Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
The realistic characters and complex family dynamics augment the tightly knit plot, and the mouthwatering descriptions of food are guaranteed to make readers hungry. . .A delectable treat for food and literary connoisseurs alike.
Kirkus, Starred Review
Praise for The Secret Code Inside You
Dynamic and eye-catching . . . A solid introduction to a complex topic.
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Bracelets for Bina's Brothers
The vibrant colors and perky tone of this culturally specific yet universally appealing book make for a fun read-aloud with a bit of a math lesson sneaked in.
Booklist Review
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Truly, one of the most heart-expanding stories ever, filled with kindness, music, mythology, all of those things. But above all, here is a story of love, and the ways in which it transcends nationalities, age, science, and fear. In LaRocca’s gifted hands, her Reha shows us how to live in the world, even when it feels divided, even then.
Kathi AppeltNational Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor-winning author of The Underneath and Keeper
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
This was such a beautifully written and heartbreaking story. For kids experiencing or who have experienced a parent who has suffered from cancer, or ever felt torn between two places. A novel of family, friendship, and grief. Set in the 1980’s which is a perfect time to set a story like this one.
Lauren Nopenz Fairley, Curious Iguana, Frederick, Maryland
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Don’t mind me, I’m just over here crying. What an incredibly beautiful, intense read. I’m in awe of how much LaRocca manages to fit into so few words, from Reha’s different friendships to her family connections to all the wonderful retellings of Indian stories. Every single metaphor is perfect, from the moon to the different blood cells. I can see this book being a great tool for writing teachers as well as an inspiration for young readers to look to stories and poetry for comfort in dif… Read more
Cecilia Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
Praise for Midsummer’s Mayhem
Taking its inspiration from one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Midsummer’s Mayhem is a sweet and fun story about mistaken identity, bumpy romance, and the everyday magic of baking.
Barbara Deeauthor of Star-Crossed and Maybe He Just Likes You
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
Enchantment reigns, yet the author’s exploration of family, friendship, and self-esteem are firmly grounded in reality.
Publishers Weekly Review
Praise for Much Ado About Baseball
In addition to the wonders of the game, readers will encounter magical delights like fairy dust, a Fountain of Youth, Books of Power and mildly poisonous snacks.
Linda Sue Park in the New York Times Book Review
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Beautiful, tender novel in verse about a girl born in America to Indian parents. She feels the tug of the children of immigrants, needing to belong, and also strives for knowledge and the ability to help others. Her mother’s illness is movingly portrayed, as is the love and care her community gives to her (both from family friends, her auntie, and her school). This novel bursts with love and devotion.
Robin Stern, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
This book is a marvel — at once so rich and so spare. A coming of age story, a family story, a story of America, of science, of friendship, of courage, of culture, of aspiration.
Ali BenjaminNational Book Award Finalist author of The Thing About Jellyfish
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Rajani LaRocca’s RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE explores the difficulties and joys experienced by immigrants through the eyes of Reha. Reha is of two worlds, her parents are from India but she was born in the US, and she often finds herself torn between the two. She has two best friends, one she sees during the week at school and one she sees on weekends when she spends time with other Indian families, and feels like she lives two different lives. When her mother gets a scary medical diagnosis Reha decid… Read more
Faith Parke-Dodge, Page 158 Books, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
An absolute delight—LaRocca’s delectable debut is whimsical, frothy, and so much fun. An inventive take on a classic comedy, Midsummer’s Mayhem is a sweetly-told tale of family, friendship, and following your passion. This is a book for the dreamers and doers alike; effervescent, full of heart, and ultimately joyful.
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovichauthor of Two Naomis and Eighth-Grade Superzero
Praise for Seven Golden Rings
LaRocca’s story, cast in the cadence of classic folktales, is enlivened by the contrast of Sreenivasan’s cartoon illustrations, which render tableaux in a magenta-tinged palette. A deft and engaging introduction to a sometimes flummoxing subject.
Publishers Weekly STARRED Review
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
The list you could write of all the ways this book beautifully addresses a young girl who is trapped between being from a country she no longer lives in and living in a country she doesn’t quite feel she belongs may almost end up longer than this book. The layers of metaphor, stories, and a young girl you cannot help but love and cheer for; this book is something special.
Nichole Cousins, PBW dba Yankee Bookshop, Woodstock, Vermont
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
I’m hungry for all the treats in this story and for more books from Rajani LaRocca. Mimi is a kind and inquisitive girl that you instinctively root for, and her struggles with failure really resonated with me. This play on Shakespeare with a culinary twist is absolutely delightful and, dare I say it, scrumptious. More, more, more!
Sami ThomasonSquare Books, Oxford, MS
Praise for Midsummer’s Mayhem
Midsummer’s Mayhem is delightful confection of a family story full of heart, magic, and a baking championship with mysteriously high stakes! LaRocca takes Shakespeare’s almost throwaway reference from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and reclaims it, by centering a multiracial Indian-American family in her tale. Mimi’s pluck, gentle courage, and knack for combining flavors will capture reader’s hearts, imaginations, and undoubtedly, taste buds!
Sayantani DasGuptaauthor of the NYT-bestselling Kiranmala and The Kingdom Beyond series
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
I felt this novel in verse in my bones. An important book, it will change how young readers see their world. And that’s the best kind of book to read at any age.
Jane YolenAuthor of The Devil's Arithmetic, Briar Rose, and Mapping the Bones
Praise for Much Ado About Baseball
Much Ado About Baseball is the best children’s book I’ve read in the past 10 years!
Brad Thor, New York Times bestselling author of the Scot Harvath series
Praise for Seven Golden Rings
Adventure, suspense and a surprise ending make Rajani LaRocca’s enchanting picture book debut, Seven Golden Rings, an amusing lesson about the importance of math.
Shelf Awareness