Francis Lynde Kroll

Born in Fairbury, Nebraska, on November 9, 1904, he studied at the University of Nebraska before beginning a long career in education. He married Viola Hathaway in 1926, and the couple had three sons. Over the years he taught in Nebraska and South Dakota, later earned A.B. and M.A. degrees from Chadron State College, and eventually served as superintendent of schools in several Nebraska towns.

His writing career began in 1936 when he created a play for his students, and he kept writing until his death on November 12, 1973. He worked mainly for readers around ages 9 to 13, publishing western and frontier stories as well as plays, short fiction, and articles.

His best-known books include Young Sioux Warrior, which won the Junior Literary Guild Award, Young Sand Hills Cowboy, Young Crow Raider, Young Medicine Man, and Top Hand. He also contributed to Encyclopedia Britannica and wrote many one-act plays for children, along with stories and articles for magazines and newspapers.