One of my earliest memories was curling up underneath my Mom and listening to her read one of her books to me. My favorite, “Time ago tales of Jahdu.” I swear for years, I really thought she was Mama Luka. Whenever she read that book to me I became Jahdu, I was transported right into the book, into the story. My mother’s voice guiding me through. That is the power of words, the power of a masterfully written story, told by a master storyteller—told by my Mom.
I think her greatness as a writer was only eclipsed by her greatness as a mother. Raising both me and my sister Leigh to be truly free thinkers. Fostering our creativity at every turn. Our house buzzed twenty four hours a day with imagination. Mom and Dad going into their study’s to work in the morning, my sister and I playing in our fantasy worlds, around the house.
Then at dinner, Mom and Dad would talk about the days writing, how each of their projects were going. Leigh and I would talk about our day too. What we learned, what games we played, the meal always ending with lots of laughter.
I think of all that creativity, swirling between Father and Mother, Brother and Sister.
And the magic, to me, it was all magic...
Seeing my Mother go into her study with nothing but a cup of coffee. Coming out hours later with pages of writing. This amazed me. Every day she did it. Sometimes I would watch her work, listen to her read her manuscripts to my Dad, watch them discussing ideas, characters, plot.
All of this I soaked up into my imagination, it became part of my upbringing, part of who I was, what I would become. Of course as a child I didn’t know the significance of watching the creative process up close, to me it was just cool to be there—to be watching my parents do their job, together, this job that to me was as mysterious as any mystery novel.
As I got a little older my Mom would make a point of telling me that her job was just like any other. She just worked at home, her tools her typewriter, paper and White Out.( Do they even make white out anymore?) She always instilled in me an incredible work ethic—making sure I really understood that to be a creative artist was work. You just didn’t sit down and write a perfect novel, or a perfect song. It took time, and work and years of dedication to learn your craft. A lesson that was never lost on me.
My path was music and I approached it with the dedication and passion I had seen in my parents, as a child. Receiving a Bachelors of Music degree from Central State University in Ohio, where I studied Drums and percussion. Then going on to study voice in graduate school at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. My mother was so supportive during this time, watching me perform with my Top 40 cover band at Holiday Inn’s across southern Ohio.
Coming to all of my recitals in college.
When I fronted my own Rock band for eight years in New York, she would come see me perform whenever she was in town. Going to some clubs that my Dad likes to say, “you didn’t even want to put your coat down they were so slimy.” But she was there.
When I called her a few years ago to say I was joining the family business, she took an uncharacteristically long pause, and said, “What’s the family business?” I had shocked my Mom. For those of you who knew her, this was not an easy feat. After a few minutes, she realized I wanted to write books, and this is what I meant. She was overjoyed. From that moment on, our relationship went to another level.
Over the next few years we would talk for hours about writing, our favorite authors, how they wrote their books. My mother knew it all. I would ask a question about writing and she could answer it ten different ways. Some of her writing wisdom I have saved, in the form of emails she wrote me. Some of what she shared with me, I am not even ready to grasp yet, but she told me anyway. I suppose I have the rest of my life to try to begin to understand the genius that was Virginia Hamilton.
How she did what she did, will probably remain a mystery. She told me on many occasions
she didn’t know. Ideas would just come to her, characters, plot. I would often ask her if she always knew what was going to happen next in the book she was writing.
“Sometimes.”she would say, “Sometimes I don’t have any idea what’s going to happen. I just write and see where it takes me.” That would always make me feel good, since as a new writer I rarely knew what was going to happen next. If that’s how the Mighty Hamilton (as my father called her) works, then its good enough for me!
My Mom’s greatest gift I believe, was her love, her unconditional love for her children her husband, her family. I think of all the books she wrote, the thousands of miles she traveled, the many accolades and awards she received. The public person that she was.
Through it all she was always Mom, always the one who was there for me when I needed her. Always the one who would make everything O.K. Always the one who knew just what to say, just at the right time. She did it all, had it all, and never sacrificed a thing. She always put family first, her children always came first, no matter what was going on in her professional life.
This, I will always be thankful for.
Although my Mom is no longer with us, you can still hear her voice. Just pick up any one of her books and open it to page one. Read her words, and its her voice you will hear reading them back to you.
