Each year the Association for Library Service to Children awards the Newbery Medal to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This award is named for John Newbery who was an 18th century British bookseller. In honor of John Newbery’s birthday on July 19th, Red Apple Reading has compiled a list of 10 Newbery Medal Winning books that your family needs to read!
Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes – Meet the Pyes, a unique family that is sure to steal your heart. Their family dog, Ginger Pye, is smart and loved by all who meet her. What happens when someone steals Ginger from her beloved family? (7-10 years) 1952 Newbery winner
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – Meg’s father is a scientist who has gone missing while working on the tesseract (a wrinkle in time) problem for the government. Now Meg and her little brother Charles, along with their friend Calvin, must travel through time and space to find him. 1963 Newbery winner
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien – A widowed mouse, Mrs. Frisby, must move her four small children quickly to their summer quarters or face death. However, her son Timothy has pneumonia and cannot be moved. She turns to the mysterious rats of NIMH for help. (8-12 years) 1972 Newbery winner
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor – Cassie Logan is a nine year old African-American girl who has grown up in a strong and loving family. A damaging year in depression era Mississippi threatens to undo everything the Logan family has worked so hard to maintain. (10 -14 years) 1977 Newbery winner
A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard – A collection of poetry about William Blake’s imaginary inn, this winner is sure to capture children’s imaginations. Find out what unusual guests and staff await the reader in this remarkable inn! (4-8 years) 1982 Newbery winner
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan – In this heartwarming tale set in the 19th century, Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton travels from Maine to the prairie in answer to an ad for a wife and mother. Anna and her little brother Caleb wonder just what kind of mom Sarah will be. (7-10 years) Newbery winner 1986
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis – Set during the depression in Michigan, this story is about a ten-year-old boy named Bud. After his mom’s death he is determined to find the man he believes to be his father – Herman E. Calloway of the Dusky Devastators. Bud’s on the run and determined that nothing will stop him from accomplishing his goal. (8-12 years) Newbery winner 2000
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck – When 15-year-old Mary Alice has to spend the year with her eccentric grandmother in small town Illinois, it’s bound to be eventful! Kids and adults will fall in love with Grandma Dowdel and laugh out loud at the shenanigans that ensue when she is around. (8-12 years) Newbery winner 2001
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo – Readers will meet a cast of misfit characters who have big dreams in this delightful story by Kate DiCamillo. One of these oddballs is a little mouse named Despereaux who happens to be in love with a princess named Pea. (7-10 years) Newbery winner 2004
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena – CJ and Nana take the bus through the city every Sunday after church. Along the way CJ asks his grandmother why they don’t have a car, why they have to get off in the dirty part of town, and why doesn’t he have an iPod like other kids? Nana patiently answers each question and gently points her grandson toward seeing the beauty in the simple things around them. (5-8 years) Newbery winner 2016
Interested in other Newbery winning titles? Check out this list of all the Newbery winners from 1922 to present. Happy reading!
