Newbery Award

1. Newbery Award

2. The medal The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

3. John Newbery • Is believed to be the first person to create a story to read for pleasure and for instruction. • Newbery's A Little Pretty Pocket Book (1744) was an illustrated catalogue of children's amusements based on the alphabet.. It was the first of his many children's book.  He wrote on the book “instruction with delight”.

4. Criteria • The Award is given to authors who are citizens or live in the United States. • Book has been published in the preceding year. • Must be original work.

5. Past Winners

6. 2012 Winner • Dead End in Norveltby Jack Norvelt • The importance of history and reading (so you don’t do the same “stupid stuff” again) is at the heart of this achingly funny romp through a dying New Deal town. While mopping up epic nose bleeds, Jack narrates this screw-ball mystery in an endearing and believable voice.