< Newbery Medal and Honor Books
Given the Newbery Award's prestige it would be easy to assume that the award winners are all excellent books for children. The Biblioguides Team has not found this to be the case. We always want to provide parents with the information they need to make the best book decisions for their families. With that goal in mind, we've put together a complete list of all medal winners and honor books since inception, and the Biblioguides Review Team is working together to read our way through the winners and to provide a review. Where we have not yet reviewed a book, a description directly from the dust jacket or from the publisher has been provided. In some cases, we have shared a brief synopsis from The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (1999).
Reviews are the thoughts and opinions of the particular reviewer and do not necessarily represent all members of the team. Reviews will continue to be added as the team reads more of the Newbery books. We hope this list will help you familiarize yourself with the various winners and provide the necessary information to determine which books would be a good fit for your family!
The Story of Mankind
By: Hendrik Willem van Loon
Illustrated by: Hendrik Willem van Loon
Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED
Hendrik Willem van Loon's renowned classic charms us once again with its warmth, simplicity, and wisdom as it unfolds its tale of the history of man for both adults and children. Reaching back into the beginnings of man and sweeping forward to illuminate all of history, van Loon's enthusiasm breathes life into the characters and events of other ages.
It is because of this ability to turn history into fascinating tales of adventure that The Story of Mankind remains the most fondly remembered chronicle of man. Since first published in 1921, well over two million copies of the English language edition have been printed and there are translations in at least eighteen different languages.
In this new, updated version all the important recent developments—the emergence of the developing nations and their effect on the political arena of the world, major ecological and economic problems, and the role of the United Nations—are incorporated into The Story of Mankind.
Van Loon's original pen-and-ink illustrations, together with his maps, charts, and animated chronology, enhance and enrich this record of man.
From the dust jacket of the 1972 Liveright edition
Cedric the Forester
By: Bernard Marshall
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Cedric, son of a thirteenth-century forester, saves Sir Richard's son and is made his squire. Taught to read and fight, Cedric becomes the best crossbowman in England, and, at the Battle of the Eagles, he is knighted.
From The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (1999)
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
By: Padraic Colum
Illustrated by: Willy Pogany
Honor
Reviewed by: Sherry Early
Recommended age: 12+, younger for read aloud
Also read and recommended by: Lara Lleverino, Sandy Hall
Padraic Colum grew up listening to stories told by the fire or in the meadow, and The Golden Fleece is written in the voice of a storyteller; it’s meant to be read aloud and to evoke wonder. The syntax and writing style are poetic and begging to be read to listening ears. In addition to the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Colum blended into his narrative many of the older Greek myths: Persephone, Pandora’s Box, Theseus and the Minotaur, and the Labors of Hercules, just to name a few. I’m planning a year of ancient history and literature next school year, and I think The Golden Fleece will be our first read aloud as we study Greek history and literature.
Padraic Colum’s Newbery Honor Book is recommended for its beautiful use of language and powerful storytelling voice. This one stands the test of time, maybe because the stories themselves are timeless, but also because the storyteller, like Orpheus the Singer, knew how to tell a tale.
Read full review
The Great Quest
By: Charles Hawes
Illustrated by: George Varian
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Twelve-year-old Josiah tells of how his Uncle Seth is tricked by an old friend into selling his shop and buying a ship. Thinking they are going in search of gold, Josiah and his uncle find themselves unwillingly involved in the slave trade and at odds with the crew.
From The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (1999)
The Old Tobacco Shop: A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of an Adventure
By: William Bowen
Illustrated by: Reginald Birch
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Fred is befriended by the hunchback who runs the tobacco shop. Warned never to smoke the magic tobacco in the porcelain jar shaped like a "Chinaman's head," Fred stays away from it for a long time. One day he falters and suddenly finds himself involved in high adventure on the Spanish Main.
From The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (1999)
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
The Windy Hill
By: Cornelia Meigs
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Recommended age: 12+
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
As is the case with other books by Cornelia Meigs, she delves deep into the fabric of a community—it’s people and their personalities, the geography, the culture, and above all, the complex interpersonal relationships that shape it—to tell a story with difficult moral choices.
In The Windy Hill, the author takes on generational greed and covetousness in a green valley in the northeast corner of the US (where many, if not all, her books are set). In an interesting narrative structure, she weaves the story of Uncle Jasper and his niece and nephew, Janet and Oliver, with their ancestors through the stories of the “Beeman” who serves as the catalyst for change. Through this storyline, the author’s emphasis on justice, kindness to others (both humans and animals) and praise for the human spirit are indelibly linked to the characters.
While I adore the complex and highly descriptive prose Cornelia Meigs writes with, it definitely requires attention to detail and focus, much different than the style more current books are written. Additionally, the plot is rather slow and just a tiny bit moralistic, focusing on changes of heart which always take time. These timeless truths are worth exploring, but be ready for a slow, if compelling, read.
