Newbery Award Winning Books
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The Newbery Medal, and Newbery Honor Books
Winning the Newbery Medal is the greatest thrill and honor for an author of middle grade or young adult literature. It means that the chosen book has been read and enjoyed by experts in the field of children's literature, and that the book has lasting value.
The American Library Association (ALA) is the organization that chooses Newbery Medal winners. The Newbery Medal is one of many awards given by the ALA each year.
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Linda Jo Martin
Newbery Medal History
History of the Newbery Medal
Frederic G. Melcher proposed his idea for the Newbery Medal to the Children's Librarians' Section of the American Library Association on June 21, 1921. The idea was accepted with enthusiasm and approved in 1922.
The original formal agreement stated that the Newbery Medal was intended "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."
The medal is named for John Newbery, a bookseller who lived in the 1800's.
Newbery and Caldecott Awards
The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books, 2011 Edition (Newbery & Caldecott Awards)
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 02/13/2012)
Who Was John Newbery?
...the man behind the medal.
John Newbery was an English bookseller. He lived from 1713 to 1767.
At the age of 16 Newbery became a printer's apprentice. His master passed away and left half the business to him when he was 24.
About one-fifth of the books he printed were for children. His first big success was A Pretty Little Pocket Book, published in 1744.
Newbery's motto was Deluctando Monemus, meaning "instruction through delight".
How Newbery Books
Are Chosen
Newbery Medal Criteria
The Newbery Medal is given to one distinguished book annually. The book can be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, but it must be original. Reprints and compilations don't qualify.
Each year ALA member librarians review all eligible books printed the previous year, and select winners based on the following criteria:
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Interpretation of the theme or concept
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Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
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Development of a plot
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Delineation of characters
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Delineation of setting
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Appropriateness of style
Recent Newbery Medal Winners
2012 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
Three awesome books featuring stories about the USA, Viet Nam, and Russia!
Winner of the 2012 Newbery MedalAnd the 2012 Newbery Medal winner is . . . Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. I believe this is the first time I've seen a Newbery book in which the main character has the same name as the author!
This is an autobiographical but fictionalized story about young Jack Gantos, a problem child, who became an assistant obituary writer. The book has been called witty, suspenseful, and 'wildly entertaining.'
2011 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
Interesting choices, with four novels about displaced children, and one book of poetry.
Winner of the 2011 Newbery Medal!Abilene, age 12, rode the rails with her father but now he has sent her to live with a pastor in Manifest, Kansas. The year is 1936 and the country is worn down by the Great Depression.
Abilene manages well enough by making friends with a gypsy fortune teller and becoming a bit of a detective. Recommended for ages 9 to 12. I've read this, and very much enjoyed the book.
2010 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
One outstanding biography (Claudette Colvin) and some great novels.
Winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal!This novel tells the story of Miranda, a twelve year old girl living in New York City. Her best friend suddenly dumps her, but she makes a few new friends and shared her love for Madeleine L'Engle's novel, A Wrinkle in Time
.When You Reach Me is an exceptionally well-written novel about caring, loss, and redemption. Recommended for ages 10 and up. (Adults love this book too!)
2009 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
Winner of the 2001 Newbery MedalNobody Owens was a toddler when his family was murdered, an event that takes place at the beginning of the book. This novel is recommended for ages ten and up.
He escaped by toddling out the door while the murderer was busy... straight into the loving arms of ghosts and ghouls in the nearby graveyard. There he was raised with the help of a night visitor, Silas. This book is highly recommended, despite the focus on the macabre.
2008 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
Winner of the 2008 Newbery MedalCome visit a medieval village in England! The year is 1255. Through a series of narratives you will hear the words of many town citizens.
This book was written by a school librarian as a theatrical script for the children in her school. It was a huge surprise to her that it won the Newbery Medal in 2008! Entertaining!
2007 Newbery Medal Winner and Honor Books
Winner of the 2007 Newbery MedalTen-year-old Lucky lives in California's Mojave Desert with her French guardian. Her mother passed away and her father sent for his ex-girlfriend (the French woman) to look after Lucky.
Seeking comfort, Lucky eavesdrops on the local AA meetings, longing to know her own Higher Power. Recommended for ages 10-12.
Newbery Lenses, 1922 through 2008
...find out who won.
- Newbery Winners, 1922-1929
- Great childrens books of the Twenties - most of them still readily available for us to enjoy.
- Newbery Winners, 1930-1939
- Children's books of the Thirties. Worth reading.
- Newbery Winners, 1940-1949
- Newbery books of the Forties. Check them out!
- Newbery Winners, 1950-1959
- Children's novels from the Fifties... that was when this lens owner was born.
- Newbery Winners, 1960-1969
- More great Newbery winners - these are from the Sixties.
