British bookseller, John Newbery’s publishing company was the first to publish books solely for children. The first title he released for children, A Pretty Pocket-Book, was published in 1744. Due to his strong influence in the realm of children’s literature, an award was created in his name–John Newbery Medal. The Newbery Medal has been awarded annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished children’s book published during the previous year since 1922. Below I will share with you five Newbery Medal award-winning young adult books that I had the privilege of reading.
Flora & Ulysses
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: K. G. Campbell
2014 Newbery Award Winner
In this quirky tale, a young girl named Flora Buckman sees her neighbor vacuum up a squirrel and she goes to help it. After giving it CPR, they realize that the squirrel’s experience has given him special powers, such as strength, flying, and typing poetry. The book is about her experiences with the squirrel and interactions with her parents and neighbors who know about the squirrel’s powers. Her mom wants her dad to kill the squirrel, so she spends much of her time helping him evade death. At the beginning of the book, Flora does not believe anyone cares about her. But through all the crazy and unexpected events with the squirrel, she realizes both of her parents, who are recently divorced, love her deeply.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author & Illustrator: E.L. Konigsburg
1968 Newbery Medal Winner
Set in New York, Claudia Kincaid runs away from home, taking her younger brother, Jamie with her. They live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a week, hiding their belongings in various places around the museum and avoiding the museum staff. Claudia sees an angel statue of unknown origin, possibly created by Michelangelo, in the Renaissance exhibit and the mystery intrigues her. The statue was supposedly purchased by Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in Bologna, Italy before World War II. Claudia wants to know the truth, so she and Jamie spend all the rest of their money for train and cab fare to Mrs. Frankweiler’s home in Connecticut. Mrs. Frankweiler is amused by the children’s interest in the statue and recognizes them as runaways from a newspaper article. Claudia and Jamie find a drawing of the angel in Mrs. Frankweiler’s files and she tells them the truth about its origin. Mrs. Frankweiler promises to leave them the drawing in her will if they will keep her secret. Claudia feels satisfaction in knowing a secret and being different compared to the rest of her friends and family.
Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt de la Pena
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
2016 Newbery Medal Winner
C.J. and his Nana ride across town on a city bus every Sunday to serve food at a soup kitchen. One rainy Sunday he is full of questions for Nana, wondering why they must ride the bus instead of their own car and live in an area that is always dirty. She helps him see the beauty in every setting, especially in the people they spend time with from their community. He stops feeling sorry for himself and feels grateful for the people in his life.
The View from Saturday
Author & Illustrator: E. L. Konigsburg
1997 Newbery Medal Winner
Mrs. Olinski is a paraplegic sixth-grade teacher, new to Epiphany Middle School in New York, who is returning to teaching after a 10-year absence due to an accident. She is charged with selecting a team of students to compete in the annual Academic Bowl. A group of students who call themselves The Souls end up being on the team together. The author shares their stories from the first-person point of view and demonstrates their connections to each other and to Mrs. Olinski through their extended family relationships which are intertwined and their mutual search for kindness in others. The Souls succeed in the Academic Bowl, making it all the way to the state finals and winning.
Bridge to Terabithia
Author & Illustrator: Katherine Paterson
1978 Newbery Medal Winner
This book about friendship is set in rural Virginia. Jesse Aarons strikes up a companionship with a female neighbor named Leslie. They create a special place in the woods, across a creek, to spend time together called Terabithia. Jesse is unsure of himself in many ways, nervous to try new things, and fearful of what others think. Leslie helps him gain confidence. One day while he is in Washington with their music teacher, Leslie drowns in the creek trying to get across to Terabithia. Jesse keeps her memory alive by sharing Terabithia with his younger sister.
Bridge of Terabithia Story Pyramid
Jesse
Fifth grade
In the woods
Jesse has many fears
Leslie runs faster than everyone
Terabithia is their secret magical place
Tragedy strikes while Jesse is in Washington
Jesse draws strength and courage from Leslie’s memory
References
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). (n.d.). Association for Library Service to
Children (ALSC). http://www.ala.org/alsc/
Young, T., Bryan, G., Jacobs, J., & Tunnell, M. (2020). Children’s Literature, Briefly (7th ed.).
Pearson.