A Celebration of the Newbery Medal

Stories honor 100 years of the children’s book award

June 1, 2022

Image features the many books that have won the Newbery Medal over the last 100 years in a colorful, grid-like pattern.

This year marks 100 years since the Newbery Medal—the world’s first children’s book award—was instituted. To celebrate this centennial, American Libraries covers the history of the award, offers a timeline of events, and talks with previous Newbery winners.

  • In “100 Years of the Newbery Medal,” we look at the legacy, challenges, and future of this distinguished award for children’s books. Taylor Hartz talks with former and current Newbery Award Selection Committee members about the honor and responsibility of picking a winner.
  • In “Newbery Firsts,” we explore important milestones—and archival photographs—from the award’s first century. Hartz presents a timeline that spans from 1922 to present day.
  • In “Winner’s Circle,” American Libraries Associate Editor Diana Panuncial interviews four authors about their momentous Newbery Medal wins. She speaks with Jerry Craft (2020 recipient for New Kid), Cynthia Kadohata (2005 recipient for Kira-Kira), Tae Keller (2021 recipient for When You Trap a Tiger), and Lois Lowry (1990 recipient for Number the Stars and 1994 recipient for The Giver).

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Fenton T. Newbery (located at left), a direct descendent of John Newbery, watches author Arthur Bowie Chrisman receive the 1926 Newbery Medal for Shen of the Sea from Nina C. Brotherton, chair of ALA’s Children’s Librarians Section. Frederic G. Melcher (located at right), who instituted the Newbery Medal, looks on. Photo from the ALA Archives.

100 Years of the Newbery Medal

A look at the legacy—and future—of this distinguished award for children's books

From left, Lois Lowry, Cynthia Kadohata, Tae Keller, and Jerry Craft.

Winner’s Circle

Conversations with past winners of the Newbery Medal