Norma Klein

Norma Klein was an American author known for her prolific writing career spanning multiple genres and age groups. Born in New York City, she graduated cum laude from Barnard College with a degree in Russian and later earned a master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University. Klein began publishing short stories during her college years and went on to write novels for children, young adults, and adults. Her works often drew inspiration from everyday life, reflecting her belief that writers should focus on personal experiences and deeply held passions.

Klein's writing career was marked by her versatility and willingness to address contemporary themes relevant to her readers. She gained recognition for her honest portrayals of complex relationships and social issues, particularly in her young adult fiction. Though she passed away in 1989, Klein left behind a substantial literary legacy that continues to resonate with audiences. Her academic background in Slavic languages occasionally influenced her storytelling, adding depth to her characterizations and narrative perspectives.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Mom the Wolf Man and Me 1972
2 Give Me One Good Reason 1973
3 It's Not What You Expect 1973
4 Taking Sides 1974
5 Sunshine 1974
6 Coming to Life 1974
7 What It's All About 1975
8 The Sunshine Years 1975
9 Hiding 1976
10 It's OK If You Don't Love Me 1977
11 Sunshine Christmas 1977
12 Love Is One of the Choices 1978
13 Tomboy 1978
14 French Postcards 1979
15 Breaking Up 1980
16 Domestic Arrangements 1981
17 Wives and Other Women 1982
18 The Queen of What Ifs 1982
19 Beginners' Love 1983
20 The Swap 1983
21 Bizou 1983
22 Angel Face 1984
23 Girls Turn Wives 1984
24 Lovers 1984
25 Family Secrets 1985
26 Give and Take 1985
27 The Cheerleader 1985
28 Snapshots 1986
29 Going Backwards 1986
30 My Life as a Body 1987
31 American Dreams 1987
32 No More Saturday Nights 1988
33 Now That I Know 1988
34 The World As It Is 1989
35 Learning How to Fall 1989
36 Just Friends 1990
Collections
# Title Year
1 Love and Other Euphemisms 1972
2 Sextet in A Minor 1983
Children's Books
# Title Year
1 Confessions of an Only Child 1974
2 A Honey of a Chimp 1980
3 Robbie and the Leap Year Blues 1981
Picture Books
# Title Year
1 Girls Can Be Anything 1973
2 Dinosaur's Housewarming Party 1974
3 A Train for Jane 1974
4 If I Had My Way 1974
5 Blue Trees Red Sky 1975
6 A Surprise Party for Dinosaur 1977
7 Visiting Pamela 1979
8 Naomi in the Middle 1985
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Baryshnikov's Nutcracker 1983
Norma Klein Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Prize Stories 1974: The O'Henry Awards 1974
2 Places I Never Meant To Be 1999