who end up on the same summer baseball … [Read more...]
Talking RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE with Laura Pegram of Kweli Journal!
I adored chatting with Laura Pegram of Kweli Journal about writing RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE and all that went into it — including learning about writing verse and researching the medical aspects of the book. We had a wonderful time, despite some minor technical difficulties (some video, some audio). … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on Business Insider’s List of Best New Books of 2021!
I was ecstatic to find RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on this Business Insider List of Best New Books of 2021 along with books by stars such as Oprah, Stephen King, and Angie Thomas! Check out the full list here! … [Read more...]
My Favorite MG Novels in Verse!
I was delighted to be on the PragmaticMom Blog writing about some of my favorite middle grade novels in verse! Check out the post and enter the giveaway! … [Read more...]
Litfest Pasadena Panel on “Modern Kid Lit: Writing from the Heart”
I adored being on this incredible panel of middle grade authors talking about writing from the heart! I joined Mae Respicio, Tracy Holczer, and moderator Dana Middleton...and we even got to discuss chocolate! … [Read more...]
BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS on What to Expect’s List of AAPI Baby Books!
I loved seeing BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS on this list of AAPI authored and illustrated baby books on whattoexpect.com! See below for the kind words about BINA, and read the whole list here. … [Read more...]
Math Joy Book Event with Carrie Finison, Sara Levine, and Silver Unicorn Bookstore!
Carrie Finison, Sara Levine, and I had the best time talking about math, picture books, and joy! Check out the whole event below and order our books from the Silver Unicorn Bookstore! … [Read more...]
The Children’s Book Review Growing Readers Podcast!
I had such a fantastic time chatting with Bianca Schulze on The Children's Book Review Growing Readers Podcast! We spent most of our time discussing BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS, but we also talked for a bit about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE! Listen below, and check out the podcast page for more … [Read more...]
A Beautiful Launch for BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS!!
I had a BALL launching my newest picture book with fantastic Books of Wonder! I got to chat about all kinds of topics with acclaimed author and friend Padma Venkatraman! For a limited time, you can watch the recording of the launch. And you can still order signed copies of BRACELETS FOR BINA’S … [Read more...]
SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS in the 2021 LA Times Festival of Books!
I'm thrilled to participate in the (virtual) 2021 LA Times Festival of Books! I got to read part of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, and share a little bit about the inspiration for this story. Check it out below, and click here to see many other incredible creators read from their books! … [Read more...]
SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS in Chicago Parent!
I was delighted to see SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS on this list of "13 Books to Get Kids Excited About Math" in Chicago Parent! … [Read more...]
A New Picture Book Full of Heart!
I'm so delighted to announce that I have a new nonfiction picture book in the works! As a kid, I fell in love with the wonder of how the human body works. As a doctor and an author, I'm still in awe. I'm so thrilled to share YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART, a poetic picture book tribute to this most … [Read more...]
A Fabulous Interview on the Solve It For Kids Podcast!
I was so thrilled to be on the Solve It For Kids Podcast with Jedlie and Jennifer Swanson! In "Episode 45: How Do You Diagnose Someone?" I talk about being a doctor and the steps I take to diagnose someone's problem. Listen, participate in my challenge to measure your heart rate before and after … [Read more...]
My Interview in Story Monsters Ink Magazine!
I was thrilled to be featured in the April 2021 issue of Story Monsters Ink Magazine talking about my books and my writing journey! … [Read more...]
My Interview about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE with Colby Sharp of Nerdy Book Club!
I was honored and delighted to talk to incredible teacher Colby Sharp of Nerdy Book Club about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE! Check out Colby's book talk on RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE: And tonight, we did a live interview in which I talked about what inspired me to write RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, why … [Read more...]
MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
I'm honored and SO excited that MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and will find its way to libraries and classrooms across the country! This companion novel to MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is a modern, magical take on Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and features … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Finished Copies Arrive!
I was so thrilled to see the finished copies of RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, a book of my heart that will publish with Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins on February 2, 2021! The fact that they arrived on Inauguration Day, when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman, first Black person, and first … [Read more...]
A BookPage STAR for RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE!!
I was stunned by this incredible starred review from BookPage for RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE!! Among the wonderful praise: "The poems in Red, White, and Whole are vibrant and lyrical, clear and smooth. In her first novel in verse, LaRocca (Midsummer’s Mayhem) showcases the best of what verse can do, … [Read more...]
BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS Unboxing!
I got a special delivery from Charlesbridge Publishing, and it is so sweet! Check out the first finished copy of my forthcoming picture book, BRACELETS FOR BINA'S BROTHERS, coming April 20, 2021! … [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...]