Julie K. Rubini discusses her biography for young readers, Virginia Hamilton: America’s Storyteller, which surrounds one of the most honored American children’s book authors of all time. Rubini sheds light on Virginia Hamilton’s life and work, including Hamilton’s childhood in Yellow Springs, Ohio; her early literary ambitions; the professors at Antioch College and The Ohio State University who gave her direction and encouragement; her years as a budding writer in New York City; how she met Arnold Adoff, the man who would become her husband, fellow author, and biggest supporter; how she came to write children’s literature; her writing career’s astonishing trajectory; and more. Rubini also shares her own experiences publishing with Ohio University Press and how she founded Claire’s Day, an annual children’s book festival created in honor of her late daughter.

Julie K. Rubini is also the author of Eye to Eye: Sports Journalist Christine Brennan, Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist, and Hidden Ohio. Virginia Hamilton: America’s Storyteller will represent Ohio at the 2025 National Book Festival as the state’s Great Reads from Great Places youth selection.

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.