Richard Michelson
Encyclopedia
Richard Michelson is a poet and a children's book author.
In January 2009, As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom, was awarded the Sydney Taylor Book Award Gold Medal from the Association of Jewish Libraries, and A is for Abraham, was awarded the Silver Medal. This is the first time in the award's 41-year history that one author has been honored with their top two awards.
Michelson has twice been a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award (2008, 2006) and twice the recipient of the Skipping Stone Multicultural Book Award (2009, 2003). Other recent recognition include a 2009 Massachusetts Book Award Finalist, a 2007 Teacher’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association, and a 2007 Publisher Weekly Best Book Award.
Clemson University named Michelson as the Richard J. Calhoun Distinguished Reader in American Literature for 2008, and he was the featured poet for the 20th Anniversary edition of Image Journal: Art Faith Mystery. Michelson's poetry has been included in many anthologies, including The Norton Introduction to Poetry, Unsettling America: Contemporary Multicultural Poetry, and Blood to Remember: American Poets on the Holocaust. His latest collection, Battles & Lullabies, published by the University of Illinois Press, was selected as one of the 12 best poetry books of 2006 by ForeWord Magazine.
Michelson has lectured, and read from his works in India, Eastern Europe, and throughout the United States. He represented the United States at the Bratislava Biennial of Children’s Books in 2005. Michelson has written for the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly
, Nextbook
and other publications. He is the Curator of Exhibitions at the National Yiddish Book Center
and owns R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts
.
, NY; son of a shopkeeper, Maurice, and homemaker, Caroline (Kay);
Wife: Jennifer; children: Marisa, Samuel,
Nationality: American, Religion: Jewish.
Hobbies and other interests: Theatre. Biking.
2010 - New York Times: 10 Best Illustrated Books for Busing Brewster
2010 - Amazon.com 12 Best Children’s Books of the Decade for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Sydney Taylor Award - Gold Medal - Association of Jewish Librarians for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Sydney Taylor Award - Silver Medal - Association of Jewish Librarians for A is for Abraham
2009 - Skipping Stones Multicultural Honor Award for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Massachusetts Book Award Finalist As Good As Anybody
2008 - National Jewish Book Award Finalist As Good As Anybody
2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2007 for Tuttle’s Red Barn
2006 - National Jewish Book Award Finalist for Across the Alley
2006 - Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Happy Feet
2003 - Skipping Stones magazine Multicultural Honor Award for Too Young for Yiddish
1999 - Jewish Book Council Book of the Month designation for Grandpa's Gamble
1996 - Children's Book Committee Book of the Year for Animals That Ought to Be
1993 - New Yorker Best Book designation, Did You Say Ghosts
Poetry Books:
Felix Pollack Prize in Poetry; New Letters Literary Award; Pablo Neruda Prize finalist; ForeWard Best Poetry Book Award 2006 for Battle and Lullabies.
Animals That Ought to Be: Poems about Imaginary Pets, illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.
A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise (verse collection), illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 1999.
Grandpa's Gamble (picture book), illustrated by Barry Moser, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 1999.
Ten Times Better (verse collection), illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 2000.
Too Young for Yiddish (picture book), illustrated by Neil Waldman, Talewinds (Watertown, MA), 2002.
Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me (picture book), illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Harcourt (Orlando, FL), 2005.
Across the Alley (picture book), illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Putnam (New York, NY), 2006.
Oh, No, Not Ghosts! (verse collection), illustrated by Adam McCauley, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2006.
Tuttle's Red Barn, illustrated by Mary Azarian, Putnam (New York, NY), 2007.
As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Towards Freedom, illustrated by Raul Colon, Knopf (New York, NY), 2008.
Animals Anonymous (verse collection), illustrated by Scott Fischer, Simon and Schuster (New York, NY) 2008.
A is For Abraham: A Jewish Family Alphabet,(Sleeping Bear Press, 2008) illustrated by Ron Mazellan.
Busing Brewster, illustrated by R.G. Roth (Knopf, 2010).
, University of Central Florida Press (Orlando, FL), 1985.
