Born and raised in Tulsa, Susan Eloise Hinton began her writing career at 16 with The Outsiders (pub. 1967). This best-selling work has been adapted for film by Francis Ford Coppola and awarded a Tony for its Broadway debut. After Hinton published The Outsiders, she pushed through the writer's block sparked by her first novel's acclaim to complete That Was Then, This is Now in 1970. Rumble Fish followed, first as a short story published in her alma mater's literary journal Nimrod and then as a novel in 1975.

Hinton's prose revitalized the young adult genre, appealing to readers of all ages with its gritty realism, relatable characters, and redemptive themes. Her work continues to resonate today. S. E. Hinton has cemented herself as a notable figure in Oklahoma's literary history.

Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States and a member of the Mvskoke Nation, grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In her latest collection, Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light (pub. 2022), Harjo reflects on her legacy by sharing 50 of her most powerful works, one for each year of an award-winning career. Poet, musician, and playwright, Harjo finds inspiration in everything from motherhood to jazz music. Describing her chosen genre, she says: "All cultures and peoples turn to poetry during times of celebration, transformation, and challenge—those times when ordinary language cannot carry meaning beyond our understanding."

Her tenure as Poet Laureate, along with numerous awards, highlights the impact her voice has had on contemporary poetry. Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings (pub. 2015) was named Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association. The Oklahoma Book Awards, organized by ODL and the Oklahoma Center for the Book, presented An American Sunrise with the 2020 award for Poetry.

Before Traci Sorell became a children's book author, she wrote federal budget requests, legislation, and more on behalf of Native American Nations in Oklahoma. Her career continues to foreground the contemporary lives of people from the First Nations, adding "to the canon of literature showing that Native Nations and their citizens still exist and thrive today." Growing up as an avid reader, she did not see accurate portrayals of her culture in children's literature.

Sorell writes for a young audience hoping that her books will push visibility of Indigenous people beyond harmful stereotypes. She began her career with We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (pub. 2018) which won an American Indian Youth Literature Award, an Orbus Pictus Honor, and a Sibert Medal. Books like Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series and She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller portray inspiring figures from Native American history.

Angie Elbertha Debo moved with her family to Oklahoma Territory before it became a state in 1907. She would spend most of her life here documenting the sovereign Native American nations in at least thirteen books and countless articles. Debo published oral histories and referred to tribal records more than government documents which set her apart from her contemporaries.

The Rise and Fall of the Choctaw Republic (pub. 1934) received an award for its insight into American history. Other works met with mixed reception; And Still the Waters Run was launched in 1940 after it was originally rejected by her publisher due to threats of legal action made by various prominent statesman who were mentioned in it. She drew from eyewitness accounts and archival records. Debo's dedication to faithfully telling this state's story and recording the experiences of those who lived here makes this historian an important figure of Oklahoma history in her own right.

Based in Edmond, Tammi Sauer works full-time authoring books for young readers. She has written as many as 40 children's books featuring colorful characters like Fang the friendly shark (Nugget and Fang: Race Around the Reef) or a fashion-forward little girl named Mary (Mary Had a Little Glam). In 2015, her book Your Alien was named an NPR Best Book of the year. She is currently on a national tour with her most recent publication.

Sauer will join us as ODL’s special guest author for Read Across Oklahoma 2025 at the Oklahoma City Zoo later this month. The event's theme, "Reading Safari," is inspired by her book Caring For Your Lion. In this best-seller, a little boy orders a kitten but finds that he's been sent a lion instead. A series of hilarious and heartwarming events unfold. We hope you'll join us at the Oklahoma City Zoo on March 27 to hear from Sauer in person.

April 1 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Garland Smith Public Library

April 1 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Sapulpa Public Library

April 9 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Tahlequah Public Library

April 10 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Champion Public Library

April 16 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Clinton Public Library

April 16 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Hugo-Choctaw Public Library

April 22 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Jay C. Byers Memorial Library

April 23 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Altus Public Library

April 29 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Seminole Public Library

May 1 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Elk City Carnegie Public Library

RA for All: Demystifying Genre

April 18 | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This training is open to anyone and will outline the basic appeals of the major genres, providing you with talking points to help customers find new reads in their favorite genre.

Young Oklahomans benefit not only from their library's educational support but also its social events. "To see library kids and their grown ups enjoying stories, games, and crafts is something that brings me

so much joy," says Allen. "Library kids become library adults who bring THEIR kids, keeping this place open and active."

Out of dedication to the local community, Wewoka staff and volunteers have made programming available at no cost—sometimes paying out of their own pockets

to maintain these crucial services.