Scott O'Dell

Scott O'Dell was an American writer who wrote mostly for young people, but he also wrote three novels for adults and a few non-fiction books.

O'Dell was born on May 23, 1898 in Los Angeles, USA. His first name is Gabriel Scott but it was incorrectly published in his first published book, so he kept the name, Scott O'Dell. O'Dell grew up in California and went to Occidental College, then at the University of Wisconsin, and after that at Stanford, and finally at the University of Rome. He works as a cameraman and technical director. He was also a book review editor. In WWII he served in the Air Force.

O'Dell started his writing as an article writer. Then he started to write fictional and non-fictional books for adults. Finally, in the late 50s, he started to write children's books. He mostly wrote novels for youth, placed in historical California or Mexico. His most known children's books are Island of the Blue Dolphins, Zia, The Amethyst Ring, The King's Fifth, and The Black Pearl to name a few.

O'Dell won Andersen's prize in 1972 for his literary work and contribution to children's literature.

The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction was established in 1981. And his novel Island of the Blue Dolphins was adapted as a movie in 1964.

O'Dell died on October 15, 1989.