Newbery Medal Award Books

  One of my fondest childhood literacy memories is visiting my elementary school library and discovering the newly awarded books our librarian would highlight. She would place those texts on a book stand on a special shelf of honor. I eagerly anticipated that year’s Texas Bluebonnet Award books or Caldecott Medal books with the most captivating illustrations. However, I kept my eyes peeled for the beautiful gold emblem on the covers of Newbery Medal books, hoping it was a story I would not be able to resist.

        In honor of 100 years of John Newbery Medal recipients, I have highlighted five of my favorites and some of the best known Newbery award winning titles below.

Dear Mr. Henshaw
Winner of the 1984 Newbery Medal, Dear Mr. Henshaw by beloved author, Beverly Cleary, is a story students of all ages can still connect with today. The story’s protagonist, Leigh Botts writes every year to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. It is not until Leigh’s parents divorce, and he and his mother move to a new town and school in his 6th grade year that Mr. Henshaw becomes a source of therapy for Leigh. Mr. Henshaw writes Leigh a response letter with questions that make Leigh reflect on his life and family. He suggests that Leigh start writing in a diary to help him become a better writer and to help with his emotions. Leigh’s dream is to become an author, so he frequently writes in his diary, and even writes a story for a young writers yearbook. Leigh spends the book writing between his diary and Mr. Henshaw, working through his frustrations of lunchbox thieves and an absent father. When Leigh wins honorable mention for his young writers piece, he learns that true authors can write imaginary stories or about their real life. He realizes that he just may be okay after all and that loving his family, even during the difficult times, is of utmost importance.
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Patricia MacLachlan’s novel about a “mail order bride,” Sarah, Plain and Tall, received the Newbery Medal in 1986. Widower, Jacob Witting, is raising two young children, Anna and Caleb. Their mother died during childbirth. Jacob decides it is time for a new wife and mother, so he puts an advertisement in the paper for a bride. Sarah Wheaton answers his request, and begins writing letters to the Witting family. Sarah agrees to travel from her home in Maine to live with the Wittings. She learns the lifestyle of midwest farmers, grows attached to the family, and she puts the children’s worries to rest when she decides to stay and marry Jacob. This classic novel is still read in elementary schools today. While the plot’s circumstances may not be relevant in today’s society, Sarah still teaches readers the importance of family and to embrace change and adventure.
Number the Stars
Set in Copenhagen during World War II, Lois Lowry introduces readers to two young friends facing very different experiences with the Nazi soldiers taking over the city. Number the Stars tells of Annemarie and the Johansen family who are the best of friends with Ellen and the Rosen family. The families are learning to adjust to life in the midst of World War II with German soldiers on every street corner. The two families are alike in many ways, except that the Rosen family is of the Jewish faith. They have kept out of trouble until the Rosens learn that Jewish families are being sought out and “relocated” by the Nazis. Annemarie and her family take Ellen in, and she pretends to be part of the family. When circumstances become even more dangerous, Annemarie’s mother takes Annemarie, her younger sister, and Ellen and travels to her brother’s house. Annemarie soon senses things are not as they seem and realizes that her family is helping Jewish families escape to safety. Ellen is reunited with her parents just in time for a secret escape to Sweden. Annemarie has never thought of herself as brave until the Rosen family’s safety is in her young hands. Annemarie finds inner courage to save her best friend’s life in hopes to be reunited with her dear friend when the war is over. The 1990 Newbery Medal novel teaches readers that there is no greater love than being willing to sacrifice oneself for friends.
Shiloh
Two years later, the Newbery Medal was awarded to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh in 1992. Animal lovers feel the highest and lowest of emotions as they read about Marty Preston finding a lost beagle pup, whom he names Shiloh. Shiloh actually belongs to a local hunter, Judd Travers. Marty suspects that Judd has abused Shiloh, based on him witnessing how Judd treats his other hunting dogs. Marty’s dad encourages Marty to return Shiloh to his rightful owner, but Shiloh escapes and returns to Marty’s home. Upon this, Marty decides to hide Shiloh to keep and protect him. The secrecy becomes too much for Marty to handle on his own, and his family and Judd become aware of what Marty has been doing. Luckily, Marty comes up with a plan to keep Shiloh as his pet, permanently. This popular story reminds readers to do the right thing even when it is not easy and to treat all living creatures with respect.
The Last Stop on Market Street
A more recent Newbery Medal book is Matt de la Pena’s The Last Stop on Market Street. This award winner from 2016 is also a picture book, unlike the novel winners previously listed. This culturally and socially diverse text tells the story of young CJ and his Nana, as they leave church and take the city bus to Market Street. This is a regular occurance, but today, CJ is questioning why they have to go and is unhappy about the circumstances. Nana shows CJ there is beauty all around him through the different people they meet on the bus. They arrive at their destination - the soup kitchen on Market Street. CJ realizes the beauty in serving the familiar faces at the soup kitchen and is pleased with his and Nana’s Sunday afternoon routine after all. By the end of the story, Nana has reminded readers that there is beauty in undesirable circumstances, while CJ teaches the blessing it is to serve others.
        These fondly remembered and richly written texts are a small sampling of the engaging plot lines awarded the distinguished honor of a Newbery Medal by the Association for Library Service to Children. Visit the association’s website to view all Newbery Medal winners and honored titles. You may be surprised at what childhood favorites of yours are on this list of timeless tales.

References

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear mr. Henshaw. Morrow.

de la Pena, M. (2015). Last stop on market street. Penguin Young Readers Group (USA).

Jdubin. (2022, January 10). John Newbery medal. Association for Library Service to Children
(ALSC). Retrieved February 23, 2022 from https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/
bookmedia/newbery

Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Houghton Mifflin Co.

MacLachlan, P. (1985). Sarah, plain and tall. HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Naylor, P. R. (1991). Shiloh. Atheneum.