Although Scott O’Dell is known today as an author of children’s books, he only began this part of his career late in life. As a young man, O’Dell worked as a soldier, an assistant on movie sets, and as an author of books for adults. Indeed, his colorful life story features as much adventure as that in his books.
Scott O’Dell was born in Los Angeles, California in 1898. His given name was Odell Gabriel Scott. As a child, O’Dell was always fascinated by the sea, and his family even lived for a time in an island house on stilts. O’Dell’s love of California and the sea is clear from his work. Many of his children’s books, including Island of the Blue Dolphins, Zia, and The Black Pearl...
