The Scott O'Dell Award

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Established by Scott O’Dell and Zena Sutherland in 1982, the Scott O’Dell Award is given for a distinguished work of historical fiction for young readers. To be eligible, a book must be published by a U.S. publisher; the setting must be South, Central or North America; and the author must be a U.S. citizen. Books published during each calendar year are eligible for the following year’s award. Awards are normally given during the annual ALA Conference. However, due to author schedules, awards may be given during the Winter meeting or at the Public Library Association's annual conference. 

The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction's Awards Committee may consider any eligible book, but publishers’ submissions are valuable in bringing books to the attention of the Committee. 

Nominations must be submitted by December 1 each year to be considered. 

To be eligible for the award, a book must have been published as a book intended for children or young people, it must be set in the New World (Canada, Central or South America, or the United States), it must be published by a publisher in the United States, and it must be written in English by a citizen of the United States. 

Each year the selection is made by the Award Committee, which was headed from its inception in 1982 until her death in 2002 by Zena Sutherland, Professor Emeritus of Children's Literature at the University of Chicago.

If you have inquiries regarding the submission process or timeline that the information provided in the column to the right doesn't address, please email Mary Ann Stahr at mstahr1@kent.edu and put “O’Dell Award” in the subject line.

The home of The Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction is the Reinberger Children’s Library Center at the Kent State University iSchool in Kent, Ohio.    

In 2022, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction was moved to Kent State University’s iSchool Reinberger Children’s Library Center. In partnership with Kent State University, the O'Dell family and O'Dell Estate Representatives, Elizabeth Hall (Scott's widow) and Lauren Anderson Gerber (Scott's granddaughter), continue to administer and fund the annual award.

The 2026 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee

Each year, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction recognizes an outstanding work of historical fiction written for young readers—a tradition that continues to inspire authors and audiences alike. The Reinberger Children’s Library Center at Kent State University is pleased to introduce the 2026 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee, the group of dedicated professionals who will evaluate this year’s nominees and select the next recipient of this distinguished literary honor.

2026 O'Dell Committee Chair

Mary Ann Stahr, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Kent State University

Returning for her second term on the committee, Dr. Mary Ann Stahr will serve as Chair for the 2026 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee. Her leadership, deep expertise in education and library science, and long-standing commitment to youth literacy bring valuable continuity and insight to this year’s selection process.

2026 Committee Members

Emma Wright

Graduate Student, Kent State University / Children’s Assistant, Wood County District Public Library

Emma Wright joined the committee as part of a specialized internship program developed by the Reinberger Children’s Library Center. This initiative offers iSchool graduate students focusing their studies in youth services the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in book award committee work. Participants earn four graduate credit hours while gaining valuable professional experience working alongside established practitioners in the field. Through this internship, students develop practical skills in literary evaluation and deepen their understanding of the responsibilities and collaborative processes behind national award selection.

Other Committee Members

Sue Michalowski

Librarian, St. John of the Cross School

Lisa Mulvenna

Head of Children’s and Teen Services, Clinton-Macomb Public Library

Stephanie Raub

Media Specialist, East Woods Intermediate, Hudson City School District

Kate Davis

Youth and Inclusive Services Consultant, Prairie Lakes Library System

Bringing together expertise from schools, libraries, and educational organizations across the Midwest, the 2026 committee continues the legacy of thoughtful selection and deep appreciation for quality historical fiction for young readers.

About Kent State University’s Reinberger Children’s Library Center

The Reinberger Children’s Library Center (RCLC) at Kent State University is a hub for research, creativity, and collaboration in children’s literature and youth services. The center’s mission is to promote inclusive and culturally responsive literature that reflects diverse experiences, supports children’s learning, and nurtures their growth as global citizens.

The RCLC’s special collections include more than 40,000 children’s books, original picturebook art, posters, and related materials. Among these treasures is the celebrated Marantz Picturebook Collection, a one-of-a-kind archive organized by illustrator.

The center also supports scholarship and creative work through the Jacqueline M. Albers Guest Scholar in Children’s Literature Fellowship and the Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz Fellowship. In addition, the RCLC offers volunteer opportunities, internships, and a Writer/Illustrator-in-Residence Program, connecting students, scholars, and creators to its rich resources.

For more information about the Reinberger Children’s Library Center or its programs, please contact Michelle Baldini at mbaldini@kent.edu

Books may be submitted throughout the year to the Award Committee. However, to be considered, submissions must be received by the Award Committee by December 1st of each year. 

An Awards Nomination Form (download below) must be submitted with the required information for each title you wish to bring to the attention of the Award Committee. 

Send the following information directly to Committee Chair, Mary Ann Stahr, at mstahr1@kent.edu.

• Indicate O’Dell Award Nomination Candidate in the subject line; 
• Submit Book Title (include a subtitle if there is one), Author, Publisher, Month and Year of Publication; 
• Include Name, telephone number, and e-mail address of the publishing house contact. 

The Chair will send a roster to interested parties so that all committee members may receive a copy of the nominated title. 

In addition to print copies of nominated titles, the committee will also accept directly submitted PDFs or e-galleys via Edelweiss, which should whitelist the committee emails and have no expiration date, and committee members should be emailed notice of the Edelweiss submission. 

 Once the award recipient is selected and the publisher and/or literary agent is notified, the publisher must provide two additional copies of the selected book to the Committee for the O’Dell family.

If you have inquiries regarding the submission process or timeline that the information provided doesn't address, please email Uma Nori at uma@fordlibrary.org and put “O’Dell Award” in the subject line.