Semblant, illustrated by Leonard Baskin
, Gehenna Press (Rockport, ME). 1992.
Masks, illustrated by Leonard Baskin
, Gehenna Press (Rockport, ME), 1999.
Battles and Lullabies, University of Illinois Press (Urbana, IL), 2006.
Poetry included in anthologies, such as The Norton Introduction to Poetry, and published in periodicals such as New Letters and Poetry Northwest. Contributor of book reviews to New York Times Book Review.
County Fair, illustrated by Mary Azarian (Putnam, 2012)
(sculptor and printmaker), Leonard Nimoy
(photographer, actor), Randall Deihl (painter), Thomas Locker
(landscape artist) and more than 50 additional artists. Michelson’s gallery also incorporates a wide range of illustration
art, including original works by Theodor Geisel
(Dr. Seuss), Mo Willems
, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein
, Trina Schart Hyman
, Maurice Sendak
, Barry Moser
, Tony DiTerlizzi
, Mary Azarian
, E.B. Lewis
, Diane DeGroat, and Jules Feiffer
.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Michelson experienced personal tragedy early in life when his father, a shopkeeper, was killed during a robbery. The horrors of the holocaust also figured strongly; Michelson's aunt, recalling her years as a young Jew living in Europe, is haunted by memories of Hitler's Gestapo
. While his poetry for adults—published in the collections Tap Dancing for the Relatives and Battles and Lullabies—reflects the serious nature of his reflections on history, racism, and culture, his work for younger readers is inspired by his love of, and respect for family and culture.
In picture books such as Grandpa's Gamble, Too Young for Yiddish, and Happy Feet Michelson depicts close-knit family relationships. Reflecting his own Jewish traditions, Grandpa's Gamble finds a young boy trying to understand why his elderly grandfather spends so much time in prayerful silence. When the boy's question is answered by Grandpa Sam, the boy learns about the persecution of Jews in Poland many years before, and about how his immigrant grandfather had used the opportunities available in America to become a wealthy man before the illness of a child humbled him and caused him to return to his faith. Too Young for Yiddish again finds a boy turning to his grandfather, or Zayde, for guidance, this time with the hope of learning Yiddish. Although the man dismisses the child's request due to the boy's youth, his collection of books create a connection between the two generations as time passes. In Booklist Hazel Rochman deemed Grandpa's Gamble a "moving immigrant Passover story" that brings to life "the intimate bonds of love and faith across generations," while a Publishers Weekly critic wrote that Too Young for Yiddish "possesses both power and pathos" and stands as an "urgent" reminder to readers that the Yiddish language is slowly being lost to time. A Detroit Jewish News critic wrote "One of the best Jewish children's books published in recent memory, and one of the top 25 ever published."
Although the family is African American, Happy Feet is similar in theme to Michelson's Jewish-themed picture books because it centers on a strong family. Focusing on the parent-child relationship, the story is narrated by a young boy whose father runs a business across the street from Harlem's Savoy ballroom, where the family has a front-row seat to the parade of culture, swing music, dance, and celebrity that passes through the dance palace's doors. Showcasing the rich culture that flowered in that New York neighborhood during the early twentieth century, Happy Feet serves as "a valentine to the renowned Savoy" as well as a "tribute [that] will take young readers back to Harlem-as-it-was," according to a Kirkus Reviews writer. The "beautifully lit, expressive watercolor" illustrations by Caldecott Medal-winning artist E.B. Lewis
add to the book's magic, according to Booklist contributor Carolyn Phelan, and in School Library Journal Nina Lindsay deemed Happy Feet a "charming" story in which Michelson presents "a dramatic read-aloud introduction" to the Jazz Era. Across the Alley,is about Abe and Willie, next door neighbors. During the day they don't play together, because Abe is Jewish and Willie is black. But at night, when nobody is watching, they're best friends. The Kirkus Review says “Set during the time of segregation, the story lends hope for a future without racism... A beautiful blend of story and art." This book was runner up for the National Jewish Book Award 2007. As Good As Anybody is also about the friendship between blacks and Jews. In a starred review, Booklist (American Library Association)said “In this powerful, well-crafted story about a partnership between two great civil rights leaders, Michelson shows how the fight for human rights affects everyone... Michelson writes in poetic language that gracefully uses repetitive sentence structures and themes to emphasize the similarities between the two men’s lives. Also admirable is Michelson’s ability to convey complex historical concepts, such as segregation, in clear, potent terms that will speak directly to readers:...an exceptional title for sharing and discussion.