- Newbery Winners, 1970-1979
- Newbery winning books of the Seventies.
- Newbery Winners, 1980-1989
- Great treasures of children's literature from the Eighties.
- Newbery Winners, 1990-1999
- The Nineties gave birth to a number of excellent Newbery winning novels.
- Newbery Winners, 2000-2009
- The most recent Newbery winning books.
Newbery Medal Acceptance Speeches
- Madeleine L'Engle: Newbery Award Acceptance Speech
- Madeline L'Engle won the Newbery Medal in 1963 for A Wrinkle in Time.
- Avi: Newbery Award Acceptance Speech
- Avi won the Newbery Medal in 2003 for Crispin: The Cross of Lead.
- Karen Hesse: Newbery Award Acceptance Speech
- Karen Hesse won the Newbery Medal in 1998 for Out Of The Dust.
- Lois Lowry: Newbery Medal Accptance Speech
- Lois Lowry won the Newbery Medal in 1994 for The Giver.
- Katherine Paterson: Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech
- Katherine Paterson won the Newbery Medal in 1978 for Bridge to Terabithia.
- Robin McKinley: Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech
- Robin McKinley won the Newbery Medal in 1985 for The Hero and the Crown.
Vote For Your Favorite
Newbery Medal Winners
Vote for Newbery Medal Winners You've Read
... you can vote them up or down.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
A woman is left behind on an island when her tribe migrates to mainland California.10 points
The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle
An animal loving doctor takes a boy and some animals on a wild journey.9 points
Julie of the Wolves
An Eskimo girl relies on wolves to survive in the wilderness.8 points
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
A girl moves in with relatives but has trouble adjusting to their puritanical ways.7 points
Caddie Woodlawn
The story of an 11-year-old girl growing up in Wisconsin as a rural pioneer.6 points
Johnny Tremain
Johnny is injured while working as a silversmith, but helps during the US Revolutionary War.5 points
Strawberry Girl
The life of a girl living in strawberry country, Central Florida.4 points
The Cat Who Went To Heaven
A cat residing with an artist wants recognition.3 points
Secret of the Andes
A young boy who cares for llamas learns his destiny.2 points
The Twenty-One Balloons
A man flies a balloon to Krakatoa from turn-of-the-century San Francisco.1 point
The Story of Mankind
The first Newbery Medal winner; a thick history book.0 points
The Trumpeter of Krakow
A Polish family guards a treasure and plans to give it to the King.0 points
Waterless Mountain
A young Navajo boy chooses to become a medicine man.0 points
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze
A Chinese boy works to become a coppersmith.0 points
Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women
Biography of Louisa May Alcott.0 points
Dobry
A Bulgarian boy's choice to become an artist doesn't please his mother.0 points
Roller Skates
A 10-year-old girl visits neighbors on her roller skates in New York City.0 points
The White Stag
The legend of the founding of Hungary, starring Attila the Hun.0 points
Thimble Summer
A young girl believes all the luck coming to her family is the result of finding a thimble.0 points
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
True story of a maritime warehouse apprentice who succeeds.0 points
Newbery Award Winning Books on eBay
...for your reading pleasure
Newbery Medal Links
...find out more.
- American Library Association
- The ALA sponsors the Newbery Medal awards.
- PDF List of Newbery Medal Winners and Honor Books
- A PDF e-book version of the Newbery winning book list.
- The Newbery Project
- A blog with reviews of Newbery Medal books.
- Newbery Ranking
- How one group of readers ranked the Newbery books.
A few featured Newbery Medal Winning Books
...some of the greats...
More on Newbery winners...
...including the honor books!
Thanks for visiting my Newbery Medal Lens
...I'm a huge fan of the Newbery books!
I'm very grateful for everyone who visits this lens. That means YOU! I love children's literature and love to share my joy with others who enjoy reading great books written for children and teens.
I'm Linda Jo Martin, author of novels for children and teens. You're welcome to join my Facebook fan page or to visit my blog - Linda Jo Martin.
Do you Twitter? Follow me: Linda at Twitter - I follow back.
I also run an online magazine for children: Literature For Kids.
Your comments are WELCOME
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GrammaLinda
Jan 30, 2012 @ 8:23 pm | delete
- I see I have some reading to do! I loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Blessings!
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Jan 4, 2012 @ 3:37 pm | delete
- Looks like some great books there - nice lens. Well done.
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CornellRedhead
Dec 22, 2011 @ 10:32 pm | delete
- Thanks for the lens, I was addicted to these books as a kid!
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baby-strollers
Dec 18, 2011 @ 6:43 pm | delete
- Onion John!
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seosmm
Nov 25, 2011 @ 4:26 pm | delete
- Good info. Very nice lens!
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by LindaJM
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss
My blog: Linda Jo Martin
Perspectives on Writing
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