Sara L. Schwebel

Sara L. Schwebel is a Professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Center for Children's Books. Her academic career bridges historical scholarship, children's literature studies, and digital humanities, with a focus on how books and school instruction shape young people's understanding of history.

Her research interests include children's and young adult literature, history of education and literacy, history of childhood, history pedagogy, public history, digital humanities, and historical fiction. She approaches these topics through both scholarly research and public-facing projects that connect academic work with K-12 education and national parks.

Schwebel's publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of children's literature and historical understanding, with particular attention to how historical fiction shapes young readers' perceptions of the past. Her work spans scholarly monographs like Child-Sized History: Fictions of the Past in U.S. Classrooms (2011), critical editions such as Island of the Blue Dolphins: The Complete Reader's Edition (2016), and collaborative digital projects including the Lone Woman and Last Indians Digital Archive. Her most recent work, Dust off the Gold Medal: Rediscovering Children's Literature at the Newbery Centennial (2022), examines the history and impact of the prestigious children's literature award.

• Organization of American Historians, Stanton-Horton Award (2019, 2024)
• American Studies Association, Garfinkel Prize in Digital Humanities, Honorable Mention (2017)
• University of South Carolina Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award (2017)
• University of South Carolina Breakthrough Star (2015)
• Children's Literature Association Article Award, Honorable Mention (2015)

Schwebel has developed significant partnerships with the National Park Service through the Books to Parks initiative, creating educational websites that connect children's literature to historical sites. Her work with graduate students on projects related to Lyddie, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 demonstrates her commitment to translating academic research into practical educational resources. These projects incorporate primary sources, fact-checking sections, and age-appropriate scholarly essays to help students critically engage with historical narratives presented in children's books.

As Director of the Center for Children's Books, Schwebel oversees a hub for research and collaboration focused on youth literature and its educational applications. Her background includes teaching middle school history before pursuing academia, which informs her practical approach to connecting scholarly research with classroom practice.