Booklist, September 1, 1993, Ilene Cooper, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 69;
October 15, 1996, Hazel Rochman, review of Animals That Ought to Be: Poems about Imaginary Pets, p. 427;
March 15, 1999, Hazel Rochman, review of Grandpa's Gamble, p. 1333;
October 1, 2000, Michael Cart, review of Ten Times Better, p. 343;
November 1, 2005, Carolyn Phelan, review of Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me, p. 60.
Daily Hampshire Gazette (Amherst, MA), May 3, 2006, Bonnie Wells, "Poetry That Speaks of Everyday Cruelties and Love."
Horn Book, March–April, 1994, Lolly Robinson, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 192;
November–December, 1996, Mary M. Burns, review of Animals That Ought to Be, p. 754;
September, 1999, Mary M. Burns, review of A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise, p. 620.
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2002, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 106;
November 1, 2005, review of Happy Feet, p. 1186.
New Yorker, December 13, 1993, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 117.
Publishers Weekly, August 2, 1993, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 81;
September 23, 1996, review of Animals That Ought to Be, p. 76; March 22, 1999, review of Grandpa's Gamble, p. 90;
August 2, 1999, review of A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise, p. 82;
July 31, 2000, review of Ten Times Better, p. 94;
January 14, 2002, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 60.
School Library Journal, October, 2000, Nina Lindsay, review of Ten Times Better, p. 190;
March, 2002, Linda R. Silver, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 198;
November, 2005, Nina Lindsay, review of Happy Feet, p. 100.
In January 2009, As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom, was awarded the Sydney Taylor Book Award Gold Medal from the Association of Jewish Libraries, and A is for Abraham, was awarded the Silver Medal. This is the first time in the award's 41-year history that one author has been honored with their top two awards.
Michelson has twice been a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award (2008, 2006) and twice the recipient of the Skipping Stone Multicultural Book Award (2009, 2003). Other recent recognition include a 2009 Massachusetts Book Award Finalist, a 2007 Teacher’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association, and a 2007 Publisher Weekly Best Book Award.
Clemson University named Michelson as the Richard J. Calhoun Distinguished Reader in American Literature for 2008, and he was the featured poet for the 20th Anniversary edition of Image Journal: Art Faith Mystery. Michelson's poetry has been included in many anthologies, including The Norton Introduction to Poetry, Unsettling America: Contemporary Multicultural Poetry, and Blood to Remember: American Poets on the Holocaust. His latest collection, Battles & Lullabies, published by the University of Illinois Press, was selected as one of the 12 best poetry books of 2006 by ForeWord Magazine.
Michelson has lectured, and read from his works in India, Eastern Europe, and throughout the United States. He represented the United States at the Bratislava Biennial of Children’s Books in 2005. Michelson has written for the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, Nextbook
Nextbook
Nextbook is a nonprofit, Jewish organization founded in 2003 to promote Jewish literature, culture, and ideas. The organization sponsors public lectures, commissions books on Jewish topics, and publishes an online magazine, Tablet Magazine....
and other publications. He is the Curator of Exhibitions at the National Yiddish Book Center
National Yiddish Book Center
The National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States, on the campus of Hampshire College. It is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation of books in the Yiddish language. It is a member of Museums10 and is a non-profit institution, and its cultural programs are...
and owns R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
.
Personal
Born in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, NY; son of a shopkeeper, Maurice, and homemaker, Caroline (Kay);
Wife: Jennifer; children: Marisa, Samuel,
Nationality: American, Religion: Jewish.
Hobbies and other interests: Theatre. Biking.