Shut your eyes really tight, and you can see her sitting there, her beautiful smile lighting up the room.
Her words full of magic,
Her life full of love.
She will live forever in our hearts...
Click and type in a question or comment
Hey, Jaime... search your name in Facebook and got a result for someone in the Dayton, Ohio network with the cover for "The Death of Jayson Porter" as the profile pic. Is that you? –Rubén
You're just flat-out awesome, man! You got real talent. Keep up the good work!!!
My name is Kevin and I think this book is the best book that have ever read this book inspired me not to do drugs and not to try to have sex with girls that i really like and let her try to get me in real bad trouble and not be able to play football. I'm a football player and if I had scouts coming to the first playoff game then i wouldn't have sex with a girl and get kicked out of school for five days and not be able to play in the football game so your book Names Will Never Hurt Me is the best book ever(I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMMENT-JAIME)
that you for coming to Washington School Braden W.(YOU'RE VERY WELCOME, I HAD A GREAT TIME!!-JAIME)
I just finished a review copy of the Death of Jayson Porter (I am a librarian); couldn't put it down. Thank you! I had not realised that you were the son of Virginia Hamilton. Thank you for a real gripping read. Katrina
HI KATRINA, GLAD YOU LIKE THE DEATH OF JAYSON PORTER,WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM A LIBRARIAN!
CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE PUBLISHED IN APRIL!!
PEACE & HAPPINESS-JAIME)
So sorry--I typed that tree times didn't I?
So sorry--I just typed that twice!
Hi, I this is my first time on your site and it looks like you put a lot of energy and personality into it! I am on the Power of the Pen team at Hudson Middle School and I can't wait to meet you when you come to our school! It's great to see authors talking to kids about learning to love writing!
(Hi, thanks for the comment. I'll be at your school Tuesday! Be sure to introduce yourself to me! Peace & Happiness, Jaime)
Hi, I this is my first time on your site and it looks like you put a lot of energy and personality into it! I am on the Power of the Pen team at Hudson Middle School and I can't wait to meet you when you come to our school! It's great to see authors talking to kids about learning to love writing!
Hi, I this is my first time on your site and it looks like you put a lot of energy and personality into it! I am on the Power of the Pen team at Hudson Middle School and I can't wait to meet you when you come to our school! It's great to see authors talking to kids about learning to love writing!
Hey Jaime! I am a huge fan. I hope that you are planning on a sequel to Names.......
(THANKS FOR WRITING!! YES, I HAVE ONE IN MIND, NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL BE PUBLISHED BUT I HOPE SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR MY NEXT NOVEL TO BE PUBLISHED APRIL 1, 2008 TITLED "THE DEATH OF JAYSON PORTER"-TAKE CARE, J.)
...just wondering if you are married?
(YES, I JUST GOT MARRIED JULY 7TH!!)
Hi Jaime. I just want to say that YOU ARE BRILLIANT! I have read all of your books and each one is absolutely amazing and unique.....unlike anything I have ever read before. Oh, and about Kurt's bag...I think it's only fitting that you didn't tell us what was inside because honestly it was a great way to spark everyone's imagination. Sometimes it's frustrating, you know, when things aren't black and white, but I think that is what makes a good writer GREAT. You are definitely my favorite!!! Keep up the great work!!!
(THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE VERY KIND WORDS!! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!! KNOWING THAT I'VE CONNECTED WITH A READER LIKE YOURSELF IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING WHEN I'M WRITING!! SPEAKING OF WHICH MY NEW NOVEL "THE DEATH OF JAYSON PORTER" WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT APRIL 08-DEFINITELY MY BEST WORK TO DATE!!-THANKS AGAIN-J)
Jaime, I am reading your book Names Will Never Hurt Me for my summer reading, and I just wanted to comment you on doing a great job on your book! Really interesting, keeps me wanting to read more!
(THANKS! SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT!!)
jaime I had to read your book names will never hurt me for summer reading and I was just wondering what was in kurts gym bag? kelsey
(HI KELSEY, CHECK OUT THE KURT'S BAG SECTION OF MY WEBSITE!! THAT'S THE NO.1 QUESTION I GET!! THANKS FOR THE COMMENT-J.)
hi i read your book Names Will Never Hurt Me and i loved it. i hope you get a sequel to it. where did you come up with the idea??
