Norma Klein
Norma Klein was an American author born on May 13, 1938, in New York City, known for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. Growing up in a creatively stimulating environment, she attended prestigious schools like the Dalton School and Barnard College, where she developed a passion for writing and literature. Klein's literary career began in the 1960s with short stories, but she transitioned to writing young adult novels in the early 1970s, inspired by the challenges and realities faced by young readers. Her first notable work, "Mom, the Wolf Man, and Me," published in 1972, marked the beginning of her exploration of contemporary urban issues in children's literature, addressing topics such as racism, family dynamics, and sexuality with authenticity.
Klein's writing was characterized by its complex characterizations and emphasis on individuality, resonating with readers who related to the struggles of her characters. While her works were praised for their timely themes, they also faced criticism and censorship due to their candid discussions of controversial subjects. Throughout her career, Klein received several accolades, including the Maxi Award for her novel "Sunshine" and recognition from the New York Public Library. She passed away on April 25, 1989, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering voice in young adult literature that challenged societal norms and encouraged empathy in its readers.
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Norma Klein
Writer
- Born: May 13, 1938
- Birthplace: New York, New York
- Died: April 25, 1989
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
Norma Klein was born on May 13, 1938, in New York City to Freudian psychoanalyst Emanuel Klein and Sadie Frankel Klein. Her parents encouraged her and her younger brother to pursue intellectual activities, especially reading, art, and music. Living in Manhattan, Klein started classes at the Dalton School when she was three years old. At age fourteen she enrolled in courses at Elizabeth Irwin High School, graduating in 1956. Both schools encouraged creative expression. Klein enjoyed reading Russian works, especially Anton Chekhov’s stories.
Klein studied at Cornell University until 1957, transferring to Barnard College, where she majored in Russian and took creative writing classes. She graduated with a B.A. degree and Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1960. Three years later, she earned an M.A. degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University. Klein married cancer researcher Erwin Fleissner on July 27, 1963; they had two daughters and lived in Manhattan. Klein died on April 25, 1989, at Manhattan’s St. Luke’s Hospital.
Klein wrote short stories in college, and the Grecourt Review printed her first published story in 1958. She continued successfully placing short stories in literary publications in the 1960’s. Klein began publishing books in the early 1970’s because she sought a larger readership. She became intrigued by children’s literature when she read to her daughters, and she started writing novels when an agent advised her that young adult novels would sell more quickly than picture books. Klein’s first young adult book, Mom, the Wolf Man, and Me, was published in 1972. She also crafted children’s novels derived from Carol Sobieski’s Sunshine television scripts.
Writing for both teenagers and younger readers, Klein explored issues and situations which were not widely addressed in children’s literature at that time. Her young adult novels featured contemporary urban settings and edgy topics concerning social issues, including racism, family problems, sexuality, and teenagers’ maturation into autonomous adults. She emphasized her characters’ individuality. Klein also wrote poems, short stories, novellas, and novels for adult readers.
Some reviewers and readers disliked Klein’s dismissive attitudes towards non-New York settings and characters and found her works didactic when she promoted a personal cause such as feminism. Others considered her topics timely and her characterizations complex. They admired how Klein depicted young characters’ realistic emotional responses and resilience when confronted by flawed parents and peers. Readers identified with her characters and their concerns, having encountered similar problems or vicariously learning about social situations they had not directly experienced. Some groups censored her books for discussing what they perceived to be controversial subjects.
Some of Klein’s stories were published in anthologies, including the 1963 and 1968 editions of Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards and The Best American Short Stories of 1969. In 1975, Klein’s novel Sunshine (1975) won the Maxi Award for Paperbacks presented by Media and Methods. Three years later, School Library Journal designated her novel Love Is One of the Choices (1978) a notable book. The New York Public Library included Sunshine on its 1980 list of recommended books for teenagers.