Addresses
Office—R.Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. Email—RM@RMichelson.com.Career
Poet, children's book author, curator, speaker, and gallery owner. R. Michelson Galleries, Amherst and Northampton, MA, owner. National Yiddish Book Center, curator of exhibitions; guest speaker and lecturer throughout the United States and internationally.Awards and honors
Children’s books:2010 - New York Times: 10 Best Illustrated Books for Busing Brewster
2010 - Amazon.com 12 Best Children’s Books of the Decade for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Sydney Taylor Award - Gold Medal - Association of Jewish Librarians for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Sydney Taylor Award - Silver Medal - Association of Jewish Librarians for A is for Abraham
2009 - Skipping Stones Multicultural Honor Award for As Good As Anybody
2009 - Massachusetts Book Award Finalist As Good As Anybody
2008 - National Jewish Book Award Finalist As Good As Anybody
2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2007 for Tuttle’s Red Barn
2006 - National Jewish Book Award Finalist for Across the Alley
2006 - Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Happy Feet
2003 - Skipping Stones magazine Multicultural Honor Award for Too Young for Yiddish
1999 - Jewish Book Council Book of the Month designation for Grandpa's Gamble
1996 - Children's Book Committee Book of the Year for Animals That Ought to Be
1993 - New Yorker Best Book designation, Did You Say Ghosts
Poetry Books:
Felix Pollack Prize in Poetry; New Letters Literary Award; Pablo Neruda Prize finalist; ForeWard Best Poetry Book Award 2006 for Battle and Lullabies.
For Children
Did You Say Ghosts? (verse collection), illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1993.Animals That Ought to Be: Poems about Imaginary Pets, illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.
A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise (verse collection), illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 1999.
Grandpa's Gamble (picture book), illustrated by Barry Moser, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 1999.
Ten Times Better (verse collection), illustrated by Leonard Baskin, Marshall Cavendish (New York, NY), 2000.
Too Young for Yiddish (picture book), illustrated by Neil Waldman, Talewinds (Watertown, MA), 2002.
Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me (picture book), illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Harcourt (Orlando, FL), 2005.
Across the Alley (picture book), illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Putnam (New York, NY), 2006.
Oh, No, Not Ghosts! (verse collection), illustrated by Adam McCauley, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2006.
Tuttle's Red Barn, illustrated by Mary Azarian, Putnam (New York, NY), 2007.
As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Towards Freedom, illustrated by Raul Colon, Knopf (New York, NY), 2008.
Animals Anonymous (verse collection), illustrated by Scott Fischer, Simon and Schuster (New York, NY) 2008.
A is For Abraham: A Jewish Family Alphabet,(Sleeping Bear Press, 2008) illustrated by Ron Mazellan.
Busing Brewster, illustrated by R.G. Roth (Knopf, 2010).
Poems for Adults
Tap Dancing for the Relatives, illustrated by Barry MoserBarry Moser
Barry Moser is a renowned artist, most famous as a printmaker and illustrator of numerous works of literature.Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1940, Moser studied at the Baylor School, Auburn University, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and did graduate work at the University of...
, University of Central Florida Press (Orlando, FL), 1985.
Semblant, illustrated by Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin was an American sculptor, book-illustrator, wood-engraver, printmaker, graphic artist, writer and teacher.-Life and work:...
, Gehenna Press (Rockport, ME). 1992.
Masks, illustrated by Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin was an American sculptor, book-illustrator, wood-engraver, printmaker, graphic artist, writer and teacher.-Life and work:...
, Gehenna Press (Rockport, ME), 1999.
Battles and Lullabies, University of Illinois Press (Urbana, IL), 2006.
Poetry included in anthologies, such as The Norton Introduction to Poetry, and published in periodicals such as New Letters and Poetry Northwest. Contributor of book reviews to New York Times Book Review.
