Richard Michelson (born July 3, 1953) is a poet and a
children's book
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...
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
The Sydney Taylor Book Award recognizes the best in Jewish children's literature. Medals are awarded annually for outstanding books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The award was established in 1968 by the Association of Jewish L ...
Gold Medal from the
Association of Jewish Libraries
The Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) is an international organization dedicated to the production, collection, organization and dissemination of Judaic resources as a library, media, and information service. AJL has members in the United St ...
, and ''A is for Abraham,'' was awarded the Silver Medal. This is the first time in the award's 50-year history that one author has been honored with their top two awards. Michelson received his 2nd Silver Medal in 2017 and his 2nd Gold Medal in 2018.
Michelson has twice been a finalist for the
National Jewish Book Award
The Jewish Book Council (Hebrew: ), founded in 1943, is an American organization encouraging and contributing to Jewish literature. The goal of the council, as stated on its website, is "to promote the reading, writing and publishing of qual ...
(2008, 2006) and won the 2017
National Jewish Book Award
The Jewish Book Council (Hebrew: ), founded in 1943, is an American organization encouraging and contributing to Jewish literature. The goal of the council, as stated on its website, is "to promote the reading, writing and publishing of qual ...
for ''The Language of Angels''. He was twice the recipient of the Skipping Stone Multicultural Book Award (2009, 2003). Other recognition include a National Network of Teachers of the Year Social Justice Award 2017, two Massachusetts Book Award Finalist (2017, 2009), two NYTimes Notable Children's Books (2010, 2011), a 2007 Teacher's Choice Award from the International Reading Association, and a 2007 Publishers Weekly Best Book Award. In 2019 Michelson became the sixth recipient of the Samuel Minot Jones Award for Literary Achievement.
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''. ''Battles & Lullabies'', published by the University of Illinois Press, was selected as one of the 12 best poetry books of 2006 by ForeWord Magazine.
''More Money than God'', published by the University of Pittsburgh Press, was runner up for the 2016 Paterson Prize. ''Sleeping as Fast as I Can'' (Slant Books) is forthcoming in April 2023.
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
''The New York Times Book Review'' (''NYTBR'') is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to the Sunday edition of ''The New York Times'' in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely rea ...
,
Publishers Weekly
''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...
,
Nextbook
Nextbook is a nonprofit Jewish organization founded in 2003 by Elaine Bernstein's Keren Keshet Foundation to promote Jewish literacy and support Jewish literature, culture and ideas. The organization sponsors public lectures, commissions books o ...
and other publications. He was the Curator of Exhibitions at the
National Yiddish Book Center
The Yiddish Book Center (formerly the National Yiddish Book Center), located on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States, is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation of books in the Yiddish language, ...
and owns R. Michelson Galleries in
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of Northampton (including its outer villages, Florence, Massachusetts, Florence and ...
.
Personal life
Born in
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
, Michelson was the son of a shopkeeper, Maurice, and homemaker, Caroline (Kay). Michelson experienced personal tragedy in his late twenties when his father was killed during a robbery. The horrors of the
holocaust
The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...
also figured strongly; Michelson's aunt, recalling her years as a young Jew living in Europe, is haunted by memories of Hitler's
Gestapo
The (, ), Syllabic abbreviation, abbreviated Gestapo (), was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe.
The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of F ...
. 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 1972, when Michelson was only 19, he set off on a tour of the mid-west, selling fine-art reproductions for three years and subsequently becoming devoted to art and literature. It was during this time that Michelson met his wife to-date, Jennifer Michelson, currently an Interfaith Minister.
Michelson's wife, Jennifer, and he have two children, Marisa and Samuel. Marisa is a composer and playwright. Samuel is the Director of Operations at a high end architectural hardware company calle
Nanz Their hobbies include theater and biking.
Career
Richard Michelson is a poet, children's book author, curator, speaker, and owner of R. Michelson Galleries located in Northampton, MA. He has also curated exhibitions at the National Yiddish Book Center. Michelson is a popular guest speaker and lecturer. He has traveled throughout the world talking to children and teachers about his love of poetry and social justice.
In 1976, Michelson was able to open his first art gallery which he ran for three years before moving back to the east coast and opening the R. Michelson Galleries, a 4-story monumental old bank building with 60 ft. ceilings and marble floors located in Northampton MA, which Michelson continues to run to this day. It exhibits the works of numerous contemporary sculptors, painters, and printmakers. His gallery showcases well known artists such as
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin (August 15, 1922 – June 3, 2000) was an American sculptor, draughtsman and graphic artist, as well as founder of the Gehenna Press (1942–2000). One of America's first fine arts presses, it went on to become "one of the most imp ...
(sculptor and printmaker),
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy ( ; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor and director, famous for playing Spock in the ''Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes Development of Spock, originating Spock in Star Trek: T ...
(photographer, actor), Randall Deihl (painter),
Thomas Locker (landscape artist) and more than 50 additional artists. It also incorporates a wide range of
illustration
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation, or visual explanation of a text, concept, or process, designed for integration in print and digitally published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, vi ...
art, including original works by
Theodor Seuss Geisel,
Mo Willems
Mo Willems (born February 11, 1968) is an American writer, animator, voice actor, and children's book author. His work includes creating the animated television series '' Sheep in the Big City'' for Cartoon Network, working on '' Sesame Stre ...
,
Jane Dyer,
Mordicai Gerstein,
Trina Schart Hyman
Trina Schart Hyman (April 8, 1939 – November 19, 2004) was an American illustrator of children's books. She illustrated over 150 books, including fairy tales and Arthurian legends. She won the 1985 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustra ...
