The Scott O’Dell 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.
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’s 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’s 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.”
"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, “I am thrilled by the Scott O'Dell Committee’s 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.”
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, Kent State University School of Information, Kent, OH; Mary Anne Nichols, Senior Lecturer, Kent State University 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’Dell Award for Historical Fiction was established in 1982 by children’s author Scott O’Dell to encourage the writing of historical fiction for young readers. The award, administered by the matriarch of the O’Dell 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’Dell and the Scott O’Dell Award, please visit https://scottodell.com/the-scott-odell-award.
About Kent State University School of Information’s Reinberger Children’s Library Center
As part of its mission, the Reinberger Children’s Library Center (Reinberger Center) serves as a research facility on the Kent State Campus and works to cultivate a community of diverse and passionate individuals, including faculty, students, staff, practitioners, researchers, authors, illustrators, children’s book creators, and community members, who are committed to advancing cross-cultural learning, interdisciplinary research and career exposure in the field of children’s 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’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee is one notable example. This esteemed committee comprises a diverse group of experts in children’s literature, including external professionals such as library practitioners, as well as faculty and professional staff from KSU’s iSchool. Each year, at least one committee member from the Kent State University 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 Kent State University School of Information members are actively engaged in the committee’s work.
In the 2025 award cycle, the Kent State University School of Information and the Reinberger Children’s Library Center is thrilled to offer this valuable professional experience to one of its graduate students. By serving on The O’Dell Selection Committee, the iSchool student will contribute to the center’s 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 Kent State University 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