Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 4

A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY is a Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book of 2023!

So honored that A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY written by me and illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte, is on Chicago Public Library’s Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2023 along with so many incredible books!

YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART is an NCTE 2024 Notable Poetry Book!

I’m so honored and thrilled that YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART, written by me and gorgeously illustrated by Lauren Paige Conrad, has been selected as an NCTE 2024 Notable Poetry Book!

An Incredible NCTE 2023!

I went to Columbus, OH for 3 days, 3 signings, 8 panels, and uncountable chances to connect with educators and author friends!

I got to hang out near the big poster of SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS! My next MG, a fantasy, releases March 5, 2024!

I got to stand next to a life-size Mrs. Z! ROHAN MURTHY HAS A PLAN releases on May 28!

I got to sign copies of MASALA CHAI, FAST AND SLOW and WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET!

And I learned that YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART, written by me and illustrated by Lauren Paige Conrad, is a 2024 NCTE Notable Book in Poetry!

Most of all, I was honored to take part in so many deeply meaningful discussions about books and the writing life.

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A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY on NPR’s Science Friday!

A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY, written by me and illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte, was featured on this week’s Science Friday as a Best STEM Book of 2023! The list includes THE FIRE OF STARS by Kirsten W. Larson and Katherine Roy and GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE by Laurie Wallmark and Katy Wu!Listen to my friend Jen Swanson talk about her favorite science books, and be sure to check out hers! Jen is an incredible author and nonfiction maven!You can also watch the recorded Zoom video below!

The 2023 EVkids Gala!

I was incredibly honored to be selected as the EVkids 2023 Youth Champion and give the keynote address at the 2023 EVkids Expanding Horizons Gala. The theme this year was “Ready to Launch” — and thanks to the support of many incredible benefactors, we raised over $240,000 to help continue EVkids important work for young people in Boston!

I love being an EVkids supporter and cheerleader! You can see my keynote speech below.

SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS Is a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023!

I’m over the moon that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, written by me and illustrated by Abhi Alwar, is on the Publishers Weekly list of Best Books of 2023! Hooray for sunny days, family, and ice cream!

The 2023 Massachusetts Book Awards!

What an amazing day at the Massachusetts Book Awards at the Massachusetts Statehouse today! I got to celebrate I’LL GO AND COME BACK winning the Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader category, and hang out with a bunch of stellar authors including Jane Yolen Heidi Stemple Malinda Lo Carrie Finison Kelly Carey Josh Funk Michelle Cusolito Diana Renn Betty T. Yee and more!I was so thrilled to be joined by my wonderful husband, dad, and Kamala Auntie, visiting from India! I’LL GO AND COME BACK was inspired by my relationship with my grandmother, my Sita Pati, who was my mom’s (and Kamala Auntie’s) mom.Huge thanks to Sara Palacios for her gorgeous illustrations, and Candlewick Press for publishing the book so beautifully! And thank you to the Massachusetts Center for the Book for this incredible honor!

A Free School Visit Opportunity with Kate Messner and Rajani LaRocca This Spring!

 Last week, THE KIDS IN MRS. Z’S CLASS, a multi-author chapter book series, was announced!

One third grade classroom.

18 amazing kids.

18 secrets.

18 stories, each written by a different beloved author.

 

Check out the article about the series in Publishers Weekly!

Kate Messner is writing the first and last books in the series as well as coordinating the team and overlapping stories. Book one, EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT, written by Kate and book two, ROHAN MURTHY HAS A PLAN, written by me, come out together on June 11, 2024!

And here’s even more exciting news!

In the weeks before the series launch, Kate and I will be hitting the road together to visit schools all over New York and New England! We’ll share a sneak preview with readers, offer a look behind the scenes at our writing process, and lead kids in a writing workshop to develop their own characters for collaborative writing with their friends.

We’ll also be offering a virtual author visit option for schools around the country, including a recorded author visit to share with readers this spring AND an invitation to participate in live Q&A at a Zoom webinar with series authors in October 2024.

Want us to visit YOUR school this spring? Just fill out this form, and we promise to be in touch soon with more information. We’ll work with our publisher this fall to select schools for our in-person book tour and send out invitations for our virtual author visits. Finally, please be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter for updates on THE KIDS IN MRS. Z’S CLASS tour and other opportunities for free & low-cost author visit opportunities.

Kate and I have had so much fun working on this new series together, and we can’t wait for you to meet Emma, Rohan, and all of their friends!

Meet THE KIDS IN MRS. Z’S CLASS!

It’s a SERIES announcement and a COVER REVEAL! I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of THE KIDS IN MRS. Z’S CLASS, a multi-author chapter book series launching from Algonquin Young Readers in June 2024!

The stories are about a group of kids in the same 3rd grade class. The series is edited by amazing Cheryl Klein and overseen by incredible author and human, Kate Messner! Each book is written by a different renowned author, including Kate Messer, William Alexander, Tracey Baptiste, Martha Brockenbrough, Joseph Bruchac, Lamar Giles, Mike Jung, Karina Yan Glaser, Hena Khan, Kyle Lukoff, Kekla Magoon, Meg Medina, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Eliot Schrefer, Laurel Snyder, Linda Urban, and me! All the the books will be illustrated by awesome Kat Fajardo!

The series launches with the first two books on June 12, 2024! The first book, written by Kate Messner, is EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT, about a young cheerleader who goes to a new school only to find that her ex-best friend is there, too. My book, ROHAN MURTHY HAS A PLAN, is about a young entrepreneur who wants to start a pet care business to raise money for the school garden—but things don’t quite work out as planned.

Check out the article about the series in Publishers Weekly!

I’LL GO AND COME BACK Wins the Massachusetts Book Award!

I’m SO thrilled that I’LL GO AND COME BACK has won the 2023 Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Readers category!This book is so close to my heart and was inspired by my relationship with my grandmother. It’s a story about love that grows despite distance, and how we don’t have to say goodbye, but rather leave each other with the promise of return.Congratulations to Christine McDonnell and Maya Tatsukawa on their beautiful Honor books!Huge thanks to Massachusetts Center for the Book and Candlewick Press!

I’m looking forward to the awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House next month!