John Newbery Medal Winning and Honored Books
First awarded in 1922, The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. Virginia Hamilton, in 1975, was the first African American writer to win the medal. Learn more about this award at the ALA Website.
Below are the Newbery Winning and Honored books which were written by, or about, people of African descent.
One Book Honored with The Newbery Medal or Honor in 1969
1969 – Newbery Honor
To Be a Slave
by Julius Lester
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2000
List Price: $8.99
Format: Paperback, 176 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780141310015
Imprint: Puffin Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann
Read a Description of To Be a Slave
A Newbery Honor Book
What was it like to be a slave? Listen to the words and learn about the lives of countless slaves and ex-slaves, telling about their forced journey from Africa to the United States, their work in the fields and houses of their owners, and their passion for freedom. You will never look at life the same way again.
"The dehumanizing aspects of slavery are made abundantly clear, but a testament to the human spirit of those who endured or survived this experience is exalted."—Children’s Literature