My Favorite Newbery Award Winners
Of the 95 Newbery winners, these are my 15 favorite Newbery award winners chosen by a committee of librarians as the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children for the previous year
I meant this list of my favorite Newbery winners to only have 10 books on it. But then it was just impossible for me to get it that low.
Since 1922, 95 books have won the Newbery Medal and I’ve read 66 of them, so narrowing it to 15 seems fairly reasonable in my mind.
(When I did my favorite Caldecott books, I picked twelve. Apparently I love novels more than I love picture books).
My 15 Favorite Newbery Award Winners
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2013).
I pretty much don’t care for animals (I know) and I STILL think this is one of the best kids books ever, Newbery winner or not. When a book is this sweet, funny, and well-written, who cares if it’s narrated by a gorilla? Not me. (Full review here)
Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011).
I thought this was just a ridiculously fine piece of historical fiction. Funny, clever, surprising, and smart. (Full review here)
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (2002).
I didn’t know I had any interest in 12th century Korea until I read this. Then I made everyone I know read it. (Full Review here)
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck (2001).
Do you wish to laugh your head off? This is the book for you. (Full review here)
Holes by Louis Sachar (1999).
I seriously think this book is just the cleverest, weirdest book ever. I’m not a fan of most of his books (Wayside School is not for me), but this one is fantastic every time I read it.
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (1997).
This is one of the first books I ever remember reading where I thought, “Whoa, this is a well-written book.” And just fun.
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1995).
Road trip books and quirky books are both not my things. But this book is terrific. (Full review here)
The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994).
I didn’t read this Newbery winner until I was an adult, and then I immediately read the entire thing aloud to Bart. Can’t wait to see the movie!
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1990).
This was one of the first chapter books I read on my own (apparently my mom didn’t believe I actually had understood any of it and then I recapped the entire book for her).
Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt (1983).
I’d heard of this for years, but didn’t get around to reading it until I checked the first book, Homecoming, and then this one out from the library on audio when my library was going to be closed for a month and I had plenty of time to get through some 25 CDs. It was one of the most delightful listening experiences of my life.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1978).
This was another one I read as an adult and it’s one of my all-time favorites now. Heart-breaking and 100% perfect. (Full review here)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (1977).
I read this as a kid and then I reread it in grad school and sobbed my stupid eyes out.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (1972).
I remember the crazy excitement I felt reading it as a kid and watching the entire plot unfold.
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (1962).
When I was really trying to make progress through the Newbery award winners a few years ago, I was prepared to suffer through this. And then I just LOVED every second of it.
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (1936).
I love Little House on the Prairie and I really love this book too. (Full review here)
And if you’d like a printable copy of this list of my favorite Newbery award winners that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!
And if I’ve missed your favorite Newbery award winners, I’m super sorry and also probably just haven’t read them yet.
Our lists are similar! I am not a huge animal lover either but I absolutely loved The One and Only Ivan. I’d have to add the Tale of Desperaux – that is one of my favorites.
I’ve read all of these, and the only one I didn’t like was The One and Only Ivan. My experience with The Bronze Bow was similar to yours. I did not expect to like it at all, and really loved it in the end!
I am working my way through all of the Newbery books as well. There are some amazing stories on there! ❤️📚
When I was getting my masters degree I read Newberry winners since I was mostly too busy to read heavier/harder books. It was wonderful. My favorite of all time is The Giver. I read it every few years and it always makes me see something new and cry. Both of my girls loved it, Holes, and The One and Only Ivan.
I had my love-to-read light turned on when my fifth grade teacher read aloud to us the book, “Carry on, Mr. Bowditch.” It’s an old one but I gave it to my six children to read at different times and they all loved it! I recommend it highly!!
I agree!! I loved Carry on, Mr. Bowditch!
I’m in Canada, so many of the award authors are greeted by blank looks and a who? But as a librarian, and a life-long reader, I checked out the list in curiosity to see if I had any of the novels listed on the reference you mentioned. To my gobsmacked shock I found I have 70 of the listed winners and Honorary winners on my shelves…! Guess that this will be my project this winter (of 2024/2025) to reread the ones I have and try to find the rest. Thanks!
Walker Two Moons is one of the great literary loves of my life! I read it for the first time in fourth grade not long after it was published and I’ve gotten to read it to my students many times now as well. I get something new out of every read!
I love the entire Lois Lowry series. They are all incredible books.
Thank you for sharing this list. The ones I have read, I have loved. Looking forward to reading the others.