< 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!
Secret of the Andes
By: Ann Nolan Clark
Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED
High up in the Andes there is a beautiful mountain valley, hidden away from the rest of the world. There Cusi, the Indian boy, lives with Chuto, the old Inca llama herder, helping him guard the precious flock. The walls of the llama corral are part of a ruined temple left from the days of old when the Incas ruled Peru.
Cusi helps with all the llamas—grazing them, shearing them, training them—but his own special pet is black Misti. Misti accompanies Cusi when Cusi leaves the valley and goes down to the world of people, the Spanish world, to search for his heart's desire. "Grieve not if your searching circles," Cusi has been told and, in time, he learns the meaning of these words.
This is a story that sings the grandeur of the mountains: the wild crags, the canyons and gorges, the lovely pastures and wildflowers and deep crystal pools. More than that it sings the grandeur of the Incas themselves: their grace and pride and dignity, the greatness that was never defeated but lives on, sacred within their hearts.
From the dust jacket
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
By: Alice Dalgliesh
Illustrated by: Helen Sewell
Honor
Reviewed by: Sandy Hall
Recommended age: Age 6+
Also read and recommended by: Deanna Knoll, Lara Lleverino, Sarah Kim, Sherry Early
An excellent age-appropriate story for young readers about conquering fears, showing ownership, and a young person finding their place in a family and community.
Birthdays of Freedom: From Early Egypt to the Fall of Rome
By: Genevieve Foster
Illustrated by: Genevieve Foster
Honor
Reviewed by: Sandy Hall
Beginning with 1776 and the Declaration of Independence, Genevieve Foster notes the high points of important freedom events throughout history as the subtitle says, "from early Egypt to the fall of Rome." More factual than her usual narrative style, the text describes each time period and event with clarity, recounting the importance of the events. From the earliest civilizations and their beginnings of law and governance to the code of Hammurabi of Babylon to the early Greek philosophers, Foster documents man's struggle to define and implement freedom.
Some parents might want to know that the start of the book is about the "growls and grunts and strange sounds used by early man," and how ancient cave men learned to talk and share ideas.
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Charlotte's Web
By: E. B. White
Illustrated by: Garth Williams
Honor
Reviewed by: Terri Shown
Also read and recommended by: Lara Lleverino, Sandy Hall, Sherry Early, Tanya Arnold, Terri Shown
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White is a timeless tale that has enchanted readers for generations. Set on Zuckerman's Farm, the story follows the unlikely friendship between Wilbur, a small pig, and Charlotte, a wise spider. Themes of friendship, courage, the circle of life, and the power of words are beautifully woven into this classic narrative.
The heartwarming bond between Wilbur and Charlotte teaches valuable lessons about acceptance and support. Both characters display courage in the face of challenges, inspiring readers to confront their fears with resilience.
The novel gently explores the circle of life on the farm, introducing children to concepts of birth, death, and the natural order of things. E.B. White's storytelling provides a platform for parents to discuss these inevitable cycles with their children.
"Charlotte's Web" emphasizes the profound impact of words and storytelling. Charlotte's web messages showcase the transformative power of language, encouraging readers to appreciate the significance of words in shaping perceptions and fostering understanding.
Perfect for a family read-aloud, "Charlotte's Web" brings loved ones together with its accessible prose and timeless themes. Whether it's a first encounter or a nostalgic revisit, this enchanting tale promises to create lasting memories and impart valuable life lessons for families of all ages. So, gather around and let the magic of "Charlotte's Web" create shared moments that will resonate in your hearts for years to come.
Moccasin Trail
By: Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Runaway Jim Keath, trapping for beaver in the vast wild country beyond the Missouri River, is left for dead after a grizzly's attack. Found and adopted by Crow Indians, he grows up knowing only the chase, the tepee, the broad plains of Absaroka and the Indian's wandering, restless life. By the time he returns to trapping he finds the world of the "mountain man" in ruins—the beaver gone, himself adrift and lonely. A mysterious letter, signed by a brother he has not seen in nine years, points a new trail—to Oregon and reunion with a family he has all but forgotten.
Half-savage and wholly undomesticated, Jim is a shock to his sister and brothers, who, orphaned on the wagon-trail across the continent, seek a home and a future in Oregon. It is a strange and difficult meeting; but far worse is the road ahead, which begins when Jim, his mule Bad Medicine, his beautiful stolen mare Buckskin, and Moki, his wolf-like dog, join forces with the younger Keaths to fight their way . . .
From the dust jacket
Red Sails to Capri
By: Ann Weil
Illustrated by: C. B. Falls
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
The minute he saw the boat with the red sails moving into the harbor, Michele knew that something exciting was going to happen. But how could anyone know that three strangers—one searching for beauty, one for adventure, and one for "something difficult to explain"—would find the secret of the mysterious cove (the Blue Grotto) and so change the whole life of the island? A crisply told, exciting story, sparkling with good talk and the sunshine and color of its romantic setting.
The story is part true and part fiction, and it is unusual in its way of telling, as Mrs. Weil explained in a letter to the publishers:
"For a long time I've been interested in the fact that children are attracted to almost any kind of dialogue, and I thought it would be fun—just once—to give them a book that was almost all...
From the dust jacket
