Children’s nonfiction author and former children’s librarian Norman H. Finkelstein, best known for his works exploring aspects of the Jewish experience, died January 5, in Framingham, Mass., following an unexpected illness. He was 82.
Norman Henry Finkelstein was born on November 10, 1941, to Sydney and Mollie Finkelstein and grew up in Chelsea, Mass., a northeastern suburb of Boston, then home to a vibrant Jewish community. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Hebrew College in Newton Centre, Mass., as well as bachelor’s, master’s, and CAGS degrees from Boston University. He married Rosalind Brandt, his wife of 56 years, in 1967, and the couple raised three children.
In 1970, Finkelstein began a 30+-year career as a library media specialist in the Brookline Public Schools. He also served as a teacher and educational director at Camp Yavneh in Northwood, N.H., in the 1980s, and taught Jewish history at Hebrew College for many years.
From an early age, Finkelstein was fascinated with politics and world news. His passion for current events and his work with students dovetailed when he decided to try his hand at writing nonfiction that would hook young readers. His first book, Remember Not to Forget: A Memory of the Holocaust, was published by Franklin Watts in 1984 and was inspired by what Finkelstein saw as a dearth of literature on the subject for kids and teens. Two subsequent titles, Heeding the Call: Jewish Voices in America’s Civil Rights Struggle (Jewish Publication Society, 1997) and Forged in Freedom: Shaping the Jewish-American Experience (Jewish Publication Society, 2002), both won the National Jewish Book Award, and his books received numerous notable designations and citations from trade and educational organizations.
In all, Finkelstein created more than 20 works for children and young adults. Next month, Holiday House will publish his picture book, Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants, illustrated by Vesper Stamper.
Della Farrell, associate editor at Holiday House and Finkelstein’s editor, shared this tribute: “Norm was endlessly insightful and creative and always a joy to talk to. His incredible books championed the vital contributions of Jewish Americans, immigrants, and workers to U.S. history and culture, so future generations wouldn’t forget all their hard-fought accomplishments. I can’t think of a better legacy and I feel privileged to have worked with him on Amazing Abe.”
