John Newbery Medal Winning and Honored Books

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The Newbery Medal or Honor Seal

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 2021

2021 – Newbery Honor
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Michele Wood

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