,
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Bernard Sendak (; June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. Born to Polish-Jewish parents, his childhood was impacted by the death of many of his family members during the Holocaust. Send ...
,
Barry Moser
Barry Moser (born 1940) is an American visual artist and educator, known as a printmaker specializing in wood engravings, and an illustrator of numerous works of literature. He is also the owner and operator of the Pennyroyal Press, an engraving a ...
,
Tony DiTerlizzi
Tony M. DiTerlizzi (born September 6, 1969) is an American fantasy artist, children's book creator, and motion picture producer.
In the gaming industry, he is best known for his work in the collectible card game '' Magic: The Gathering'' and on ...
,
Mary Azarian,
E. B. Lewis, Diane DeGroat, and
Jules Feiffer
Jules Ralph Feiffer ( ; January 26, 1929 – January 17, 2025) was an American cartoonist and author, who at one time was considered the most widely read satirist in the country. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for Pulitzer Prize for Editori ...
.
Michelson host
Northampton Poetry Radio and served two terms as Poet Laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts.
Bibliography
Children's books
* ''One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor'', Illustrated by Sarah Green (Astra- Calkins Creek, 2024)
* ''The Language of Angels'', Illustrated by Karla Gudeon (Charlesbridge, 2017).
* ''Fascinating'', Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Knopf, 2016).
* ''S is for Sea Glass'', Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger (Sleeping Bear Press, 2014).
* ''Twice as Good'', Illustrated by
Eric Velasquez (Sleeping Bear Press, 2012).
* ''Lipman Pike'', Illustrated by Zachary Pullen (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011).
* ''Busing Brewster'', illustrated by R.G. Roth (Knopf, 2010).
* ''A is For Abraham: A Jewish Family Alphabet'', Illustrated by Ron Mazellan (Sleeping Bear Press, 2008).
* ''Animals Anonymous'' (verse collection), Illustrated by Scott Fischer (Simon & Schuster, 2008).
* ''As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Towards Freedom'', Illustrated by Raul Colon (Knopf, 2008).
* ''Tuttle's Red Barn'', Illustrated by Mary Azarian (Putnam, 2007).
* ''Oh, No, Not Ghosts!'' (verse collection), Illustrated by Adam McCauley (Harcourt, 2006).
* ''Across the Alley'' (picture book), Illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Putnam, 2006).
* ''Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me'', Illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Harcourt), 2005).
* ''Too Young for Yiddish'', Illustrated by Neil Waldman (Talewinds, 2002).
* ''Ten Times Better'' (verse collection), Illustrated by Leonard Baskin (Marshall Cavendish, 2000).
* ''Grandpa's Gamble'', Illustrated by Barry Moser (Marshall Cavendish, 1999).
* ''A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise'' (verse collection), Illustrated by Leonard Baskin (Marshall Cavendish, 1999).
* ''Animals That Ought to Be: Poems about Imaginary Pets'', Illustrated by Leonard Baskin (Simon & Schuster, 1996).
* ''Did You Say Ghosts?'' (verse collection), Illustrated by Leonard Baskin (Macmillan, 1993).
Forthcoming
* ''Next Year in the White House: The Journey to Barack Obama's First Presidential Seder'', illustrated by EB Lewis (Crown Books for Young readers, Spring 2025)
* ''More Than Enough'': a story inspired by Maimonides Golden Ladder of Giving, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. (Peachtree, Spring 2025)
* ''What Louis Brandeis Knows: A Crusader for Social Justice Becomes a Supreme Court Justice,'' illustrated by Stacy Innerst (Astra- Calkins Creek, Fall 2025)
* ''Fanny's Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week was Born'', Illustrated by Alyssa Russell (Rocky Pond- Penguin Random House, Fall 2025)
* ''The Passover Sandwich'' (Peachtree, Spring 2026)
Poems for Adults
* ''Sleeping as Fast as I Can'' (Slant Books, 2023)
* ''More Money than God'' (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2015)
* ''Battles and Lullabies'', University of Illinois Press (Urbana, IL), 2006.
* ''Masks'', Illustrated by
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin (August 15, 1922 – June 3, 2000) was an American sculptor, draughtsman and graphic artist, as well as founder of the Gehenna Press (1942–2000). One of America's first fine arts presses, it went on to become "one of the most imp ...
, Gehenna Press (Rockport, ME), 1999.
* ''Semblant'', Illustrated by
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin (August 15, 1922 – June 3, 2000) was an American sculptor, draughtsman and graphic artist, as well as founder of the Gehenna Press (1942–2000). One of America's first fine arts presses, it went on to become "one of the most imp ...
(Gehenna Press, 1992).
* ''Tap Dancing for the Relatives'', Illustrated by
Barry Moser
Barry Moser (born 1940) is an American visual artist and educator, known as a printmaker specializing in wood engravings, and an illustrator of numerous works of literature. He is also the owner and operator of the Pennyroyal Press, an engraving a ...
(University of Central Florida Press, 1985).
Themes & Influences
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
Yiddish, historically Judeo-German, is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated in 9th-century Central Europe, and provided the nascent Ashkenazi community with a vernacular based on High German fused with ...
. 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
hat
A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
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.
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.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Michelson, Richard
1953 births
Living people
American male poets
Writers from Brooklyn
American children's writers
American children's poets
Jewish American children's writers
21st-century American Jews
Jews from New York (state)
National Jewish Book Award winners