The John Newbery Medal and Randolph Caldecott Medal winners, along with the Honor books, have been announced. And let me tell you, this year is BIG. A picture book was awarded the top honor for writing! For me as a picture book writer, this is like my team winning the Super Bowl. Go team!

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena is only the second picture book to win the Newbery in it’s ninety-four year history. However, it really is the first “traditional” picture book, because A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers (Newbery 1982) was a collection of poems with illustrations.

John Newbery Medal
awarded for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature
(this one’s for the authors!)

 

 

Winner: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor: The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brusker Bradley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor: Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor: Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randolph Caldecott Medal
awarded for the most distinguished American picture book for children
(this one’s for the illustrators!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor: Trombone Shorty illustrated by Bryan Collier (written by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews)

 

 

 

 

 

Honor: Waiting illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor:  Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement illustrated by Ekua Holmes (written by Carole Boston Waterford)

 

 

 

Honor: Last Stop on Market Street illustrated by Christian Robinson (written by Matt de la Pena)