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The Newbery Medal is an annual award for outstanding American children’s literature, judged solely on written material. It was created in 1921 and named after John Newbery. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the best illustrated children’s book.
The Newbery Medal is an annual award that honors an outstanding contribution to American children’s literature. It is named after John Newbery, who was a bookseller in 1700s England. The medal was created somewhat later, however, by Frederic G. Melcher, in 1921. The American Library Association approved Melcher’s concept for creating the award, and the first award was presented in 1922, all ‘author Hendrik Willem Von Loon, for the book The history of mankind.
Nominated books for the Newbery Medal must be published no later than the year preceding the year of the award in question. They must also be written by a US citizen or resident. Applicant books can be fiction, non-fiction or poetry. They are judged solely on the written material and not on the presentation of illustrations.
Books are judged by the American Library Association, which currently includes school and public library librarians. The book judged to have the greatest artistic integrity receives the prize of the year. The author is awarded a medal, and the book is usually republished as a Newbery Medal winner, which often increases its sales and makes it more attractive to educators.
The American Library Association also includes lists of Newbery Medal runners-up. Since 1971, however, the runners-up have simply been called Newbery Honor Books. Even being considered for this honor is thought to be a great thing and can boost book sales.
Occasionally the Newbery Medal is confused with the Caldecott Medal, also awarded by the American Library Association. The distinction is that the Caldecott Medal is awarded to the best illustrated children’s book. So the artwork is an important part of the Caldecott Award consideration, while it is not considered a judging criterion for the Newbery.
Previous Newbery Medal winners include:
1959 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
1963 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
1969 The High King by Lloyd Alexander
1977 Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
1984 Caro signor Henshaw di Beverly Cleary
1999 Holes by Louis Sachar
2003 Crispin: Avi’s leaden cross
2004 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamilo
2006 Criss Cross di Lynne Rae Perkins
Newbery Medal Honor Books include past greats such as Old Yeller, Charlotte’s Web, My Father’s Dragon and many of the Little House books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Besides Ingalls Wilder, several other authors have written more than one honor book, including Beverly Cleary and Isaac Bashevis Singer. Knowing this list can help advise a child who scans the library for something “good” to read.
