The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." The Newbery and the Caldecott Medal are considered the two most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States. Books selected are widely carried by bookstores and libraries, the authors are interviewed on television, and masters and doctoral theses are written on them. Named for John Newbery, an 18th-century English publisher of juvenile books, the Newbery is selected at ALA's Midwinter Conference by a fifteen-person committee. The Newbery was proposed by Frederic G. Melcher in 1921, making it the first children's book award in the world. The physical bronze medal was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan and is given to the winning author at the next ALA annual conference. Since its founding there have been several changes to the make-up of the selection committee, while the physical medal remains the same.
Cynthia Rylant is an American author and librarian. She has written more than 100 children's books, including works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Several of her books have won awards, including her novel Missing May, which won the 1993 Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust which was a 1987 Newbery Honor book. Two of her books are Caldecott Honor Books.
Jennifer L. Holm is an American children's writer, and recipient of three Newbery Honors and the Eisner Award.
Virginia Esther Hamilton was an African-American children's books author. She wrote 41 books, including M. C. Higgins, the Great (1974), for which she won the U.S. National Book Award in category Children's Books and the Newbery Medal in 1975.
The Old Tobacco Shop: A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of Adventure is a children's fantasy novel by William Bowen that was named a Newbery Honor book. The novel, published by MacMillan in 1921, is illustrated by Reginald Birch.
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles is a children's book by Padraic Colum, a retelling of Greek myths. The book, illustrated by Willy Pogany, was first published in 1921 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1922. The central myth retold is that of Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece and the aftermath. Woven into it are other myths, including the myths of Persephone and Prometheus, told by the poet Orpheus during the voyage.
The Wonder-Smith and His Son: A Tale from the Golden Childhood of the World is a children's book by Ella Young. It is a collection of fourteen stories about Gubbaun Saor, the legendary Irish smith and architect. The book, illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff, was first published in 1927 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1928.
Mountains are Free is a children's historical novel by Julia Davis Adams set in Switzerland in the 14th century. It retells the legend of William Tell and the Swiss struggle against the Habsburgs from the viewpoint of an orphan boy. The novel, illustrated by Theodore Nadajen, was first published in 1930 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1931.
The Railroad to Freedom: A Story of the Civil War is a children's book by Hildegarde Hoyt Swift. It is a fictionalized biography of Araminta Ross telling of her life in slavery and her work on the Underground Railroad. The book, illustrated by James Daugherty, was first published in 1932 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1933.
Pecos Bill: The Greatest Cowboy of All Time is a children's novel by James Cloyd Bowman about the American folk hero Pecos Bill. Raised by coyotes, the hero has various supernatural powers, including the ability to talk to animals, and becomes a spectacularly successful cowboy. The novel, illustrated by Laura Bannon, was first published in 1937 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1938.
Hello the Boat! is a children's historical novel by Phyllis Crawford. Set in 1817, it follows the journey of a store-boat down the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. The novel, illustrated by Edward Laning, was first published in 1938 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1939.
Young Mac of Fort Vancouver is a children's historical novel by Mary Jane Carr. Set in 1832, it recounts the adventures of Donald McDermott, a young mixed-blood fur trader. The novel, illustrated by Richard Holberg, was first published in 1940 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1941.
Lone Journey: The Life of Roger Williams is a biography of Roger Williams, champion of religious freedom and founder of Providence Plantation, written for children by Jeanette Eaton. First published in 1944, it was illustrated with full-page woodcuts by Woodi Ishmael. The book was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1945.
The Moved-Outers is a children's novel by Florence Crannell Means. Illustrated by Helen Blair, it was first published in 1945 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1946.
Li Lun, Lad of Courage is a children's novel by Carolyn Treffinger. Set in China, it tells the story of a boy who tries to survive and grow rice on a barren mountain after being banished from his village. The novel, illustrated by Kurt Wiese, was first published in 1947 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1948.
Daughter of the Mountains is a children's novel by Louise Rankin. It tells the story of Momo, a Tibetan girl, who undertakes a long and difficult journey to save her little dog, a Lhasa Terrier, from the wool trader who stole him. The novel, illustrated by Kurt Wiese, was first published in 1948 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1949.
Story of the Negro by Arna Bontemps is a children's history book published by Knopf in 1948. It was the first African-American authored book to receive a Newbery Honor.
Kildee House is a children's novel by Rutherford George Montgomery. It tells the story of a house in a redwood forest which becomes a refuge for wildlife. The novel was first published in 1949 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1950. It is illustrated by Barbara Cooney.
The Apple and the Arrow is a short children's novel written and illustrated by Mary and Conrad Buff, published by Houghton Mifflin in 1951. It retells the legend of William Tell from the viewpoint of his 12-year-old son Walter. It is set in 1291, during the political upheaval that led to the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy.
Red Sails to Capri is a children's historical novel by Ann Weil. It tells the story of the rediscovery of Capri's Blue Grotto in 1826. The novel, illustrated by C. B. Falls, was first published in 1952 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1953.
