Small Fry

by Jaime Adoff

Whether it's getting picked last for the team or being able to go on the ride at the amusement park, the highs and lows of being the little guy in the group is captured in this inspirational tale about growing up that demonstrates that good things can come in little packages.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2005

About the author

Jaime Adoff was born in New York City but grew up in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Central State University in Ohio, where he studied drums and percussion. Moving to New York City in 1990, he attended the Manhattan School of Music and studied drums and voice. Jaime then went on to pursue a career in songwriting and fronted his own rock band for eight years. He released two CD’s of his own material and performed extensively in New York City and throughout the US.

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,(2003) an IRA Notable book (2003), A NY Public Library book for the teenage(2003), a VOYA poetry pick (2002) and a CCB Best Book for 2002.

The critically acclaimed "Names Will Never Hurt Me" (2004) was his first young-adult novel and almost instantly became a MUST HAVE for teens around the country. In 2005 it was named a NY Public Library book for the teenage, and was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults.

"Jimi & Me" (2005) was the recipient of the 2006 CORETTA SCOTT KING/​JOHN STEPTOE NEW TALENT AUTHOR AWARD. It was named as a 2006 YALSA QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT READERS, A 2006 NY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK FOR THE TEENAGE and was selected to the VOYA TOP SHELF FICTION LIST FOR 2005. It received a *starred* review from LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION and was cited as "an exceptional story" and "a tremendous addition to any collection" by VOYA magazine.

Jaime's latest young adult novel "The Death of Jayson Porter"(April 08) has been receiving rave reviews nationwide. Including *Starred Reviews from *Booklist*, *Library Media Connection*, and *VOYA* magazine,(5Q). It was also selected for the 09' "Choose to read Ohio program." A project of the State Library of Ohio, to promote reading across Ohio. As well as an Ohioana Book Award finalist in the Juvenile category.

His first picture book "Small Fry"(NOV 08) was cited as "Cathartic and Encouraging fun" by Kirkus Review.

Jaime is a highly sought after speaker, presenting across the country on teen issues, diversity, YA literature and Poetry. His Rock n Roll school visits have been knocking the socks off students and teachers alike, for years. Jaime has worked with students from Kindergarten through High School and even college and graduate students as well. Giving them all a "backstage- all access- pass" into the life, creative process, and works of one of the most groundbreaking, unique and innovative voices writing for children and teens today.

Jaime Adoff is the son of the late Newbery Award-winning author Virginia Hamilton and renowned poet Arnold Adoff.
Jaime lives in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio, with his family.

Reviews

[Deanna Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a collection of poems for people on the shorter side. It is written by Jaime Adoff who is from Yellow Springs Ohio. This is a cute collection of poems that go through a range of problems when you are short. I was and still am on the shorter side so this touched home for me. The poems include problems playing sports, not being able to ride roller coasters and being picked on by the school bully. It also includes many wonderful poems about why being short is a good thing. The illustrator, Mike Reed, does a really good job at making the pictures fun and entertaining. I like this book because I can definitely relate to it. I think that this would be a good book to put in the classroom because other children might also be able to identify with the poems. I think it could also inspire them to right poems about something they are good at or can't do because they are too short. Students who aren't short could write poems about how they wish they could be different or why being tall is good or bad.

[Leanne Feathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of poems about growing up, some of them are interesting, but some are a little dull. The illustrations were good with each poem. The reader could tell by the picture what the poem will be about. The words in some of the poems were good in that the children could read it easily. Kids can understand and agree with some of the poems too.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book, although I wish it had followed just one kids perspective. Being short myself, I could definitely relate to the poems that had been written. Although this book was written for children the lesson to embrace who you are resonated throughout the entire book.I feel like embracing yourself is a lesson we could all stand to learn, no matter what our age is.

[Mckenzie Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a cute take on childhood experiences. It is full of poems that relate to different things that could be what children be thinking. It also will make the kids enjoy reading the poems because they understand what is happening in the poems.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a poem book and I did not like very much because it not for all the ages, but I also read it to my son in my own word. it good book for 2 to 3 years old to learn them the term and the opposite for it.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have loved this collection when I was the shortest kids in my class during elementary school - poems about being short. I had no idea Adoff is in Yellow Springs!

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun! Poems that are easy to read and will have meaning for small fries everywhere.