What do the books Number the Stars, The Giver, Bud, Not Buddy, and The One and Only Ivan have in common? They are all past recipients of the Nunnery Medal. For more than a century, the Newbery Medal has been awarded to the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. The 2024 Newbery Medal winner was just announced by the American Library Association at their LibLearnX Conference in Baltimore, Md. The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) has a connection to this distinction because our own early literacy specialist, Gretchen Schulz, served on this year’s Newbery Award Selection Committee. It’s an appointment that comes with great responsibility and very little free time.
The Newbery Award Selection Committee is part of the Association for Library Service to Children, which is a division of the American Library Association. It consists of 15 members from across the country, each serving two-year terms. “When I was notified I was voted on to stand as a member, I felt a mix of disbelief, elation, flatterery, and nerves. To be nominated was an honor itself, to be a member was a career dream come true,” said Schulz. Librarians play a very important role in selecting the winning title, pulling from their expertise at recognizing literary excellence among the hundreds of submissions.
“Throughout 2023, our committee received around 600 books from U.S. publishers. That equated to about 30-45 books read a month,” added Schulz. “Thankfully, the responsibility of finding the best of the best does not fall on one person’s shoulders. When I felt pressure throughout the year, I reminded myself the responsibility does not solely rely on me, and to believe in the power of the group.” Unlike a single reviewer or bookseller, the Newbery Award represents the collective wisdom of a diverse panel of experts, making it a far stronger endorsement than any individual opinion. The award honors books that encourage imagination, ignite curiosity, and leaves an indelible mark on young minds that stays with them long after the final page is turned.
In addition to the titles mentioned above, winners you may have enjoyed in the past such as A Wrinkle in Time, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and Bridge to Terabithia, remain staples of childhood reading today. These stories become companions, windows to diverse experiences, and catalysts for dreams, ensuring that each generation has a narrative to enjoy. The legacy began in 1922, after Frederic G. Melcher proposed creating the award, “To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life’s work to serve children’s reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field.” (www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newbery).
The Newbery Medal was named after 18th C entury bookseller John Newbery and became the first children’s book award in the world. It remains one of the best known in this country. Now a new title has joined the legacy! Introducing the 2024 John Newbery Medal winner for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: The Eyes and the Impossible, written by Dave Eggers.
The Eyes and the Impossible is told from the perspective of Johannes, a dog with no owner, who lives in a park near the sea. He is known as “The Eyes” because he oversees the park’s happenings and reports them back to the “Keepers of the Equilibrium” (three elderly bison who are housed nearby). But change is coming to the park, as large buildings, odd creatures (goats?), and more humans begin to encroach on their land. Can Johannes maintain his independence as a free dog while navigating these new developments? “Readers are taken on a lovely adventure, with some comedy built in,” said Schulz. Author Dave Eggers tackles deep topics with ease through the voice of Johannes, making it a beautifully-written and outstanding contribution to children’s literature recommended for ages 8 – 12.
As a child , Eggers lived in Lake Forest, Ill. and eventually attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He lives in northern California. In addition to the Newbery Medal winner, five Newbery Honor books were named by the American Library Association: Eagle Drums written and illustrated by Nasullraq Rainey Hopson, Elf Dog, and Owl Head written by M.T. Anderson, Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir written and illustrated by Pedro Martín, Simon Sort of Says written by Erin Bow, and finally, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, written by Daniel Nayeri. All of these books are available for checkout at the Library.
The distinction of being a Newbery winner or honor book is not just about literary merit, but about embracing the magic of shared experiences, nurtured by the enduring power of a well-told tale.
What was your favorite book from your childhood? Whether it was a Newbery winner or not, what about it has stayed with you for all these years? If it’s been a while since you’ve revisited it, come to the library and we’ll help you find that magic again. For more information about the recently announced winners, please visit
http://tinyurl.com/ALAWinners2024
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.