Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 28

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, AND WHOLE is about America and India, heritage and fitting in, Hindu mythology and 80’s pop music, holding on and letting go. I’m honored to work on it with editors Alexandra Cooper, Rosemary Brosnan, and the incredible team at Quill Tree Books, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!

There will be a cover reveal coming soon, and my newsletter subscribers will get a sneak peek and a chance to win an ARC before anyone else! Sign up for my newsletter today!

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 and nonfiction with Kate Allen, Janae Marks, Erin Dionne, Ammi-Joan Paquette, and Elly Swartz. I loved being on a panel discussing fantasy/sci-fi/adventure stories with Elinor Teele, Abby Cooper, Jarrett Lerner, Claribel Ortega, and Gregory Mone. We finished up with some words from wonderful Peter Reynolds!

It was a fabulous afternoon for everyone, including me! Books from all the panelists are available to purchase at this Bookshop.org listing.

 

My TV Baking Dreams Come True!

I loved being on Kidlit TV‘s StoryMakers in the Kitchen with host Rocco Staino to live out my fantasy of being on a fun baking show!! Watch the episode to see me make gulab jamun cupcakes straight from the pages of MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM!! And check out the full post to learn more about the book, download the recipe, and bake along with us!

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!

The Kids Ask Authors Podcast!

I had a ball talking to Grace Lin about our favorite foods on her Kids Ask Authors Podcast! Take a listen below, and visit the website to subscribe and listen to more authors answer questions from kids!

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 and happiness, and they’re sure to bring a smile to your face. Something I know we could all use a lot of right now!” Check out the full list here!

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 our stories; what our stories taught us about craft; details from our lives that made it into our stories; moments from childhood expressed in our stories; and how we hope readers and teachers will connect with our books. I hope you enjoy listening and connecting with these incredible creators as much as I did!

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 information and subscribe to hear even more stories at The Story Seeds Podcast, and stay tuned for bonus material next week!!

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 presentation by clicking below or going here. I hope you enjoy it, and happy writing!

 

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, Jeff Kinney, Ali Benjamin, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Kip WIlson, and others! Check out the whole list here!