(HI, SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! I AM THINKING STRONGLY ABOUT DOING A SEQUEL!! I REALLY WROTE NAMES TO GIVE VOICE TO WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE A TEEN'S HEAD NOT JUST WHAT WE SEE AND HEAR ON THE OUTSIDE. WANTED TO TRY TO FIND ANSWERS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH SOME OF OUR YOUTH. TO SHOW IN A VERY REAL WAY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TEENS ARE BULLIED, OSTRACIZED AND MISUNDERSTOOD BY THEIR PEERS, PARENTS, ADULTS AND TEACHERS. THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT, BUT THAT AT LEAST GIVES YOU AN IDEA TO SOME OF WHY I WROTE IT.
THANKS,
J.)
hi Jaime. My name is Marissa. I just finished reading your newest book "Jimi and Me" and i absolutely loved it. I don't usually read very much but i was required to get a silent reading book for school and your book just stood out from the rest so much. Every time i picked it up i hoped class wouldn't end because i wanted to see what was going to happen next. I'm going to the library this weekend to look for your other book, "names will never hurt me" and i can't wait to see what you come up with next. Keep up the good work!
(HI MARISSA, SO GLAD YOU LIKED "JIMI AND ME"! THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT, I'LL KEEP WRITING AS LONG AS YOU KEEP READING! MY NEXT NOVEL WILL BE PUBLISHED JAN-08 CHECK BACK OFTEN TO MY WEBSITE FOR SNEAK PREVIEWS!
STOP BACK & LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF "NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME!-THANKS AGAIN!!
PEACE & HAPPINESS-JAIME)
I'am laura, the girl who read the I'm from poem at NHS in colorado, i really lik ethis writing and I myself lost my father when I was 7 which is very hard, this kind of reminds me of him because he was always writing. THANKS FOR LETTING ME REMEMBER HIM, BECAUSE MAYBE,JUST MAYBE THATS WHAT HE WOULD HAVE WANTED!!!!!!!!
(Hi Laura, I know that must have been so hard, losing your father at such a young age. I am so glad that through your writing you can honor his memory. Keep up the great work . . .p.s- I had a great time at your school,
you guys were great!!
Peace & Happiness-Jaime.)
I am 11 years old and went through tragic things myself and Jimi and Me was great and I wish the best to you and your carreer
(THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HOPE MY BOOK MAY HAVE HELPED EVEN IN SOME SMALL WAY, BEST TO YOU AS WELL!! PEACE AND HAPPINESS, J.)
I am 11 years old and went through tragic things myself and Jimi and Me was great and I wish the best to you and your carreer
yo dude your awasome
COOL DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! PEACE!!!!!!!!!!
(PEACE TO YOU AS WELL-J!!)
hi i think that your books look awsome and the book freak looks awsome but i just wonder if you ever get stuck pn a book that you writing beacuse im a young writer and also i can skeych but what my friend and i are doing is that we are planing on she will write and i shall ilistrate
(I GET STUCK ALL THE TIME, IT'S ALL A PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU KEEP WRITING NO MATTER WHAT, IF YOU GET STUCK, TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK TO IT, BUT DON'T LET IT STOP YOU!!-GOOD LUCK SOUNDS GREAT!!-J)
I have noticed that a lot of your book covers are very colorful,did you like the time setting of the 60's and the 70's? Your books look interesting!!
(THANKS!-J)
I have noticed that a lot of your book covers are very colorful,did you like the time setting of the 60's and the 70's? Your books look interesting!!
I have noticed that a lot of your book covers are very colorful,did you like the time setting of the 60's and the 70's? Your books look interesting!!
hi, ive never have read any of your books but they seem interesting kaleigh duval
did you mom die???
(YES, SADLY, FEB 19TH 2002-J)
I am 35 years old and have just finished reading Jimi and me. It is without a doubt one of the finest young adult books I have read since my own childhood. A coming of age story akin to "To Kill A Mockingbird". Fantastic work!! Joseph Schwartz, St. Louis Public Library
(WOW! Now that was the best review I've ever received!!
