Scott O'Dell

Scott O'Dell (1898-1989) was an American writer best known for his historical fiction novels for young readers, particularly those set in historical California and Mexico. His breakthrough work, Island of the Blue Dolphins (1960), won the Newbery Medal and established his reputation, followed by other acclaimed books like The King's Fifth and Sing Down the Moon, which earned Newbery Honors. He received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1972 and founded the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.