The Newbery Award became the first children's book award in the world. Its terms, as well as its long history, continue to make it the best known and most discussed children's book award in this country. The Newbery Medal is named for John Newbery and has been awarded since 1922, its focus is for the best writing for children by an American author of the previous year. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. Each year one author receives a medal. Every January, a committee for each medal gets together and announces the winners they have been mulling over throughout the previous year. |
Newbery was born in 1713 to Robert Newbery, a farmer, in Berkshire, England. When he was younger he gave himself an education. He was apprenticed to a local printer, William Ayers, at the age of sixteen. The business was later sold to William Carnan. In 1737 Carnan, died and left the business to his brother, Charles Carnan, and Newbery. Two years later, Newbery married William Carnan's widow, Jordan Mary. He adopted Mary's three children, John, Thomas and Anna-Maria. In 1740 their daughter, Mary was born. John, born in 1741, died at age 11. Son Francis arrived in 1743.
The Newbery Medal is an award that is given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a part of the American Library Association. The medal is presented each year to an author of children's picture books. The author must appear in a book published in the United States.
The actual medal is bronze and has the winner's name and the date engraved on the back. |
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