Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 23
February 3, 2021
World Read Aloud Day 2021!
I visited 17 classrooms across the country for World Read Aloud Day 2021! I read from MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE, and even gave some classes a taste of my forthcoming MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL! I had such a wonderful time interacting with teachers and students, and I was so energized and inspired by young readers and those who take so much care to teach them. I can’t wait until next year’s WRAD!
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YA Books Central Interview and GIVEAWAY!
I loved chatting with YA Books Central about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE and how I wrote it! Be sure to enter the giveaway!
My Guest Post on The Nerd Daily!
I was excited to write a guest post on The Nerd Daily on “Writing the Books You Needed as a Kid.” You can learn about the books I loved as a kid, and why I write the books I do today!
February 2, 2021
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on YAYOMG!
I had a wonderful time on YAYOMG, a fantastic blog for tweens, talking about “7 Fun Facts About RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE!” Check it out to see some photos of 13-year-old me!
January 29, 2021
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Review on the Reading Middle Grade Blog!
I was honored to see this fantastic review on one of my favorite middle grade blogs, Reading Middle Grade! Subscribe to Afoma’s newsletter for fantastic lists and interviews!
January 27, 2021
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 math, baseball, and salty snacks!
January 26, 2021
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on the Children’s Book Corner Blog!
I loved chatting about RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE with Judy Bradbury on her Children’s Book Corner blog! In addition to asking some fantastic questions about writing, Judy includes classroom exercises as well as poetry and verse novel recommendations. Read the whole post here!
January 20, 2021
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 Indian-American Vice President of the United States, made it even more special!
January 14, 2021
Lots of Lists for RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE!
I’m honored to see RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on so many “Anticipated” lists for 2021! Check them out below:
Forever and Everly “2021Books to Look Out For”
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Litericious “Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021”
Just Another Teen Reading “Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading in 2021”
Darshana Khiani – South Asian Kidlit Winter 2021
Lyrical Reads “Show Me the Middle Grade: Finding Home”
Beagles and Books “What Are You Reading”
Books Are Magic “Most Anticipated Releases of 2021”
Book Riot’s “8 Memorable Books About Grief”
January 12, 2021
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, telling a story that is spare, direct and true, every word and idea placed with intentional care. Reha’s narration shines with honest emotion, and its tenderness calls out to readers and invites them to feel what she feels at every turn.”
Read the full whole review here!
