Rajani LaRocca's Blog

My Interview with Arun Rath on WGBH Boston!

I was so delighted to be interviewed by Arun Rath on WGBH Boston’s All Things Considered.

The experience of reading SOME OF US aloud with Arun is indescribably thrilling, and it gave me the chills to listen to the recording! We also talked about what this book means to me personally and what I hope readers get from it.

Talking about this book on public radio encapsulates the best of what the United States stands for — freedom, justice, and diversity. The book is a celebration of the American Dream that includes all of us.

I hope you enjoy listening.

My Interview on WBZ-TV Boston!

I loved being on WBZ-TV Boston with Anna Meiler and Tammy Mutasa talking about writing and books, including my forthcoming nonfiction picture book about immigration and naturalization, SOME OF US!!

I also talked about my YA novel coming next year, and gave a shoutout to The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!!

A STAR for FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS!

The first trade review is in for FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, and it’s a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus Reviews!

This sweet story features Ravi, the protagonist from SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, as he navigates the beginning of school and the beginning of friendship. Abhi Alwar’s energetic illustrations are perfect! The book releases August 5 and is available for preorder today!

The Book Trailer for SOME OF US!

I’m delighted to share the book trailer for SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND THE UNITED STATES!!

This book means so much to everyone working on it, and we can’t wait to share it with the world!!

SOME OF US releases May 27; please preorder today!!

Join me for the book launch at Silver Unicorn Bookstore on June 7 at 11 AM! Even if you can’t make it, preorder from them for a signed copy!!

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on the Today Show!!

I’m SO thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is on the 2025 Read With Jenna Jr Summer Reading List as announced on the Today Show!! I’m particularly honored that Jenna mentioned that her daughter read RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE and loved it, and recommended that Savannah read it with her daughter!

Over the moon that this book of my heart is going to be discovered by more readers!

A Third Star for SOME OF US!

I’m just blown away that SOME OF US has received a THIRD starred review—this one from School Library Journal!

SOME OF US releases May 27 and is available for preorder today!

SOME OF US is an Indie Next Pick!

I’m SO thrilled that SOME OF US is a KIDS’ INDIE NEXT pick for May/June 2025!! Huge thanks to the American Booksellers Association and all the independent booksellers who voted for it!!

SOME OF US releases on May 27 and is available for preorder today! Please preorder at your local independent bookstore, or, if you’d like a signed copy, at my local indie, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!

Another STAR for SOME OF US!

So honored that SOME OF US has received another starred review—this one from Kirkus Reviews!

SOME OF US releases on May 27 and is available for preorder today! Please join me for the June 7 launch at Silver Unicorn Bookstore!

A STARRED REVIEW for SOME OF US!

SOME OF US has received its first trade review, and it’s a STAR from Publishers Weekly! They call it “an elegantly limned work about U.S. citizenship.”

I can’t tell you how important this book is to me, and in these times, the information is more important than ever.

If you can, please preorder this book from your local independent bookstore. Join me on June 7 at 11 AM for the launch at Silver Unicorn Bookstore. Even if you can’t attend, please preorder and you’ll get a signed copy!

Read the full review here!

The Cover Reveal for FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS!

I’m delighted to share the cover of Fall Is For Beginnings, my forthcoming picture book with amazing Abhi Alwar!

Ravi can’t wait for the start of the new school year! Fall is for cool weather, new school supplies, and spending time with his best friend, Joe. But when a new girl named Ellie joins their class, Ravi and Joe’s duo suddenly becomes a trio.

Ravi’s not so sure about Ellie—she plays her horn too loud in music lessons and gets them lost on the way to class. Worst of all, she keeps saying she’s Joe and Ravi’s best friend.

All these big changes are challenging for Ravi, but with time (and a little help from his wise older sister) he realizes that fall is the perfect time to begin a new friendship.

From the award-winning team behind Summer Is for Cousins, this heartwarming picture book all about back-to-school fun celebrates the (sometimes complicated) joy of making new friends.

Fall Is For Beginnings releases August 5, 2025 and is available for preorder now!