January is Time to Celebrate Children’s Literature
The American Library Association (ALA) awards outstanding and exceptional books, videos, and other material for children and teens every year. This year, the ALA Youth Media Awards were announced from Chicago on Monday, January 26. Although there are numerous awards given, arguably the most notable is the Newbery.
The John Newbery Medal is given “to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” (this is a bit ironic since the medal is named after an 18th century British bookseller). The winning book has to be published by an American publisher in the preceding year. The first Newbery Award was given in 1922 to “The Story of Mankind” by Hendrik Willem van Loon.
The John Newbery Medal winner for this year is “All the Blues in the Sky” by Renée Watson. The Honor Books include: “The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli” by Karina Yan Glaser, “A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez” by María Dolores Águila, “The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story” by Daniel Nayeri, and “The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest” by Aubrey Hartman.
Listed below are some of my favorite Newbery Medal books that I have read throughout the years. I’m not much of a re-reader, but revisiting the list of winners and reflecting on the titles that have stayed with me makes me want to read these all over again. I have included the year each book won the Newbery Medal or Newbery Honor after the author’s name.
“A Corner of The Universe” by Ann M. Martin (2003)
A poignant story that takes place in a small Pennsylvania town in the year 1960. Three events happen to Hattie that make her summer different than any she has experienced so far: she finally turns twelve years old, an uncle she never knew about arrives in town, and she becomes friends with a girl whose parents work for a traveling carnival. Martin, the author of the popular Baby-Sitters Club series, explores heavy topics such as mental illness, suicide, and tense family dynamics in a way that is thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting.
“Echo” by Pam Muñoz Ryan (2016)
How can one tiny harmonica connect strangers across the globe and through time? In the beginning of this tale, young Otto gets lost in Germany’s Black Forest. He encounters three strange sisters and ends up with an enchanted harmonica that will one day save someone’s life. The rest of the story is told in three parts, following Friedrich in 1933 Germany; Mike in 1935 Pennsylvania; and Ivy in 1942 California–all connected by the same musical instrument. Part historical fiction, part fantasy, this story is full of magic, adventure, humor, and heart.
“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor (1977)
I don’t remember the name of my elementary school librarian. I do remember that she wore tweed skirt suits, sensible shoes, thick stockings, and her graying hair was always in a short beehive. There was a poster on the library’s wall of all the Newbery Medal winners up to that point (this was in the mid to late 1980s). I remember thinking it would be cool to read the winner from the year I was born. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” is the second book of the Logan Family Saga. This historical fiction novel is set in Mississippi during the Depression. Though they own their own land, the Logans, an African-American family, face prejudice and social intolerance. I think this novel has stuck with me because it was probably one of the first books I read that dealt with the topic of racism. I grew up in Southern California and my classrooms were always a diverse mix of backgrounds and skin color. It was confusing to me, just as it was to nine-year-old Cassie Logan in the story, why this kind of injustice would occur. There are ten books in the series, written between 1975 and 2020.
“The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis (1996)
This story takes you on a journey, both literally and figuratively. The Watsons are an African-American family living in Flint, Michigan. Kenny, the story’s narrator, is the ten-year-old middle child. He gets along well enough with his younger sister but thinks his teenaged older brother, Byron, might be a juvenile delinquent. When Byron hangs around his best friend, Buphead, trouble usually ensues. Kenny’s parents decide that Byron needs to get his act together and load the family in the Brown Bomber (the family car). They make the trek from Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama, so Byron can spend the summer with his Grandma Sands, a fierce and independent woman who will help to “straighten him out.” Towards the end of the story, Kenny’s family and the community grapple with the aftermath of the 1963 Baptist Church Bombing, which killed four young African-American girls. Curtis is able to seamlessly blend humor and antics with tough topics and a tragic historical event. You can’t help but fall in love with the entire Watson family.
“When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead (2010)
This is such a cool, clever, and unusual book. It’s a tale of friendship, family, and time travel. It’s rather hard to explain because, as the reader, you spend a lot of time trying to figure out what’s going on. The payoff at the end is worth it. It’s the late 1970s and Miranda, twelve years old, is living in New York City with her mother. Her best friend, Sal, stops speaking to her after Sal is a victim of a violent act. Miranda starts to receive mysterious notes, one of which states that the note’s anonymous author is trying to save the life of her friend. The notes further tell Miranda how she is able to help, but will it be in time? The reveal at the end is incredible.
Arielle McCune is the Youth Services Librarian at the Fergus Falls Public Library.