I’m very happy to welcome Rajani LaRocca today and share our interview. She recently presented an informative and insightful webinar for Julie Hedlund’s 12x12PB which gave me some wonderful ideas for revising as well as a peek into her amazing books. Rajani is the author of 5 picture books that are out or will be by the end of 2021 and her third middle grade novel, MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL is being released on Tuesday, June 15. I’m going to celebrate this book birthday with a salty treat instead of cake. Read the book and you’ll understand why. I highly recommend MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL and it’s the perfect companion to MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, which I thoroughly enjoyed two summers ago. These two will be perfect sitting side-by-side on the bookshelf. Do yourself a favor and order them both.
Rajani has generously offered one lucky winner a query + 10 page critique for a MG novel. Comment on this post to enter the giveaway.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
When I was that age, I loved math and science and already knew I wanted to become a doctor when I grew up. But I also adored books and read anything and everything I could get my hands on—fiction, nonfiction, comic books, comic strips, receipts, cereal boxes…anything.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by my experiences as a child of immigrants growing up in the U.S., my experiences as a mother and a food lover, by science (especially biology) and math and the natural world, by my children and the stories I loved as a child.
What’s one thing you hope readers take away from your books?
I hope MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL is a fun, fast read. I hope readers enjoy the story of two kids who have so much in common but who can’t become friends without a little help from others. I hope they enjoy the baseball, the math puzzles, and the tie-ins to the events of Midsummer’s Mayhem.
Most importantly, I want my readers to understand that they don’t have to be perfect to be loved, that friendship can overcome misunderstanding, and that forgiveness is important, especially when it comes to forgiving yourself.
What’s next for you?
I have three more books coming this year! They’re all picture books:
- WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET, a story about a girl who travels with her mother and grandmother to Kanyakumari at the very tip of India, where three oceans meet, and what she learns along the way about the love and strength that mothers and daughters share across distance and time. This story is gorgeously illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan and releases on August 24, 2021 from Abrams Books for Young Readers
- MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS – a picture book biography of our incredible Vice President, illustrated by Ashley Evans and releasing August 31, 2021!
- THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU, a rhyming nonfiction picture book about DNA, beautifully illustrated by Steven Salerno. This book introduces kids to the concept of DNA and genetics, but also touches on the limits of our genes and how our choices also help determine who we are. It releases September 14, 2021.
- My next middle grade with Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins is about musical twin sisters who switch places at their summer camp. It will be out in 2022!
To connect with Rajani and learn more about her books:
Website: https://www.RajaniLaRocca.com Twitter: @rajanilarocca Instagram: @rajanilarocca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajanilaroccawriter Clubhouse: @rlarocca
Laura Roettiger Books 
I love the message of “you don’t have to be perfect to be loved!” ❤ You have such a beautiful wide array of stories, something for everyone! My son and I are currently reading Red, White, and Whole and are loving it. Looking forward to your new books and thank you both for sharing this great interview!
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Thanks for reading, Heather! I haven’t red Red, White, and Whole yet but it’s on my TBR shelf. I love, love, love MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thank you for a wonderful interview, Laura! Congratulations Rajani! I’m inspired by some of the same things. I was lucky enough to catch Rajani speaking on a Clubhouse chat yesterday which was so great. I look forward to some great reading ahead! All the best and thanks for the opportunity! I wrote a chapter book which I hope qualifies for the give-away 🙂 Thanks, Rosanna Montanaro
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Thanks for reading and sharing your Clubhouse chat experience. I’m going to need to find out more about that. I’m not even familiar with it! Yes, I think a chapter book would be fine for the giveaway. Good luck.
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Rajani is a fabulous writer and a lovely person. it’s no wonder her books are so good! Cheers!
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Yes and yes! Good luck in the giveaway, Jilanne.
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I have enjoyed two of Rajani’s book so far, simply because I have only read 2 of her books. Red, White, and Whole is an amazing work on heart. I love that story so much. Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers is a wonderful story about perseverance, thoughtfulness, and I love the math elements (teacher bias kicking in). I just received Midsummer’s Mayhem, and I’m sure I will enjoy as much as the other books I’ve read by Rajani.
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Donnetta, thank you for reading. I hope this isn’t a spoiler, but there’s a lot of fun math in MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL. I’m also a teacher and know how exactly what you mean! Good luck in the giveaway and feel free to check out other open giveaways.
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Thank you! I will!
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I am so excited for this book! Not only does it have an important message but it also embraces my favorite pastime of baseball. Nobody understood why I loved baseball so much. It was one of my loves that made me an outsider.
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I love baseball, too! Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway!
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Congratulations on your success, Rajani! It’s well deserved.
I recently watched your webinar about revision – I’m working on an MG novel that could use some fresh eyes…hoping to incorporate some of your great advice.
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Thanks for reading, Dina. I agree the webinar was so informative. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Congrats Rajani! It sounds like a great book for kids. Wow you have a lot of up coming projects! Good luck on them!
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Thanks for reading, Natalie. Rajani is clearly way more productive that I am! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Congrats Rajani! Good Luck on all your other projects! Your book looks great for kids!
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I heard Rajani speak at a 12×12 webinar and she was wonderful. So inspiring!
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Dina, I agree! The webinar was excellent. Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway.
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I loved RED WHITE & WHOLE. I can’t wait to read your other novels! Thanks for this great post.
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Maria, thanks so much for reading. I still need to read RED, WHITE & WHOLE and am definitely looking forward to it. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’m reading Red, White, and Whole right now! Can’t wait to read Rajani’s new MG novel as well!
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Can’t wait to read! Congrats!
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Anita, thanks for visiting my blog and reading this post. I loved reading MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL! Good luck in the giveaway.
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I watched Rajani’s 12×12 webinar twice, it was such a joy. I am sure Much Ado About Baseball will be well received. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
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Sean, what a wonderful thing to say. Thank you for reading and I agree, it’s sure to be loved by all. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thanks so much for your kind comments, everyone!
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Well deserved!!
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You are having the best writing year ever, Rajani!! Now where you make the time for all these marvelous words & your other job is beyond me, LOL! But whatever it is you’re doing, keep it up! Congrats on a banner summer!
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Jennifer, I think this is proof that if you want something done, give it to a busy person! Plus Rajani is an amazing talent. I’m definitely inspired. 😊 thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway.
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