What Is the Newbery Medal?

What is the Newbery Medal? The medal is an annual award given by the American Library Association for the best children's literary book published in the previous year. This means picture books do not qualify for the award. The book must have words or literary merit, to be considered.

Newbery Medal
The Newbery Medal was named after John Newbery, a British bookseller in the 18th century. The idea of the award was proposed in 1922 Frederic G. Melcher, who believed it to be a good way to emphasize the importance of quality literary books for children. The idea was enthusiastically accepted by the American Library Association, and the Newbery became the world's first children's book award.

Technically, the Newbery Medal is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, a branch of the American Library Association. In addition to the bronze, Newbery Medal given out each year, there are several silver Newbery Honor Book awards handed out to recognize the runner-ups. There is no set number of runner-ups and the association is free to award as many honor books as they deem appropriate.

Newbery Medal Rules
There is a very strict set of rules that help determine the eligibility of a children's book for the Newbery Medal. The book must

• be written by a citizen or resident of the US
• be published in the US
• be written in English, though additional languages are acceptable once the English requirement is met
• be specifically written for children, not a cross-over hit from an adult category

Newbery Medal Winners
The first book to win a Newbery was "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem van Loon in 1922. The book was very progressive for the time it was published, telling a very brief history of Western civilization from the beginning of humanity to the outbreak of World War I.

Some of the best known Newbery medal books include "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting, "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson.

• "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle," by Hugh Lofting, was the second book in his "Doctor Dolittle" series. The long story tells the tale of Doctor Dolittle, a man who can talk to animals, and his global search for the world's greatest naturalist.

• "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle, is a tale about big sister Meg, little brother Charles and their friend Calvin. Disguised angels come to Meg and her family to reveal that there is a wrinkle in the fabric of time and space. The three children go on a mission to other planets to help stop a dark force and free Meg's trapped father.

• "Bridge to Terabithia," by Katherine Paterson, is an inspiring tale of two young friends. Combining their talents, Jesse and Leslie create an imaginary world called Terabithia. They spend everyday there until one tragic day when Jesse leaves and Leslie goes alone. Leslie is killed in an accident crossing over the canal into Terabithia. Though Jesse is at first overwhelmed, he learns to cherish Leslie's memory and use the strength her friendship gave him to keep on living.