"Harold Keith grew up in rural Oklahoma, and writes with sympathy and understanding about this part of the country. He has always been keenly interested in nature study, and spent much of his time as a youngster pursuing this hobby. Mr. Keith's first story was published when he was fourteen years old, in a magazine called Lone Scout. He was graduated from the University of Oklahoma at Norman, where he also earned a master's degree in history. For many years he was Director of Sports Information at the University of Oklahoma, but now he devotes his full time to writing. He has published a number of books, among them Rifles for Watie, winner of the 1958 Newbery Medal; Komantcia, Sports and Games; and Brief Garland."