Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

A Star for I’LL GO AND COME BACK!

I'm thrilled and honored that my forthcoming picture book, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, has received a STARRED review from Publishers Weekly! This story, inspired by my own grandmother, is about a grandmother and granddaughter, and loves that flies across the world. I'LL GO AND COME BACK is gorgeously … [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...]

My interview on Voice of America’s “Dropping In” with Diane Dewey!

I loved talking to Diane Dewey on her show "Dropping In" on Voice of America. We chatted about writing, family, "otherness," and food (of course!) and my books WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, and MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM! Listen to the full interview here!   … [Read more...]

A HUGE Giveaway to End 2021!

2021 has been quite a year . . . in the midst of some very difficult times, I've been very grateful to release SIX books this year! To celebrate, I'm giving away a bundle of signed copies all eight of my books, including my novels MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2021 Project LIT Book Club Selection!

I'm honored and thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2021 Project LIT Book Club Selection! Project LIT is a grassroots literacy movement that includes more than 2,000 schools (or chapters) across all 50 states, along with a few international chapters! I'm so thrilled to connect with teachers and … [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 the Winner of the 2021 New England Book Award in Middle Grade!

I'm SO honored and overjoyed that the New England Independent Booksellers Association has chosen RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as the winner of the 2021 New England Book Award in Middle Grade! The winners were announced at NEIBA's Masked Ball, and although the event was virtual, we could all feel the love … [Read more...]

I talk Middle Grade with my Agent via the Norfolk Library!

I had a fantastic time talking about middle grade books and the author-agent relationship with my agent, Brent Taylor as part of the Norfolk Library's "What's On Your Bookshelf." Check out our conversation! … [Read more...]

Bath Book Bash 2021!

I had such an incredible time at the 2021 Bath Book Bash! We were blessed with gorgeous weather and a huge crowd of book lovers! There were panels, arts and crafts, and lots of book signings! I was so grateful to see writer friends in person on a beautiful September day! … [Read more...]

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