Thank you Joseph for your wonderful words, I greatly appreciate it.-----Peace and Happiness Jaime)
(Thanks for the kind words ATP, so glad you enjoy my work!!-Peace and Happiness-JAIME)
P.S. You are officially my favorite poet, and I thought it was cool that you let your illustrator in The Song Shoots Out Of My Mouth have a part in your dedication page. Maybe it is just me, but I don't see that too often. ATP (again)
Hi Jaime- you should come down to Texas to Dulles High School in the upcoming school year of 2006-2007. It would be great to have you here. You are a fabulous writer and poet. Reading your poetry book, The Song Shoots Out of My Mouth, ignited my sensitivity for music, and I could see your heart in your poems. I am currently doing a section of my poetry notebook for ELA class on you. It's great to see you carrying on your "family business" and doing what you love. Continue doing what you are doing, it's great! =D God Bless! In Jesus' Name, ATP.
(They should have "Names Will Never Hurt Me" at Barnes and Noble and or Borders. If not you can order it online at Amazon.com. It is available in paperback too!! Enjoy, Jaime . . .)
I live in Bremerton ,WA and I need to know where I could pick up a copy of "Words will never hurt me " By Jaime Adoff.
(Hey everyone!! Check out KURT'S BAG at the top menu to find out the answer to what was in Kurt's gym bag!!--PEACE AND HAPPINESS---JAIME......
Hi my name is Hannah i love all the book you write
i was wondering, what was that thing inside kurt's gym bag? in my opinion, i think it was a gun cos it was hard object and it makes him feel better after being pushed around.. is that what was really in the bag?
(Hi Ernestine & Desiree, please write me at jaime@jaimeadoff.com and I'll write you back!! Thanks! J.)
Hi,My name is Ernestine Williams.I am a beginning poet and i was wondering what can i do to get people to take me seriously?
HI. My name is Desiree Deswood. I had recently finished your book "Names Will Never hurt me." The endin kept on nagging me about was, what was in Kurt's gym bag? Not that the ending wasn't good. I think your book was very good I didn't even put it down until i finished it.
will you plan on malking anymore novels for teens
(Yes, my next novel for teens will be published Sept. 1st. 05'
Keep checking the website for more info!!--Jaime)
His mother is no longer with us, but Jaime says you can hear her voice by
How did Jaime get writing advice from his mother
(My Mother and I had wonderful talks about writing and writers, which I will always cherish!!---Jaime)
Yo Jaime, This is Curtis and I'm feelin yo book The Song shoots Out Of My Mouuth. Especially The We Walk Sideways Poem. My Bad Fo Speelin YO name Wrong. If you ever come to the Shaker Heights MIddle School I am In the 7th Grade So give me a shot out.I'm looking Foward fo yo next poem book.:) Shaker's own MC LITE.
(Hey, Curits I'll be in Shaker Heights Monday, April 4th at the middle School. Hope to see you there!!--Jaime)
Yo Jaime,
wasup jammie i am curtis robinson from shaker heights and i like your poems
Jaime, I'm a great admirer of your mother's works. I believe I have read everything she ever published, but your tribute to her gives me even greater insight into the woman and the writer she was. Beautiful! Best of luck with your future in the family business!
Good Luck
(Thanks, so much!!---Jaime)
Good Luck
where were you born and raised
(Born in NYC, raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio---Jaime)
You are so very fortunate to have had such creative parents. Your mother will continue to live on through the words of her books. Children will continue to "know" your mother through the wonderful stories she told. And now, through you, children can celebrate her life, as well.
(I agree, and thank you . . .--Jaime)
Jaime, that was one of the most touching tributes to your mom. As a librarian, I loved her works. Through her books, I feel as if I knew her. She was a great lady....Bless you and your family... LF
(Thank you so much for your kind words . . .----Jaime)
This is absolutely beautiful, Jaime, and perfectly puts into words what your mother was and still is.
(Thank, you . . . ---Jaime)
Cover and interior art from THE SONG SHOOTS OUT OF MY MOUTH by Jaime Adoff, illustrated by Martin French, copyright (c) 2002 Martin French, illustrations. Used by permission of Dutton Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc. All rights reserved.
Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com.