Work in Progress
Lipman Pike: First professional Baseball Player and Jewish Home Run King, illustrated by Zak Pullen (Sleeping Bear, 2011)County Fair, illustrated by Mary Azarian (Putnam, 2012)
Sidelight
In addition to writing, Michelson is the owner of the R. Michelson Galleries, and exhibits the works of numerous contemporary sculptors, painters, and printmakers in his gallery located in Northampton, Massachusetts. His gallery showcases well known artists such as Leonard BaskinLeonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin was an American sculptor, book-illustrator, wood-engraver, printmaker, graphic artist, writer and teacher.-Life and work:...
(sculptor and printmaker), Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
(photographer, actor), Randall Deihl (painter), Thomas Locker
Thomas Locker
Thomas Locker is an American author and painter. He was born in New York City in 1937.Thomas Locker has written many popular illustrated books for children & young adults. He has also illustrated books for other popular writers such as Jean Craighead George...
(landscape artist) and more than 50 additional artists. Michelson’s gallery also incorporates a wide range of illustration
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
art, including original works by Theodor Geisel
Theodor Geisel
Theodor Geisel may refer to:* Dr. Seuss, American author* Theodor Geisel , German physicist...
(Dr. Seuss), Mo Willems
Mo Willems
Mo Willems is an American writer, animator, and children's books author/illustrator.-Early life:Willems was raised in New Orleans, where he graduated from Trinity Episcopal School and the Isidore Newman School. He graduated cum laude from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He married...
, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein
Mordicai Gerstein
Mordicai Gerstein, born November 24, 1935 in Los Angeles, California is an American artist, writer, and film director, best known for illustrating and writing children's books....
, Trina Schart Hyman
Trina Schart Hyman
Trina Schart Hyman was an American illustrator of children's books. She illustrated over 150 books, including fairy tales and Arthurian legends, and was the recipient of three Caldecott Honors and one Caldecott Medal....
, Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963.-Early life:...
, Barry Moser
Barry Moser
Barry Moser is a renowned artist, most famous as a printmaker and illustrator of numerous works of literature.Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1940, Moser studied at the Baylor School, Auburn University, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and did graduate work at the University of...
, Tony DiTerlizzi
Tony DiTerlizzi
Tony M. DiTerlizzi is an American fantasy artist, children's book creator, and motion picture producer.DiTerlizzi created The Spiderwick Chronicles series with Holly Black, and was an executive producer on the 2008 film adaptation of the series. He won a Caldecott Honor Medal for his adaptation of...
, Mary Azarian
Mary Azarian
Mary Azarian is an American woodcut artist and children's book illustrator. In 1999 she won the Caldecott Medal for her book, Snowflake Bentley, a picture book of the life of Wilson Bentley....
, E.B. Lewis
E. B. Lewis (illustrator)
E. B. Lewis is an illustrator, whose watercolors have included such works as Little Cliff and the Porch People. Lewis has been a resident of Folsom, New Jersey....
, Diane DeGroat, and Jules Feiffer
Jules Feiffer
Jules Ralph Feiffer is an American syndicated cartoonist, most notable for his long-run comic strip titled Feiffer. He has created more than 35 books, plays and screenplays...
.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Michelson experienced personal tragedy early in life when his father, a shopkeeper, was killed during a robbery. The horrors of the holocaust also figured strongly; Michelson's aunt, recalling her years as a young Jew living in Europe, is haunted by memories of Hitler's Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
. While his poetry for adults—published in the collections Tap Dancing for the Relatives and Battles and Lullabies—reflects the serious nature of his reflections on history, racism, and culture, his work for younger readers is inspired by his love of, and respect for family and culture.
In picture books such as Grandpa's Gamble, Too Young for Yiddish, and Happy Feet Michelson depicts close-knit family relationships. Reflecting his own Jewish traditions, Grandpa's Gamble finds a young boy trying to understand why his elderly grandfather spends so much time in prayerful silence. When the boy's question is answered by Grandpa Sam, the boy learns about the persecution of Jews in Poland many years before, and about how his immigrant grandfather had used the opportunities available in America to become a wealthy man before the illness of a child humbled him and caused him to return to his faith. Too Young for Yiddish again finds a boy turning to his grandfather, or Zayde, for guidance, this time with the hope of learning Yiddish. Although the man dismisses the child's request due to the boy's youth, his collection of books create a connection between the two generations as time passes. In Booklist Hazel Rochman deemed Grandpa's Gamble a "moving immigrant Passover story" that brings to life "the intimate bonds of love and faith across generations," while a Publishers Weekly critic wrote that Too Young for Yiddish "possesses both power and pathos" and stands as an "urgent" reminder to readers that the Yiddish language is slowly being lost to time. A Detroit Jewish News critic wrote "One of the best Jewish children's books published in recent memory, and one of the top 25 ever published."
