Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 14

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 students!

Here’s a video I recorded to introduce myself and RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE to Project LIT:

 

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!

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!

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: does the poetry “create images, express feelings, and stir emotions”?*Format that enriches the story in some way.

See the full list here!

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2021!

I’m thrilled beyond BELIEF that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been named a Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2021 alongside some other incredible books! Check out the whole list here!

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 WHOLE next to books my Kwame Mbalia, Laura Amy Schlitz, Nikki Grimes, and Donna Barbra Higuera. See the whole list here.

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS Wins a 2021 Massachusetts Book Award Honor!

I’m so thrilled that SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2021 Massachusetts Book Award Honor title in the Picture Book/Early Reader category! I’m delighted to see my book listed among so many incredible books. Congratulations to all the winners and honor books!

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 in the room. I was introduced by Paul Swydan from The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, and he made me tear up! It was a lovely evening, and I afterwards I had a small celebration at home with bubbly and cupcakes! I’m honored to be in the company of all the incredible finalists, and stunned and thrilled to have my book chosen as the winner! Independent booksellers are the best!!

WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET on Today.com List of Best Books for 5-year-olds!

I was so thrilled to see WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET on this Today.com List of Best Books for 5-Year-Olds in some distinguished company! See the full list here!

MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL on the Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2021!

I was so thrilled to see MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL on the Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2021! Check out the whole list here!