Harold Keith facts for kids

Harold Verne Keith (born April 8, 1903 – died February 24, 1998) was a famous American writer. He won the important Newbery Medal for one of his books. Harold Keith was born, grew up, and lived his whole life in Oklahoma. He loved Oklahoma very much. Because of this, he used Oklahoma as the setting for most of the sixteen books he wrote.

Early Life and School Days

Harold Keith was born on April 8, 1903. His birthplace was Lambert, which was part of Oklahoma Territory back then. He was the son of Malcom A. and Arlyn Lee Keith. When he was just 14 years old, in 1917, Harold Keith published his first story. It appeared in a magazine called Lone Scout.

He finished Lambert High School in 1921. After high school, he went to Northwestern State Teachers College. This school is now known as Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He also studied at the University of Oklahoma. From there, he earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1929. Later, in 1938, he earned a master's degree in history. While at the University of Oklahoma, he also worked as the sports editor for the student newspaper. This job started in 1930. For his master's project, he talked to 22 Civil War veterans. They all lived in the area. His project was titled Clem Rogers and His Influence on Oklahoma History.

Harold Keith's Career

From 1922 to 1923, Harold Keith worked as a teacher. He taught at the Aorita Consolidated School System. Then, from 1930 to 1969, he became the very first sports publicist for the University of Oklahoma. A publicist helps share news and information about sports teams. During his time at the university, Keith received many awards for his work in sports information.

After working at the University of Oklahoma, Keith decided to become a full-time writer. He continued writing for the rest of his life. In 1987, he was honored by being added to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Harold Keith was also a great long-distance runner. He ran for coach John Jacobs in 1928. He kept his interest in running even after he retired. He passed away in Norman, Oklahoma on February 24, 1998. He died from heart failure. This happened just before his last book, Chico and Dan, was published.

His Amazing Legacy

Harold Keith received the 1958 Newbery Medal for his historical novel, Rifles for Watie. This book was based on the interviews he did for his master's project. Rifles for Watie also won the 1964 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. This award celebrates books that are considered lasting works of literature.

On May 3, 2015, the Norman Public Library Central was added to a special list. This list is called the United For Libraries Literary Landmarks Register. The library was recognized because it has displayed Keith's 1958 Newbery Award medal. They have shown it in their children's section since 1993.

The University of Oklahoma libraries have a special collection. It is called the Harold Keith Collection. This collection includes his personal papers, letters, and writings. It also has financial records and items that remind people of him. These items are from 1900 to 1993. The collection fills 20 boxes. It also has larger items, like artwork by Keith and his children. It even includes full magazines where Keith's short stories were published.

Books and Recordings

Published Books

• 1917: Short story, published in Lone Scout magazine
• 1937: Will Rogers, a Boy's Life, published by Thomas Y. Crowell
• 1941: Sports and Games, published by Thomas Y. Crowell
• 1948: Oklahoma Kickoff: An Informal History of the First 25 years of Football at the University of Oklahoma, and the Amusing Hardships That Attended It, self-published by the author in Norman, Oklahoma
• 1951: A Pair of Captains, published by Thomas Y. Crowell
• 1957: Rifles for Watie, published by Thomas Y. Crowell (won the 1958 Newbery Award)
• 1964: Baptism of Fire, published by Science Research Associate
• 1965: Komantcia, published by Thomas Y. Crowell (ISBN B002WWDP10)
• 1971: Brief Garland, published by Thomas Y. Crowell (ISBN: 0-690-159692)
• 1971: The Runt of Rogers School, published by Lippincott (ISBN: 0-397-31366-7)
• 1972: Go, Red, go!, published by T. Nelson (ISBN: 0-8407-6217-8)
• 1976: Sports and Games, published by HarperCollins Children's Books; Sixth/Rev edition (ISBN: 0-06-192471-7)
• 1976: Susy's Scoundrel, published by New American Library (won the 1974 Spur Award)
• 1977: The Obstinate Land: Cherokee Strip Run of 1893, published by Thomas Y. Crowell (ISBN: 0-690-01319-1)
• 1978: Oklahoma Kickoff: An Informal History of the First 25 Years of Football at the University of Oklahoma, and of the Amusing Hardships That Attended It, published by Univ of Oklahoma Pr (ISBN: 0-8061-1485-1)
• 1984: Forty-Seven Straight: The Wilkinson Era at Oklahoma, published by Univ of Oklahoma Pr (ISBN: 0-8061-1898-9)
• 1992: The Sound of Strings: Sequel to Komantcia, published by Levite of Apache Pub (ISBN: 0-927562-10-3)
• 1998: Chico and Dan, published by Eakin Press (ISBN: 1-57168-216-3)

Cassette Recordings

• 1999: Rifles for Watie, narrator: Tom Stechschulte, published by Recorded Books LLC (ISBN: 0-7887-3732-5)
• 1999: Rifles for Watie unabridged, narrator: Tom Stechschulte, published by Recorded Books LLC (ISBN: 0-7887-3209-9)