Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 8

Dedham, MA Barnes & Noble Reading & Signing!

I had a lovely time reading and signing books at the brand-new Dedham, Massachusetts Barnes & Noble!

 

NCTE National Convention!

I had an amazing time in Anaheim, California, at the NCTE National Convention. I had the pleasure of being on two super-star-packed panels: “Book Banning and Erasure of the Whole Child” and “Underrepresented Authors on Diversity in STEM/STEAM Fiction and Nonfiction.” It was a real treat to see old friends and make new ones!

New York State Reading Association Conference and a Charlotte Award nomination!

I was so excited to attend the NY State Reading Association Conference, where I presented, signed books, and mingled with other authors and book-lovers. I’m thrilled that my picture book SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2023 New York State Charlotte Award nominee!

VCFA WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency!

I had a fantastic time at the  Vermont College of the Fine Arts’ WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency. I was honored to be the Guest Author at this four-day conference, and it was fun spending time with agents, editors, VCFA faculty, and alumni. We gave and listened to lectures, chatted about craft and the writing life, and hung out. And yes, there was karaoke!

 

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE wins the Massachusetts Book Award!

I’m so delighted and honored that the Massachusetts Center for the Book has chosen RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as the winner of the Massachusetts Book Award in Middle Grade/Young Adult Literature! Having this book of my heart win this award in my home state means so much to m. Huge congratulations to all the Must-Read and Honor titles! I can’t wait for the awards ceremony on January 18 at the Massachusetts State House!

 

Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at the Concord Festival of Authors!

I was so honored to give the Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at my hometown Concord Free Public Library as part of the Concord Festival of Authors! I loved talking about my path to becoming an author (with Thoreau looking over my shoulder!) and connecting with readers young and young at heart!

Boston Book Festival!

Perfect fall weather provided a lovely backdrop for the Boston Book Festival on October 29, 2022! I loved talking about verse novels and poetry with awesome authors Rebecca Caprara and Kip Wilson, and I got to reconnect with many other kidlit authors!

 

I’LL GO AND COME BACK Art Featured at the Society of Illustrators!

Sara Palacios’s gorgeous artwork for I’LL GO AND COME BACK is currently on show at the Society of Illustrators in New York City! Her work is part of the “The Original Art 2022” exhibit of children’s book illustration. If you’re in the city, be sure to check it out. (The last day to take advantage of the exhibit is December 23rd.)

I’LL GO AND COME BACK a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022!

It was a thrill seeing I’LL GO AND COME BACK included on the Chicago Public Library list of Best Picture Books of 2022!

River Bend Bookshop!

I had a ball hanging out on a lovely fall Sunday with friends Josh Funk and Elly Swartz at River Bend Bookshop, a wonderful independent bookstore in Glastonbury, CT! We read our books aloud, met readers, signed books, and had so much fun!