Jimi & Me by Jaime Adoff

Jaime Adoff grew up in Yellow Springs, Ohio, but was born in New York City. He studied drums and percussion at Central State University in Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. He moved to New York City in 1990 and studied drums and voice at the Manhattan School of Music. After that, Jaime pursued a career as a songwriter and fronted his own rock band for eight years. He recorded two CDs of original songs and had several performances in New York City and across the United States.

He is the author of the all-ages original poetry collection The Song Shoots Out of My Mouth: A Celebration of Music, (2002)(Downloadable at audible.com 08'), which was a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor book, a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Notable book, an IRA Notable book, a NY Public Library book for the teenage (2003), a VOYA poetry selection (2002), and a CCB Best Book for 2002. His first young-adult novel, the critically praised Names Will Never Harm Me (2004), became an instant hit with teenagers across the country. It was named a NY Public Library adolescent book in 2005, and it was nominated for a Best Book for Young Adults award. Jimi & Me (2005) won the 2006 CORETTA SCOTT KING/​JOHN STEPTOE NEW TALENT AUTHOR AWARD, was recognized a 2006 YALSA QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT READERS, was named a 2006 NY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK FOR THE TEENAGE, and was named to the VOYA TOP SHELF FICTION LIST FOR 2005. It earned a *starred* review

The Death of Jayson Porter, Jaime's most recent young adult novel, won the 2010 BuckeyeTeen Book Award. *Booklist*, *Library Media Connection*, and *VOYA* magazine all gave it five stars (5Q). It was also chosen for Ohio's Choose to Read program in 2009. A project of the Ohio State Library to promote reading throughout the state.

In addition, it was a finalist for the Ohioana Book Award in the Juvenile category. Kirkus Review praised his first picture book, Little Fry (NOV 08), as cathartic and encouraging fun. Jaime is a sought-after speaker who has given talks on teen concerns, diversity, YA literature, and poetry all across the country. For years, his Rock n Roll school visits have been blowing students' and teachers' minds.

Jaime has worked with kids ranging in age from kindergarten to high school, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Offering them all a behind-the-scenes look into the life, creative process, and works of one of today's most pioneering, original, and innovative voices in children's and adolescent literature. Jaime has a master's degree in education. In 2013, she graduated from Antioch University Midwest in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and has been teaching English/​Language Arts in a nearby Ohio high school for the past three years.

Jaime Adoff is the son of Virginia Hamilton, a Newbery Award-winning author, and Arnold Adoff, a noted poet. Jaime resides in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he was born and raised.