Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 6
June 23, 2023
The Cover Reveal for SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS!
I am absolutely elated to revel the GORGEOUS cover of my forthcoming middle grade fantasy, SONA AND THE GOLDEN BEASTS, which will release from Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins on March 12, 2024! Set in an Indian-inspired fantasy world, the story involves animals and adventure, music and magic, colonialism and greed. Inspired by my feelings about the colonial history of India, it poses the question: Who gets to tell the history of a place?
Check out the cover reveal video below, and preorder today!
May 24, 2023
Crafting Verse Novels at the Highlights Foundation!
The inaugural Crafting Verse Novels Workshop and Retreat, taught by Chris Baron, Cordelia Jensen, and me took place on May 21-24, 2023 at the Highlights Foundation . . . and it was fantastic! Chris, Cordelia, and I met with 18 verse novelists discussion craft, reading, writing, and publishing. We shared stories and delicious meals and had a wonderful time!
May 22, 2023
SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS on THE TODAY SHOW!
I’m absolutely thrilled that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, written by me and beautifully illustrated by Abhi Alwar, is on the Read With Jenna Junior Summer 2023 Reading List along with 23 other amazing books, several of which are written by friends!
It was a dream come true to see our book on national TV!! Summer is the perfect time for cousins and ice cream and reading! Check out the full list below!
May 21, 2023
A SUPER launch for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!
On a gorgeous May morning, Abhi Alwar and I launched our sweet summertime story, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, NY! We talked about the inspiration for the story, did a reading, and Abhi did an illustration demo with ALL SEVEN COUSINS in the story! Afterwards, we enjoyed delectable ice cream from Malai Ice Cream and signed lots of books! We are so grateful for all the family, friends, and readers who came out to celebrate with us! SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is available now and can be bought wherever books are sold!
May 16, 2023
A New Picture Book on Naturalization!
I’m SO thrilled that SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND AMERICA will be illustrated by amazing Huy Voun Lee and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2025!
As an immigrant and a naturalized citizen, this book is very important to me, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!
April 3, 2023
A THIRD STAR for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!!
I’m humbled and thrilled that Abhi Alwar and I have received a THIRD starred review, this one from Booklist, for our forthcoming picture book, SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, releasing May 16, 2023 from Abrams Books! I’m so delighted that this sweet book about summer, family, and ice cream is resonating with reviewers, and I can’t wait for it to reach readers!
March 30, 2023
The Cover Reveal for THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS!!!
I am THRILLED to share the EPIC cover of THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS, an epistolary middle grade novel co-written by my amazing friend Chris Baron and me, coming August 29, 2023 from Yellow Jacket/Little Bee Books!
Nerdy Book Club graciously hosted our cover reveal interview! Read it to find out the inspiration for this book, our writing process, and much more!
March 28, 2023
A Booklist STAR for A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY!!
March 24, 2023
Another STAR for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS!!
I’m so delighted that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, written by me and illustrated by amazing Abhi Alwar, has earned a second starred review, this one from Publishers Weekly! Our story about summer, family, and ice cream releases on May 16, 2023 and is available for preorder today!
March 21, 2023
An Amazing Launch for MIRROR TO MIRROR!
What a launch day for MIRROR TO MIRROR! A school visit with Copper Dog Books, signing books at The Concord Bookshop, and a fabulous IN PERSON launch last night at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!! I’m so grateful for everyone who came, especially Casey Robinson, who interviewed me about writing MIRROR TO MIRROR; Theresa Milstein, friend and critique partner extraordinaire who helped me so much with this story; and friends Hayley Barrett, Mia Wenjen, Rebecca Caprara, Jenn De Leon, Desmond Hall, and more! I loved sharing this book with everyone, and I’m so grateful it’s out in the world!
