Names Will Never Hurt Me [Paperback]

Jaime Adoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2005

During one day at school, the paths of four teens will cross in ways they never imagined. There’s Kurt, the "freek" who tries desperately to escape bullying; Tisha, who doesn’t feel she fits in with anyone; Ryan, the football jock who rules the hallways while losing control of his life; and Floater, who uses his connections to gain dangerous power. On this day, teasing, racism, loneliness, and secrets bring each of them to the breaking point. Now they must help each other prevent a tragedy. The voices of these four teens weave together in prose-poetry to create a powerful read.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-There is an unsettling atmosphere at this Anytown, USA suburban high school-it is the one-year anniversary of a shooting death. The TV news crew is on hand to interview students, and the principal is on edge. The story is told through the eyes of four teenagers: Ryan, the football player who thinks he's a god; Kurt, the outcast oddball who regularly gets beaten but never fights back; Floater, the snitch filled with power lust; and Tisha, a lonely biracial girl who quietly watches all. Tension builds as the day progresses, as events unfold and worlds collide. As Ryan's perfect world begins to fall to pieces, Kurt's anger builds, Floater's dreams of fame go spinning out of control, and Tisha's frustration increases, it soon becomes apparent that something is going to happen, but what, and to whom? Writing in a free-verse, almost-poetic style, Adoff pulls off a young adult page-turner with literary ease. While readers may occasionally feel as though they've stepped into Columbine High School, rendering the purpose of the book clear, this does not hinder the novel's flow as the author shows who the real monsters are in this fictional world.-Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. It's the one-year anniversary of high-schooler Jake Stiles' murder, and the local TV station is conducting on-site interviews with students, asking the question, "Are the kids really alright?" Everyone knows the painful truth: "No, they are not." This is high school at its most painful, seen through the eyes of the kids living it--the jocks, the misfits, the freaks, the truly miserable. Speaking in short bursts of frustration and hurt, four teens convey their high-school experiences and perceptions in passages that are interspersed with reporter's interviews, principals' angst-ridden musings, and hallway asides that all lead up to a surprising climax. Adoff creates palpable tension as he explores each character's state of mind through the physical and emotional pain of being ignored, rejected, or terrorized. Though gratifying, the ending is somewhat unrealistic. Still, this is a powerful, complex, skillfully written novel that even the most reluctant reader will find accessible. Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Speak (November 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142404578
• ISBN-13: 978-0142404577
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,028,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book You Have To Read., May 23, 2006

By 

Jay Jay (Valdosta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Names Will Never Hurt Me (Paperback)

One year has passed since the death of a fellow high school student.

This book takes you inside the lives of four high school seniors for one day.

Ryan, The "Jock", who thinks he is everything, loves girls; yet faces an abusive dad.

Kurt, The "Outcast", who always gets beat up; but keeps the anger bottled inside himself, while dealing with a neglecting family.

Tisha, The "Bi-Racial, who's smart, has a best friend and a good family; but faces racist remarks and actions by other students.

Mark "Floater", the "Snitch" who works for the principal, telling him everything happening in school; but his lust for power and popularity will be his greatest downfall.

You learn so much about these four students and what they have to go through each day, but on this fateful day, another tragic event will happen.

What and who is affected?

The shocking climax and resolution made this one of the best books I've ever read in my book.

Not only does it have great character developement, but it makes you feel like you are right there watching them.

I hope the author makes many more books like this because I will be reading thing.

5/5

-Jay.Jay.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good (but horrifying) story well told, October 25, 2007

By 

Edward Burton "Ed Burton" (Miami) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Names Will Never Hurt Me (Paperback)

Extremely well written, this book keeps the reader hooked from the first chapter. Four points-of-view, four voices, effortlessly flows from scene to scene until we understand the story and how the tragic events affect each character. Worth the price for the superb writing alone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars s.n. ms. raniere period 9, January 25, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Names Will Never Hurt Me (Hardcover)

Names Will Never Hurt Me

By Jaime Adoff

Reviewed by Spencer

This book takes place in current time at a high school where one year ago, a murder in the school occurred. There are four main characters, Ryan, Kurt, Tisha and Floater (Mark.) Kurt and Tisha are low on the social scale. While Ryan is higher on the scale, pretty close to the top and finally there is Floater at the very top. This book takes place over one school day and each person problem has there own problem except for Floater. But Floater can make or stop any of their problems because he is the "principals in" on what is happening in the school during the day. The only way for them to get rid of there is to work with Floater and each other.

This book is very interesting and is "suck you in" kind of reading. The thing that makes it interesting is that there are four stories that finally combine into a monstrosity of problems with an odd ending. Also in the beginning it is hard to know who is talking and what is going on. They are always transferring between people and their stories. The overall thought of the book is very high and extensive.