< 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 White Stag
By: Kate Seredy
Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED
"And I took a ball of golden thread with me and unwound it as I trailed the White Stag of legends from the great tomb of Nimrod to the green plains between two blue rivers—the Hungarian Plains.
"Those who want to hear the voice of pagan gods in wind and thunder, who want to see fairies dance in the moonlight, who can believe that faith can move mountains, can follow the thread on the pages of this book. It is a fragile thread; it cannot bear the weight of facts and dates."
Here is the epic story of the migration of Huns and Magyars (Kate Seredy's remote ancestors) from Asia to Europe. Written in beautiful rhythmic prose with pictures that make it all a breath-taking pageant. A book for mature minds and hearts.
Awarded the John Newberry Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
From the dust jacket of the 1965 edition
Bright Island
By: Mabel Robinson
Illustrated by: Lynd Ward
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
BRIGHT ISLAND is a book for young people and for adults who find beauty in the early morning of life. It is the story of an island-born girl, Thankful Curtis, and the magic of the island which always calls her home. Here she lives with her Scotch mother, her Maine father, and the pervading presence of the sea captain grandfather who lives again in her rather than in the four brothers.
From her island, and her sailboat, and her staunch friend Dave, Thankful has to go away finally to school. She finds the uncharted waters of a sophisticated school difficult to navigate. Through her experiences with Selina, the roommate who ignores her, Robert, who charms her with his gaiety and his grace, and Orin Fletcher, with his knife-like tongue and tenderness towards her, her compass veers around at last to its true north.
It is a book where each character lives with abiding reality for the reader, where Bright Island lies vivid under the winter lashings or in quiet summer seas, where people work out their lives with inevitable truth. Bright Island stands for home, and the kind of complete life where an individual has control of the elements necessary to life and well being.
From the dust jacket
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
On the Banks of Plum Creek
By: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Illustrated by: Helen Sewell and Mildred Boyle
Honor
Reviewed by: Terri Shown
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sara Masarik, Sarah Kim, Sherry Early
Laura Ingalls Wilder's "On the Banks of Plum Creek" is a captivating continuation of the beloved Little House series. In this installment, the Ingalls family faces new challenges and adventures as they settle in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.
The story follows Laura and her family as they build their new home into the banks of Plum Creek. Readers are immersed in the daily life of the Ingalls family, experiencing the joys and struggles of frontier living. From the bustling town of Walnut Grove to the challenges of farming the land, Wilder's vivid descriptions transport readers to a bygone era.
One of the strengths of Wilder's writing is her ability to capture the essence of family life. The Ingalls family's close-knit bonds and enduring love for each other resonate throughout the narrative. Readers of all ages can relate to the universal themes of perseverance, resilience, and the importance of family in the face of adversity.
Wilder's attention to detail brings the setting to life, allowing readers to envision the picturesque landscapes, the bustling town, and the cozy interiors of the Ingalls' home. The descriptions of nature and the changing seasons add a beautiful layer to the storytelling, making it a delightful read for nature enthusiasts.
The character development in "On the Banks of Plum Creek" is commendable. Readers witness the growth and maturation of Laura as she navigates the challenges of frontier life. The supporting characters, including Mary, Ma, and Pa, are also well-crafted and contribute to the rich tapestry of the narrative.
Overall, "On the Banks of Plum Creek" is a heartwarming and nostalgic journey into the past. Laura Ingalls Wilder's masterful storytelling, combined with her keen observations of frontier life, creates a book that is both entertaining and educational. It's a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers of all generations, making it a perfect addition to any family's literary collection.
Pecos Bill: The Greatest Cowboy of All Time
By: James Cloyd Bowman
Illustrated by: Laura Bannon
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Pecos Bill is the fabled hero of the cattle country. Here is presented some three hundred pages of his marvelous exploits and deeds of daring. Few legendary heroes are so universally loves as Pecos Bill. His exploits appeal to young and old alike. The lover of tall tales will find much to delight him. Those who are interested in real American folk lore will find a wealth of material here. Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan take their place together as the two great legendary American heroes.
From the dust jacket
