麻豆精选

L.M. Elliott Wins The Scott O'Dell Award For Historical Fiction

The Scott O鈥橠ell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee is thrilled to announce that the winner of the 2024 award is Bea and the New Deal Horse by L.M. Elliott, published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Cover of the young adult novel Bea and the New Deal Horse

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. 

"From the book鈥檚 first chapter, the reader cannot help but root for Bea to successfully overcome the hardships she faces during this tumultuous time in American history," said Maria Trivisonno, Family Engagement Specialist for Cuyahoga County Public Library and Chair of the 2024 Committee. "The committee appreciated both how accessible Bea鈥檚 story was to middle grade readers while not sugarcoating the realities of the Great Depression and the depth of research done by L.M. Elliott to support the story she created.鈥

"Bea's journey is particularly dear to me, having grown up knowing some wondrously strong-willed, independent, slightly intimidating older women and listening to family elders describe the no-nonsense kindness they witnessed as children during the Great Depression, especially in rural communities."

A New York Times best-selling author, L.M. Elliot is renowned for her compelling historical fiction. Her work has explored a wide range of captivating eras, including the Italian Renaissance, the American Revolution, World War II, the Cold War and the Great Depression.  After learning about her award, the author expressed, 鈥淚 am thrilled by the Scott O'Dell Committee鈥檚 recognition of Bea and the New Deal Horse and am so very honored that Bea will be joining previous winning books that I have long admired. Bea's journey is particularly dear to me, having grown up knowing some wondrously strong-willed, independent, slightly intimidating older women and listening to family elders describe the no-nonsense kindness they witnessed as children during the Great Depression, especially in rural communities. Bea also gave me the chance to write a love song to horse women, their grit, their fierce loyalty, and the extraordinary symbiosis possible between a teenage rider and horse.鈥

The 2024 Committee members included Maria Trivisonno (Chair), 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, 麻豆精选 School of Information, Kent, OH; Mary Anne Nichols, Senior Lecturer, 麻豆精选 School of Information, Kent, OH; Uma Nori, Head, Youth Services, Thomas Ford Memorial Library, Western Springs, IL; 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; and Kerry Shelton, Principal, St. Gabriel Consolidated School, Glendale, OH.

The Scott O鈥橠ell Award for Historical Fiction was established in 1982 by children鈥檚 author Scott O鈥橠ell to encourage the writing of historical fiction for young readers. The award, administered by the matriarch of the O鈥橠ell family, Elizabeth Hall, offers a prize of $5,000.00 to an author of a distinguished work of historical fiction set in the Americas and published by a U.S. publisher. For more information about Scott O鈥橠ell and the Scott O鈥橠ell Award, please visit .

 


About 麻豆精选 School of Information鈥檚 Reinberger Children鈥檚 Library Center

As part of its mission, the Reinberger Children鈥檚 Library Center (Reinberger Center) serves as a research facility on the 麻豆精选Campus and works to cultivate a community of diverse and passionate individuals, including faculty, students, staff, practitioners, researchers, authors, illustrators, children鈥檚 book creators, and community members, who are committed to advancing cross-cultural learning, interdisciplinary research and career exposure in the field of children鈥檚 literature and youth services. 

The Center plays an integral role in its dynamic initiatives, dedicated to fostering education, training, connectivity, and empowerment within its community. Serving as the central hub to The Scott O鈥橠ell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee is one notable example. This esteemed committee comprises a diverse group of experts in children鈥檚 literature, including external professionals such as library practitioners, as well as faculty and professional staff from KSU鈥檚 iSchool. Each year, at least one committee member from the 麻豆精选 School of Information is selected to serve, ensuring continuity and facilitating the onboarding of new members and chairs. This approach allows for fresh perspectives from outside members while ensuring that the knowledge and experience of the 麻豆精选 School of Information members are actively engaged in the committee鈥檚 work.

In the 2025 award cycle, the 麻豆精选 School of Information and the Reinberger Children鈥檚 Library Center is thrilled to offer this valuable professional experience to one of its graduate students. By serving on The O鈥橠ell Selection Committee, the iSchool student will contribute to the center鈥檚 mission and gain practical insights, enhancing their expertise in the field while actively participating in the recognition of outstanding historical fiction for young readers. 

About the Reinberger Collection 
The Reinberger Center at 麻豆精选 is a unique and valuable resource for students, staff, faculty, researchers, and the larger global community. This unique collection includes over 40,000 children's books, original picture book art, posters, and related ephemera, as well as resources for those serving, studying or creating for young people across multiple disciplines.  

Media Contacts:
Michelle Baldini, mbaldini@kent.edu

POSTED: Thursday, January 18, 2024 04:09 PM
Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2024 05:08 PM