Rajani LaRocca
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rajanilarocca.bsky.social
Rajani LaRocca
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social
3.1K followers 830 following 120 posts
2022 Newbery Honoree, Walter Award, Golden Kite winner. Doctor, author of MG & PB, fiction & nonfiction, prose & poetry. Pro-democracy, pro-reproductive freedom, anti-book bans.
Rep: Brent Taylor
www.RajaniLaRocca.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
ingridmayyasi.bsky.social
I finished my first full week of classes. We read Fall is for Beginnings by @rajanilarocca.bsky.social. Students really connected with the story. A great way to start the school year.
September 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
loritecler.bsky.social
1st graders are learning about the human body, so we read YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART by @rajanilarocca.bsky.social w/art by @laurenpaigeconrad.bsky.social then used toothpicks, marshmallows & ❤️ stickers to make tools to measure their ❤️beats. They were fascinated! #SchoolLibrary #TLSky #EduSky #kidlit
Copy of book YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART by Rajani LaRocca with art by Lauren Paige Conrad on a woodgrain table. Two children’s arms outstretched on a woodgrain table. Each child has a toothpick with a marshmallow on one end and a heart sticker on the other placed on the inside of their wrist, marshmallow down.
October 6, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
itsokihaveabook.bsky.social
I'm no @fuse8.bsky.social but here are my standout titles of summer and fall 2025: jenny-arch.com/2025/10/15/f... @brianlies.bsky.social @rajanilarocca.bsky.social @dansantat.bsky.social @charlenedraws.bsky.social @adamrex.bsky.social @tkingfisher.com @katemilford.bsky.social @katemessner.com
Fall (and Summer) Standouts
Back in early April I wrote about my “spring standouts,” books published in 2025 that I’d read and thought were stellar. I think I’d intended to write another in the summer …
jenny-arch.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
katiemcenaney.bsky.social
Delighted to be presenting on 2 incredible panels at #ncte! 10 Ways to Nurture Nonfiction Readers @mstewartscience.bsky.social & 6 Small Actions: Empowering Children @jyotigopal.bsky.social @jstremer.bsky.social @rajanilarocca.bsky.social @mnewsome.bsky.social @andrewchacket.bsky.social