Although the family is African American, Happy Feet is similar in theme to Michelson's Jewish-themed picture books because it centers on a strong family. Focusing on the parent-child relationship, the story is narrated by a young boy whose father runs a business across the street from Harlem's Savoy ballroom, where the family has a front-row seat to the parade of culture, swing music, dance, and celebrity that passes through the dance palace's doors. Showcasing the rich culture that flowered in that New York neighborhood during the early twentieth century, Happy Feet serves as "a valentine to the renowned Savoy" as well as a "tribute [that] will take young readers back to Harlem-as-it-was," according to a Kirkus Reviews writer. The "beautifully lit, expressive watercolor" illustrations by Caldecott Medal-winning artist E.B. Lewis
E. B. Lewis (illustrator)
E. B. Lewis is an illustrator, whose watercolors have included such works as Little Cliff and the Porch People. Lewis has been a resident of Folsom, New Jersey....
add to the book's magic, according to Booklist contributor Carolyn Phelan, and in School Library Journal Nina Lindsay deemed Happy Feet a "charming" story in which Michelson presents "a dramatic read-aloud introduction" to the Jazz Era. Across the Alley,is about Abe and Willie, next door neighbors. During the day they don't play together, because Abe is Jewish and Willie is black. But at night, when nobody is watching, they're best friends. The Kirkus Review says “Set during the time of segregation, the story lends hope for a future without racism... A beautiful blend of story and art." This book was runner up for the National Jewish Book Award 2007. As Good As Anybody is also about the friendship between blacks and Jews. In a starred review, Booklist (American Library Association)said “In this powerful, well-crafted story about a partnership between two great civil rights leaders, Michelson shows how the fight for human rights affects everyone... Michelson writes in poetic language that gracefully uses repetitive sentence structures and themes to emphasize the similarities between the two men’s lives. Also admirable is Michelson’s ability to convey complex historical concepts, such as segregation, in clear, potent terms that will speak directly to readers:...an exceptional title for sharing and discussion.
Biographical & Critical Sources
Booklist, September 1, 1993, Ilene Cooper, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 69;
October 15, 1996, Hazel Rochman, review of Animals That Ought to Be: Poems about Imaginary Pets, p. 427;
March 15, 1999, Hazel Rochman, review of Grandpa's Gamble, p. 1333;
October 1, 2000, Michael Cart, review of Ten Times Better, p. 343;
November 1, 2005, Carolyn Phelan, review of Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me, p. 60.
Daily Hampshire Gazette (Amherst, MA), May 3, 2006, Bonnie Wells, "Poetry That Speaks of Everyday Cruelties and Love."
Horn Book, March–April, 1994, Lolly Robinson, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 192;
November–December, 1996, Mary M. Burns, review of Animals That Ought to Be, p. 754;
September, 1999, Mary M. Burns, review of A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise, p. 620.
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2002, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 106;
November 1, 2005, review of Happy Feet, p. 1186.
New Yorker, December 13, 1993, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 117.
Publishers Weekly, August 2, 1993, review of Did You Say Ghosts?, p. 81;
September 23, 1996, review of Animals That Ought to Be, p. 76; March 22, 1999, review of Grandpa's Gamble, p. 90;
August 2, 1999, review of A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise, p. 82;
July 31, 2000, review of Ten Times Better, p. 94;
January 14, 2002, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 60.
School Library Journal, October, 2000, Nina Lindsay, review of Ten Times Better, p. 190;
March, 2002, Linda R. Silver, review of Too Young for Yiddish, p. 198;
November, 2005, Nina Lindsay, review of Happy Feet, p. 100.