John Newbery and the Story of the Newbery Medal dub.jpg

What is the Newbery Medal? Named after John Newbery the Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

History of Newbery Medal On June 22, 1921, Frederic G. Melcher proposed the award with the purpose stated as follows: "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."

How Can Books Receive the Medal? Authors must be American citizens or live in the U.S. Book must be published the previous year All writing forms eligible (non-fiction, fiction, biography) Committee considers plot, theme, setting, style, characters, and presentation when deciding winner Must be written for children 1978

The Medal The Newbery Medal was designed by René Paul Chambellan. It is made of bronze and has the winner's name and the date engraved on the back.

1922 Newbery Medal Winner

From the beginning of awarding the Newbery Medal, the committee would cite other books as worthy of attention. Such books were referred to as Newbery "runners-up." In 1971 the term "runners-up" was changed to "honor books." Newbery Honor Books 1922

Newbery Honor Books

Who is John Newbery? Considered to be the creator of children's literature, Englishman John Newbery ( )published the first children's book in 1744 entitled A Little Pretty Pocket-Book.

Newbery Medal Winner Twelve-year-old Miranda has enough to worry about: her best friend, who suddenly refuses to hang out together; a boy she might kind of like; the homeless guy on the corner near her New York City apartment; and her single mom, an aspiring game show contestant. But now Miranda is getting creepy hidden notes that tell her to write down the story of what happens to her -- but not inform anyone. It will take a tragedy to show Miranda that neither the notes nor her friendships are quite what she imagined. Book Trailer

2009 Newbery Medal Winner On the night Jack murders a family in their beds, their toddler runs out into the night, pursued by the murderer, and finds his way into a cemetery. The ghosts there chase away the murderer and, after much argument, decide to raise the boy. They name him Nobody, Bod for short. As long as Bod stays in the cemetery they can protect him from Jack, who is still searching for him. But a growing boy, even one who is granted the Freedom of the Graveyard, eventually needs contact with the living world -- and it is the world of the living that holds the most danger for Bod. Book Trailer

Contest Only five authors have won the Newbery Medal more than once. Who are they? Stop by the media center and give me the correct answer to win a prize.