#kidlit
10 Ways to Nurture and Nourish Nonfiction Readers with Melissa Stewart. NCTE Sat 11/22, 11:45 am Room 203 6 Small Actions That Can Make a Big Difference: Empowering Children to Impact the World Around Them, NCTE Sun 11/23 at 10:30 am Mile High Ballroom 3A
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
mstewartscience.bsky.social
Teachers! Librarians!
It's time for the Sibert Smackdown.
The perfect Mock Sibert activity for kids who love nonfiction.
tinyurl.com/3c9harym
@sarahalbee.bsky.social @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social @juanamartinezn.bsky.social @safajarwrites.bsky.social @rajanilarocca.bsky.social @mcusolito.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
erindaydreams.bsky.social
Excited for #NCTE2025 in Denver this year! I'm looking forward to moderating panels with some amazing authors! Let me know if you're attending, would love to connect.
@meganefreeman.bsky.social @sylvialiu.bsky.social
@baronchrisbaron.bsky.social @rajanilarocca.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
mstewartscience.bsky.social
Teachers! Librarians!
It's time for the Sibert Smackdown.
The perfect Mock Sibert activity for kids who love nonfiction.
tinyurl.com/3c9harym
@epartridge.bsky.social @kellycrull.bsky.social @gordoncjamesart.bsky.social @4nikkolas.bsky.social @jessicalanan.bsky.social @chrishsu1861.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
kidsbookaday.bsky.social
Back to school! Here are two new picture books to help ease the transition. @rajanilarocca.bsky.social @abhialwar.bsky.social kidsbookaday.com/2025/08/18/b...
Back to school
I’m back to school this morning, so here are two more books to kick off the new year! If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my back-to-school book list. Fall Is for Beginnings by …
kidsbookaday.com
August 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
deborahkalb.bsky.social
Q&A with Rajani LaRocca about her new children's picture book, FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS.
tinyurl.com/2udajak9
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social
August 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
boyntonlibrary.bsky.social
Summer Read # 6 #msfoleyiscurrentlyreading #audiobooklove #bookstagram #librarylife #read #weneeddiversebooks @rajanilarocca.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
lbschool.bsky.social
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social and Huy Voun Lee's SOME OF US is the recommended picture book for September in @neatoday.bsky.social's Read Across America! Bring this brilliant celebration of immigration and citizenship into your classroom with the activities and discussion prompts linked below. 🎇
September 4, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
kwelijournal.bsky.social
❤️💐 Happy Book Birthday to FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS by longtime Kweli fam @rajanilarocca.bsky.social and @abhialwar.bsky.social! 🍁
August 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
salemlitfest.bsky.social
Congratulations to Lit Fest alum @rajanilarocca.bsky.social on the publication of FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, a back-to-school picture book that celebrates friendship and finding your place.
August 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
triadaus.bsky.social
Happy publication day to FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS by @rajanilarocca.bsky.social! #TeamTriada #BookSky
www.abramsbooks.com/product/fall...
The cover for Fall is For Beginnings by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar, which features a cartoonishly illustrated scene of a brick school with a banner that reads "Welcome Students." A bunch of children are running around outside the school; most prominently featured are two brown-skinned children with black hair who are running side-by-side and holding hands, and a white child with red hair who is jumping into a pile of leaves.
August 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
jenswanbooks.bsky.social
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social @sarahalbee.bsky.social @jasonchin.bsky.social @lilywilliam.bsky.social @brookehartman.bsky.social
August 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
matthewcwinner.bsky.social
Listen Back: @rajanilarocca.bsky.social shares MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM. Mimi, the main character in Rajani’s middle grade debut, enters a baking competition at her town’s newest sweet spot, but things aren’t quite as they appear. www.matthewcwinner.com/post/listen-... #kidlit #mglit #podcast
Listen Back: Rajani LaRocca shares Midsummer's Mayhem
Rajani LaRocca shares MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM. Mimi, the main character in Rajani’s middle grade debut, enters a baking competition at her town’s newest sweet spot, but things aren’t quite as they appear.
www.matthewcwinner.com
July 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
boyntonlibrary.bsky.social
Summer Read # 3 #msfoleyiscurrentlyreading #audiobooklove #bookstagram #librarylife #read #weneeddiversebooks @rajanilarocca.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
tashahilderman.bsky.social
Who’s speaking at #picturebookpalooza ? I’m glad you asked! @kateallenfox.bsky.social @benjamingottwald.bsky.social @isabellakung.bsky.social @rajanilarocca.bsky.social Mac Barnett, Shawn Harris and @stacymcanulty.bsky.social to name a few! 🎉 It’s FREE, see my previous post to register 🥳
July 16, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
lbschool.bsky.social
Today's the day! Register now for @slj.com's free virtual Picture Book Palooza, featuring creators you love:⁣
📚 Leigh Bardugo and @johnpicacio.bsky.social
📚 Toni Yuly
📚 Christian Cooper
📚 @rajanilarocca.bsky.social
⁣
Schedule and registration: www.slj.com/event/slj-pi...
July 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
itsokihaveabook.bsky.social
Looking forward to hearing @fuse8.bsky.social and Drew Beckmeyer talk at 12:55. And I'm moderating the Strangers in a New Land panel at 3:50, talking to @rajanilarocca.bsky.social, Elizabeth Brown, and Jenan Matari! #PictureBookPalooza
July 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
12x12challenge.bsky.social
Happy Independence Day from the 12 x 12 community!

Here’s to stories that inspire reflection, spark imagination, and celebrate every voice. Check out our favorites from 12 x 12 members!

@nchurnin.bsky.social
@chanastiefel.bsky.social
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social
July 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
lindaweste.bsky.social
"Verse novels combine the best elements of poetry and narrative ..." – @rajanilarocca.bsky.social contrib. to DiVERSE Conversations with YA & Chns #VerseNovelists Read #diverse #poetry @doucette515.bsky.social @rurooie.bsky.social @librarianages.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
lbschool.bsky.social
Join these LBYR authors:
Leigh Bardugo and @johnpicacio.bsky.social - THE INVISIBLE PARADE
Toni Yuly - GO, SLOTH, GO!
Christian Cooper - THE URBAN OWLS
@rajanilarocca.bsky.social - SOME OF US
www.slj.com/event/slj-pi...
SLJ Picture Book Palooza
Join us July 17th for our fifth annual SLJ Picture Book Palooza, an all-day, free virtual celebration of authors and artists from around the world, who bring picture books to life with their extraordi...
www.slj.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
kidlittv.bsky.social
📣📚HEADS UP! What does it mean to become a US citizen? How does the process work? Find out in @rajanilarocca.bsky.social’s timely, new, non-fiction picture book, SOME OF US, illus by Huy Voun Lee. Just in time for 4th of July, celebrate all the people who enrich our country by joining our democracy!
June 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Rajani LaRocca
jenrubin.bsky.social
House Policy Bill Would Add $3.4 Trillion to Debt, Swamping Economic Gains .. but the rich make out like bandits www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/u...
House Policy Bill Would Add $3.4 Trillion to Debt, Swamping Economic Gains
www.nytimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM