The Newbery Medal is awarded every year to "the most distinguished American children's book." It was named for the eighteenth century English bookseller, John Newbery.
The Newbery was the 1st award for children's books in the world.
Hendrik Willem Van Loon was given the first Newbery Medal in 1922 for his book, Story of Mankind.
The Newbery winner's speech is published each year in The Horn Book.
Five authors have won the Newbery Medal twice, including: Joseph Krumgold, Elizabeth George Speare, E.L. Konigsburg, Katherine Paterson, and Lois Lowry.
In 1975, Virginia Hamilton was the first African-American author to win the Newbery Medal for her book, M.C. Higgins, the Great.