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The Scott O'Dell Award

The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Since 2022, the award has been proudly administered by Â鶹¾«Ñ¡â€™s Reinberger Children’s Library Center, part of the School of Information. The Center continues the legacy of the O’Dell family, supporting authors who write engaging historical fiction for youth.

Each year, a selection committee of librarians, educators, and scholars evaluates eligible works and chooses one outstanding book to receive the award. The annual $5,000 prize celebrates exceptional storytelling and historical accuracy for young audiences.

The Winners of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Thumbnial of the cover of The Color of a Lie book

The Color of a Lie - The 2025 Winner
 By Kim Johnson

Set against the backdrop of 1955 America, The Color of a Lie presents a gripping exploration of racial identity during the height of white flight to the suburbs. After a family tragedy, Calvin and his family make the decision to pass as white in a segregated community.

 

 

 

Book cover showing girl riding horse jumping with title Bea and the New Deal Horse

Bea and the New Deal Horse - The 2024 Winner
by L.M. Elliott

Bea and the New Deal Horse transports readers to the challenging period of the Great Depression. It is a poignant tale that celebrates the resilience of the indomitable American spirit, the profound connections of discovered kinship, and the enchanting alliance between a young girl and a remarkable horse. 

 

 

Cover of YA novel called African Town

African Town - The 2023 Winner
by Irene Latham & Charles Waters

With vivid prose, the authors narrate voices inspired by the last survivors of the transatlantic slave trade and follow their lives as they settle in Alabama. While suffering the atrocities of slavery, they dream of returning home to Africa for a better life.  Despite the odds against them, they channel their hope to find ways to love and live again and form their own community in Africantown. 

The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical FIction Selection Committees

Â鶹¾«Ñ¡'s Reinberger Children's Library Center is proud to announce the new members of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee. The committee is responsible for choosing the best historical fiction books for young readers each year. We are excited to welcome the new members and look forward to seeing the winner they choose for this year's award.

2026 Scott O'Dell Award Committee

Members of the 2026 O'Dell Award Committee

  • Chair, Dr. Mary Ann Stahr, Assistant Professor – Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information, Kent, OH
  • Emma Wright - Graduate Student, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ / Children’s Assistant, Wood County District Public Library, Bowling Green, OH
  • Sue Michalowski - Librarian, St. John of the Cross School, Western Springs, IL
  • Lisa Mulvenna - Head of Children’s and Teen Services, Clinton-Macomb Public Library, Clinton Township, OH
  • Stephanie Raub - Media Specialist, East Woods Intermediate, Hudson City School District, Hudson, OH
  • Kate Davis - Youth and Inclusive Services Consultant, Prairie Lakes Library System, Milton, WI
     
2025 Scott O'Dell Award Committee

Members of the 2025 O'Dell Award Committee

  • Chair, Uma Nori - Head of Youth Services at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, Western Springs, IL
  • Mary Ann Stahr, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information, Kent, OH
  • Jessica Wise - Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information, Graduate Student / Youth Services Specialist, Columbus, OH
  • Mackenna Dasco - Library Media Specialist at Shaker Heights Middle School, Shaker Heights, OH
  • Christy Kepler - Head of Youth Services at the Oswego Public Library District, Montgomery, IL
  • Maura Moore - Teacher, Language Arts Grade 5 at St. John of the Cross Parish School, Western Springs, IL
  • Desiree Thomas - Youth Services Librarian at Worthington Libraries, Columbus, OH
     
2024 Scott O'Dell Award Committee

Members of the 2024 O'Dell Award Committee

  • Chair, Maria Trivisonno - Family Engagement Specialist, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
  • Kristen Blackshear - Social Studies Teacher, Glenwood School, Smiths Station, AL, and Adjunct History Instructor, Southern Union State Community College, Opelika, AL
  • Marianne Martens, Ph.D. – Professor, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ School of Information, Kent, OH
  • Mary Anne Nichols - Senior Lecturer, Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ School of Information, Kent, OH
  • Uma Nori - Head, Youth Services, Thomas Ford Memorial Library, Western Springs
  • Debra Liddell Quarles - Retired Library and Information Specialist, Shaker Heights City Schools, Shaker Heights, OH
  • Mike Rogalla - Children's Services Manager, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
  • Kerry Shelton - Principal, St. Gabriel Consolidated School, Glendale, OH 
2023 Scott O'Dell Award Committee

Members of the 2023 O'Dell Award Committee

  • Chair, Mary Ann Stahr - Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information
  • Michelle Baldini - Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information
  • Dr. Katie Campana – Â鶹¾«Ñ¡School of Information
  • Dr. Deleon M.W. Awill - East Baton Rouge (LA) Schools
  • Alexandra Bell - Bloomington (IL) Public Library
  • Angela Durham - Oak Pointe Elementary (SC) School
  • Kevin Lee - Washington DC Public Schools
  • Helen A. Prince - Indian Land High School (SC) School 
  • Rachel Sweany - New York Public Library  
  • Maria Trivisonno - Cuyahoga County (OH) Public Library

About The Award for Historical Fiction

Image of author Scott O'Dell

In 1982, Scott O'Dell established The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The annual award of $5,000 goes to an author for a meritorious book published in the previous year for children or young adults. Scott O'Dell established this award to encourage other writers to focus on historical fiction. He hoped in this way to increase the interest of young readers in the historical background that has helped to shape their country and their world. To learn more, .

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