Liz Rosenberg

Liz Rosenberg (born Lizbeth Meg Rosenberg, February 3, 1955) is an American poet, novelist, children's book author, and book reviewer. She is currently a professor of English at Binghamton University, and in previous years has taught at Colgate University, Sarah Lawrence College, Hamilton College, Bennington College, and Hollins College. Her children's book reviews appear monthly in The Boston Globe.

Life

Beginnings

Rosenberg was born on Long Island to parents Ross and Lucille Rosenberg. She grew up in Syosset, New York with her older sister, Ellen. It was her sister Ellen who taught her to read when Liz was only two. She and her father would illustrate and write books for their youngest. Rosenberg's interest in poetry and literature started at an early age and her first poem came at eight. She wrote her first "novel" at age nine, in the fourth grade, but did not publish a novel till Heart and Soul, a Young Adult novel it took her twenty years to complete.

Her father owned a tool manufacturing company in Smithtown Long Island, which he ran with several cousins.ROSCO Tools was sold to Vermont American in the 1980s. Her mother worked briefly in publishing, and then stayed home to care for her two children. Her maternal aunt, Madleyn Cates, was a well-established actress who appeared on Broadway, in TV shows and films, including the famous "concierge" bit in Mel Brooks' original film The Producers. Madelyn's middle daughter, Kathryn Kates, has continued the acting tradition, and has been featured in numerous TV shows, commercials and films, including a recurring role on Seinfeld as the famous "Babka Lady".