Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

A Massachusetts Book Award Honor!

I'm thrilled that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is a Massachusetts Book Award Honor title in Middle Grade/Young Adult category!! The story is set in a fictionalized version of my hometown of Concord, MA, which has always felt magical to me. My friend Kip Wilson's YA novel in verse, WHITE ROSE, earned the other … [Read more...]

The Soaring 20s on KidLitTV!

KidlitTV hosted members of my debut picture book group, The Soaring 20s, on their segment On the LOOKOUT for Kids' Books, Fall 2020! To find out more about my fellow creators' debut books, a few secrets, and some advice for kids, see the whole post here, or check out the individual videos … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal for BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS!

I am delighted to show the world the cover of my forthcoming picture book, BRACELETS FOR BINA'S BROTHERS, gorgeously illustrated by Chaaya Prabbhat and coming April 20, 2021 with Charlesbridge! The story involves one of my favorite Indian holidays—Raksha Bandhan, also knowns as Rakhi, which … [Read more...]

Proud to Be a 2021 WNDB Mentor!

It's so important that children's literature reflects the beautiful diversity of our country and the world. We Need Diverse Books has worked toward that goal since 2014, helping to foster change so that all children can see themselves in books. I'm honored and excited to announce that I will be a … [Read more...]

A New Picture Book Announcement!

I'm utterly thrilled to have another picture book with Candlewick Press! Although Aarav’s always in a hurry and his grandpa likes to take things slow, they find a way to make masala chai together every day. When Thatha gets hurt, chai goes from delicious to undrinkable, until Aarav realizes that … [Read more...]

Legit Kidlit!

I'm honored to be the first guest on Legit Kidlit, where Alexis and Tiffany, two awesome teachers, interview authors and spread book love! Check out Part 1 of my "interview" below, and subscribe to hear more from other wonderful authors! And you can check out Part 2 here, and be sure to … [Read more...]

The First Finished Hardcover of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS!!

I got a special delivery from my editor Cheryl Klein at Lee & Low Books, and I opened it with the help of my dog, Boomer. It was the first finished copy of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, gorgeously illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan, and I couldn't be more delighted!! The book will … [Read more...]

The Inaugural nErDCampPA!!

On July 16, 2020 I was so thrilled to be a part of the first-ever nErdCampPA!! The day started off with an incredible keynote from Paula Chase on "How Convenience is Killing Reading": I participated in five panels, including: "Diversity and #ownvoices in Kidlit" with Mayra Cuevas, … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Cover Reveal and ARC giveaway!

I am utterly thrilled to share the cover of my next middle grade novel, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, coming February 2, 2021 with Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins! RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a novel-in-verse set in 1983 about 13-year-old Reha, the daughter of Indian immigrants, who feels … [Read more...]

nErDCampNJ 2020: Virtual But Valuable!

I was thrilled to participate in nErDCampNJ 2020 with so many amazing authors and educators! Click below to view the panels I participated in: Reading and Writing Verse Novels with Chris Baron and Laura Shovan: Document/Notes Link   Balancing Research and Imagination in Fiction with Josh … [Read more...]

How About Those F & G’s?!

This week I got a very special delivery from my editor at Lee & Low Books! “Folded and Gathered” (F & G) copies of my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, arrived at my house! An F & G is a copy (two copies in my case, which I didn’t realize until I opened … [Read more...]

My Newest Middle Grade Novel!!

I've been sitting on secret wonderful publishing news for a few months, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell the world! I'm overjoyed to announce that the novel of my heart, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, will be published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on February 2, 2021!! RED, WHITE, … [Read more...]

A Fantastic Virtual SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE Book Festival!

Thanks to Blue Bunny Books and the Dedham Public Library, the SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE 3 Book Festival took place virtually on May 16! We started off with an great keynote from Tui Sutherland, who recommended stacks of fantastic books, then proceeded with an excellent panel on contemporary fiction … [Read more...]

The Story Seeds Podcast Bonus Episode: My Interview with Betsy Bird!

I had an absolute ball chatting with super-librarian Betsy Bird on this bonus episode of The Story Seeds Podcast! Listen below to hear us dish about becoming an author, writing tips, and our favorite foods, then subscribe to the podcast to hear more stories from authors collaborating with kids! … [Read more...]

A Book Riot List of Feel-Good Middle Grade Books!

In these days of social distancing and staying at home, I was thrilled to see MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM on this Book Riot list of Feel-Good Middle Grade Books! The list includes some 2019 and 2020 debuts as well as some older books. As the article says, "these feel-good middle grade books are full of heart … [Read more...]

The Soaring20s Take Over The Children’s Book Podcast!

From April 27-May 1, 2020, creators from my debut picture book group, The Soaring20s PB, "took over" The Children's Book Podcast with Matthew Winner! Click the links below to hear my fellow members and me talking about various aspects of our debut picture books, including experiences that inspired … [Read more...]

The Story Seeds Podcast!

Last September, I met with 12 year-old Liyana and wrote a story inspired by the idea she gave me! You can hear some of our conversation at Pippin Vintage Home and hear the story (which involves magic and food, of course) that came from that "seed" by clicking below. Check out more photos and … [Read more...]

My Webinar on Writing Picture Books with the Highlights Foundation!

I was honored to give a free webinar through the Highlights Foundation on writing picture books—a topic that is very near and dear to my heart! I hope to inspire both new and experienced picture book writers with my presentation, "So You Want to Write a Picture Book?" You can watch the whole … [Read more...]

Long List for the Massachusetts Book Award!

I'm honored that the Massachusetts Center for the Book has selected MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM for the long list for the 2020 Massachusetts Book Award for MG/YA Literature! There are so many incredible MA authors, and I'm so thrilled to be one of twelve "Must-Reads" on this list with the likes of Susan Tan, … [Read more...]

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