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Born on August 21st and raised in Dover, New Jersey, X.J. Kennedy was christened Joseph Kennedy. The similarity in names bothered him, so he put the X out front. His friends call him Joe.
He graduated from Columbia University with a master's degree, studied at the Sorbonne, and finally studied for his PhD at the University of Michigan. It was here that he met his wife and sometimes collaborator, Dorothy Kennedy. He has taught English at many colleges, including the University of Michigan, the University of North Carolina, Tufts, Wellesley, and the University of California Irvine.
His many books of poetry for children include Talking Like the Rain (ALA Notable Book and New York Times Best Book of the Year) and Knock at a Star: a Child's Introduction to Poetry, both co-authored with his wife, Dorothy Kennedy.
He has been honored with the National Council of Teachers of English Year 2000 Award for Excellence in Children's Poetry. The Kennedys live in Lexington, Massachusetts.
—Vicki Palmquist |
