Ask the Author: Rajani LaRocca
Answered Questions (8)
Rajani LaRocca
My novel in verse RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has a 13-year-old protagonist in 8th grade who is dealing with a middle school issues such as wanting to fit in vs. wanting to be unique, feeling torn between the worlds of home and school, having a first crush, and dealing with a parent's serious illness.
My other two novels, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, have 11- and 12-year-old protagonists, respectively, and also deal with middle school issues in a more lighthearted way. They may appeal to middle school readers as well!
My other two novels, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, have 11- and 12-year-old protagonists, respectively, and also deal with middle school issues in a more lighthearted way. They may appeal to middle school readers as well!
Rajani LaRocca
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Rajani LaRocca
Hi! Thanks so much for reaching out—I'm so excited that your daughter loved MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM! I'm happy to tell you that have a companion novel coming in June 2021! It's called MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, and it's set in the same town of Comity, MA and involves some other characters from the town—Trish and Ben, math competition rivals who end up on the same summer baseball team. There are some other magical characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream in this book, too! I hope your daughter reads and enjoys...and I might be dreaming up another book (with Mimi in it) now!
Rajani LaRocca
Hi Michelle! I'd love to do an interview with you. Please contact me via my website or [email protected].
Rajani LaRocca
I'm going to cheat and pick two fields. I'd love to be a musician (I play the piano and sing), but I don't think I'm good enough to make it performing, and I'm definitely not a composer! But music is very important to me, and it plays a crucial role in MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM.
The other creative field I'd love to be involved in is cooking. I'd love to travel the world, learn about amazing cuisines, and bring them home to my family. We've been fortunate enough to visit lots of places and eat lots of delicious food, but I'd love to do even more. As you can imagine, creativity in the kitchen plays a huge role in the book as well!
The other creative field I'd love to be involved in is cooking. I'd love to travel the world, learn about amazing cuisines, and bring them home to my family. We've been fortunate enough to visit lots of places and eat lots of delicious food, but I'd love to do even more. As you can imagine, creativity in the kitchen plays a huge role in the book as well!
Rajani LaRocca
Because I have a day job and I'm a mom, dog-mom, and wife, I often have to switch into writer mode at a moment's notice, because I'm often writing away from home in minutes I have to spare between other duties. But my best writer-mode inducements are exercise, dog-walking, and showers. In fact, some of my best ideas have shown up while I'm in the shower after working out and then walking the dog! When I'm stuck on something, I find that talking about the story out loud � to a critique partner, family member, or even myself � can help me get unstuck or come up with some new ideas. Oh, and sometimes when I'm driving alone and can't possibly pick up a pen, inspiration strikes. That's when I record myself talking about the idea. The people driving next to me probably think I'm crazy!
Rajani LaRocca
Great question! I love cooking and baking competition shows!
My favorite baking competition show is The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake Off in the UK). I love that all the contestants are amateurs (but seriously talented!); that the hosts, competitors, and judges get all nerdy about technique and ingredients; that the competitors come from all over the UK from a variety of backgrounds; that they compete just for bragging rights and a cake stand; and that everyone is so nice to each other. I also love the Kids Baking Championship, hosted by Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli. The hosts are super kind and knowledgable, and Duff might have been part of the inspiration for the celebrity pastry chef in Midsummer's Mayhem. :) The kid contestants are so talented and come up with such creative ideas, but they are also real kids who cheer for each other and are disappointed when they have to leave the show. I love the kindness that shines through. even in the midst of a competition. I hope kids enjoy reading about the baking contest in Midsummer's Mayhem...although it might involve more shenanigans than the contests I just mentioned!
My favorite baking competition show is The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake Off in the UK). I love that all the contestants are amateurs (but seriously talented!); that the hosts, competitors, and judges get all nerdy about technique and ingredients; that the competitors come from all over the UK from a variety of backgrounds; that they compete just for bragging rights and a cake stand; and that everyone is so nice to each other. I also love the Kids Baking Championship, hosted by Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli. The hosts are super kind and knowledgable, and Duff might have been part of the inspiration for the celebrity pastry chef in Midsummer's Mayhem. :) The kid contestants are so talented and come up with such creative ideas, but they are also real kids who cheer for each other and are disappointed when they have to leave the show. I love the kindness that shines through. even in the midst of a competition. I hope kids enjoy reading about the baking contest in Midsummer's Mayhem...although it might involve more shenanigans than the contests I just mentioned!
Rajani LaRocca
Hi Bridget,
Thanks for the question! Mimi was always a foodie/baker from when I first conceived of the story. My idea was that Mimi, the youngest in a large family, was the only one who noticed when her dad returned from a trip acting strange. Then I thought that the explanation was some sort of magic going on in the woods behind her house, and Midsummer wasn't much of a leap from there.
And oh, I really hope this book makes you want to eat cake! And cookies...
Thanks for the question! Mimi was always a foodie/baker from when I first conceived of the story. My idea was that Mimi, the youngest in a large family, was the only one who noticed when her dad returned from a trip acting strange. Then I thought that the explanation was some sort of magic going on in the woods behind her house, and Midsummer wasn't much of a leap from there.
And oh, I really hope this book makes you want to eat cake! And cookies...
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