Arnold Adoff facts for kids

Arnold Adoff (born July 16, 1935, in Bronx, New York – died May 7, 2021, in Yellow Springs, Ohio) was a famous American writer. He wrote many books, especially poems, for children. In 1988, a group called the National Council of Teachers of English gave him an award for his excellent poetry for kids. He once said that he would always try to turn what he saw and heard into words. He wanted to shape them into his "singing poems."

About Arnold Adoff

Arnold Adoff grew up in the South Bronx, New York. His parents were immigrants from a town near the Polish-Russian border. He first went to the Columbia University School of Pharmacy. But he later changed schools. He went to City College of New York. There, he earned a degree in history and literature.

In 1960, he married Virginia Hamilton. She was also a well-known children's author. They lived in Europe for a short time. Then they moved back to New York City. Adoff taught social studies in schools in Harlem and the Upper West Side of New York. Later, Adoff and Hamilton moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio. Adoff lived there until he passed away in 2021.

Arnold Adoff explained why he wrote for young people. He said, "I began writing for kids because I wanted to make a change in American society." He believed that adults often have their ideas already set. It's hard for a poet to reach them. But he felt he could open a child's imagination. He could help kids love poetry. More importantly, he wanted to show them that poetry is a natural part of everyday life. He saw it as a poet's job to help people see things clearly.

Books by Arnold Adoff

Arnold Adoff wrote many books for young readers. His works include both fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction Books

• Mandala - Pictures by Emily McCully, Harper and Row, 1971.
• Black is Brown Is Tan - pictures by Emily Arnold McCully, Harper Collins, 2002, Harper & Row, 1973.
• Hard to be Six - illustrated by Cheryl Hanna, Lee & Shapard, 1991.
• In for Winter, Out for Spring - illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991.
• The Return of Rex and Ethel - illustrated by Catherine Deeter, Harcourt, 2000.
• Daring Dog and Captain Cat - illustrated by Joe Cepeda, Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2001.

Non-Fiction Books

• Black on Black; Commentaries by Negro Americans. New York: Macmillan, 1968.
• Brothers and Sisters; Modern Stories by Black Americans. New York: Macmillan, 1970.
• Malcolm X. - illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. pa. HarperCollins, 2000 (for ages 7–10). This book won the ALA Notable Children’s Book award. It was also recognized by the Library of Congress Children’s Books.
• Roots and Blues: A Celebration - illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 2011. This book won The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry in 2012.