Picture a storyteller who weaves tales of identity, belonging, and the messy beauty of human connections—meet Jas Hammonds! This American author burst onto the Young Adult literature scene with their award-winning debut, We Deserve Monuments, in 2022. Balancing a high-flying career as a flight attendant with their passion for writing, Hammonds crafts stories that resonate with queer, Black, and biracial teens, earning them a spot as a rising star in contemporary YA fiction.
With a knack for blending heart-wrenching themes like generational trauma and racial violence with swoon-worthy romances, Hammonds has captivated readers and critics alike. Their work, infused with a soulful R&B vibe, feels like a playlist of emotions you can’t stop humming. Let’s dive into the world of Jas Hammonds and discover what makes their stories soar!
The Making of Jas Hammonds
Raised across many cities and always tucked between the pages of books, Jas Hammonds (they/she) found their voice through a lifelong love of storytelling. From their first read—Dr. Seuss’s There’s a Wocket in My Pocket—to the book that sparked their writerly dreams, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Alice in Rapture, Sort of, Hammonds was hooked on stories that explore the messy, magical moments of youth. Before becoming an author, they navigated the skies as a flight attendant, daydreaming at 30,000 feet and jotting down ideas for characters who felt real and raw.
Hammonds’s journey to publication wasn’t a solo flight. They earned support from prestigious programs like Lambda Literary, the Highlights Foundation, and Baldwin for the Arts, culminating in the 2020 MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. This recognition fueled their drive to tell stories that center queer Black teens and explore the complexities of identity.
Jas Hammonds’s Unforgettable Stories
Hammonds’s debut, We Deserve Monuments (2022), is a tour de force that nabbed the 2023 Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent. The novel follows Avery Anderson, a biracial teen uprooted to a small Georgia town, where she unravels family secrets, confronts the South’s racist past, and falls for the girl next door. Critics called it “a pull-your-heart-out-with-its-teeth novel,” praising its lyrical prose and vivid characters who leap off the page.
In 2024, Hammonds released Thirsty, a gripping story about Blake Brenner, a mixed-race lesbian navigating college life, addiction, and the pressures of pledging an elite sorority. With unflinching honesty, Hammonds explores how alcohol can mask pain and destroy relationships, all while celebrating resilience and recovery. The novel earned a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and accolades for its “breathtaking and courageous” storytelling.
Hammonds’s style is a soulful blend of raw emotion and poetic prose, often inspired by 1950s and 60s R&B and soul music. Their stories tackle heavy themes—mental health, queerness, mixed-race identity, and generational trauma—but always leave room for hope, love, and bittersweet endings. Whether it’s a rickety porch swing or a neon-lit college party, Hammonds transforms everyday settings into monuments of meaning.
Why Jas Hammonds Matters
Jas Hammonds is more than a writer—they’re a beacon for queer Black teens and anyone who’s ever felt caught between worlds. Their novels give voice to underrepresented identities, showing readers they’re not alone in their struggles or joys. By weaving historical and contemporary issues, like the ripple effects of racial violence, Hammonds challenges readers to confront hard truths while embracing the beauty of first love and found family.
Their impact extends beyond the page. Teachers and librarians rave about how We Deserve Monuments sparks discussions on identity and history in classrooms, while fans on Goodreads call Hammonds’s work “quotable” and “memorable.” As a MacDowell James Baldwin Fellow, Hammonds carries forward Baldwin’s legacy of truth-telling, proving YA literature can be both profound and accessible.
- Birthplace: United States, raised in many cities
- Key Works: We Deserve Monuments (2022), Thirsty (2024)
- Awards: 2023 Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award, MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship (2020)
- Fun Fact: Hammonds loves jigsaw puzzles and cozy vibes!
Snag We Deserve Monuments or Thirsty and dive into Jas Hammonds’s soulful, heart-stirring world of YA fiction. Trust us, these stories will stay with you long after the last page!