Praise for Much Ado About BaseballBaseball provides energetic context to this story in alternating voices of friends in a lovingly drawn and diverse community. Add magic, numbers, Shakespeare, and lashings of mystery, all seasoned with artful sprinkles of culinary flavor and equal parts humor and heart. Cleverly adjacent to the world of Midsummer’s Mayhem, yet standing wonderfully well alone.
Uma Krishnaswami, Author and Astrid Lindgren Award nominee
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 savored every minute of this romp. I loved Mimi and her drive to be less invisible in her big family full of go-getters. The South Indian foods, well-defined in the glossary, added another layer of flavor to the story. The baking contest, reminiscent of The Great British Baking Show, was full of surprises, and the hints of magic and allusions to AMidsummer Night’s Dream were perfect. The included recipes are the icing on the cake.
Jen KraarCity of Asylum Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Brimming with warmth. An approachable account of negotiating identity and of struggling with loss.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
This deeply memorable coming-of-age story weaves Indian mythology with the relatable modern story of Reha, as she grapples with identity, family, and what it means to truly be home.
Joy McCulloughAuthor of Blood Water Paint; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; and We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire
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 Midsummer's Mayhem
What a wonderful, intriguing, and magical book. And wow, did it ever get my tastebuds going! Each time I picked it up, I felt the urge to head to my kitchen. . . . What I loved most was the smartness of it. It never once doubted its young readers.
Kathy AppeltNewbery Honor and National Book Award nominated author
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 Where Three Oceans Meet
The metaphor of the intertwining of cross-cultural and cross-generational similarities and differences is sustained from start to finish, offering points of connection for readers from all backgrounds.
Booklist
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
An entertaining and epicurean retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. . . . Strikes a perfect balance between the pleasant and the melancholy, as sweet and savory as one of Mimi’s confections.
Shelf Awareness
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
Honeysuckle sweet with a pinch of mayhem and a fairy twist! You’ll only want to put this book down in order to eat an entire plate of cookies. Shakespeare and baking — it’s the book combo dreams are made of.
Liz RiceThe Book Cellar, Chicago, IL
Praise for Midsummer’s Mayhem
Laugh-out-loud funny one moment and mouth-wateringly delicious the next, Midsummer’s Mayhem is an utter pleasure to consume from the very first page! LaRocca’s debut novel entices and bewitches—I dare you not to fall under its spell.
Tara Dairmanauthor of The Great Hibernation and the award-winning All Four Stars series
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
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 Much Ado About Baseball
The book — like its companion — is an utter delight. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves stories about family, friendship, and most importantly, baseball.
Paul Swydan, Silver Unicorn Bookstore
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Readers will be invested in Reha’s relationships with her parents and friends and will enjoy the evocative verse and emotional stakes. Perfect for fans of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga and Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton.
School Library Journal
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
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 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
Rajani LaRocca is a magician with both story and math — a difficult combination that she combines with ease.
Jane YolenAuthor of Owl Moon and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?