The Ten Best Newberry Award-Winning Books of All Time

The Newberry Award Medal is awarded by American Library Association to recognize outstanding books in the field of children's literature. Newberry books not only entertain, but can influence people for their entire lives. Some of the books I remember most fondly are books I read as a child, and when I was young, I (and many others) quickly discovered that a Newberry medal on the cover almost always guaranteed a great read.

The Cat Who Went to Heaven - Elizabeth Coatsworth, 1930

'The Cat Who Went to Heaven' is a sophisticated children's book. Based on Buddhist beliefs, it tells the story of a white cat named Good Fortune and her owner, a poor painter trying to get by. Good Fortune overcomes the painter's sour opinion of cats with her superior behavior, and dies of happiness after being featured in a painting about the death of the Buddha. Brave and emotionally complex, 'The Cat Who Went to Heaven' is one of the first children's books I ever read which treated both animals and Eastern religions with respect.

The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle - Hugh Lofting, 1922

This Doctor Doolittle book is actually the second in the series about the man who could talk to animals. Though the book has had to be edited to get rid of some of the more unfortunate characterizations of Africans, it nevertheless provides a good story and a fine lesson in appreciating the gifts of the earth.

Sounder - William H. Armstrong, 1979

A gritty book set during the Depression, 'Sounder' is the story of young boy, his family, and his tough, tough dog. A well-written, honest novel, it shows that kids can understand, grow and handle difficulties much more than adults give them credit for - something to keep in mind in a time when many adults hysterically try to shield children from anything which may cause them discomfort.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - Robert C. O'Brien, 1971

This classic book about the saga of a widowed field mouse has probably spawned generations of vegetarians and animal activists, and hopefully made even more people a little more sensitive to the treatment of animals.

M.C. Higgins, the Great - Virginia Hamilton, 1974

M.C. Higgins is a brave and adventurous African-American boy growing up in West Virginia. It follows Higgins as he tries to save his mountain and grows into a young adult. An excellent moral lesson, it nevertheless uses its story so effortlessly that readers don't even realize they're learning something.

Up a Road Slowly - Irene Hunt, 1966

This novel by Irene Hunt may initially seem to some readers as a slow and old-fashioned book set in the long, long ago. But persistent readers will discover a book which deals which most decidedly modern topics as feelings of abandonment, painful teenage relationships, teen pregnancy, alcoholism and death. I picked this book at random from a RIFF book sale when I was about ten, and must have purchased it over and over ten times since.

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle, 1962

Who hasn't read Madeleine L'Engle's curiously Christian 1962 book about witches and time travel? Despite a foul 2003 made-for-TV version, young people continue to make the book a staple of libraries and bookshelves everywhere. The book also gave rise to three sequels.

Island of Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell, 1960

Scott O'Dell's novel of a girl left alone on an island for 18 years was a curious wish-fullfilling fantasy for a shy geek like myself. Karana not only lives but thrives, and takes on all the roles she was previously told she couldn't do. Empowering and a good adventure story to boot.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Elizabeth George Speare, 1958

I was interested in anything to do with witches when I was eleven, and that was the year I read 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond'. I was let down that the main character, Kit, was not a witch and that in the end there were no witches at all. However, I was won over by the interesting story and well-researched historical details, which probably helped shape a life-long fascination with historical novels.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg, 1967

I was sold on this one by the set-up: two runaway children decide they are going to live in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. I found this so utterly enthralling that I never lost the desire to do so myself (except I would choose a library over a museum). The entire plot concerning the mystery of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler always seemed secondary, but the book is nevertheless a wonderful read, even as an adult. Kongisburg also wrote one of my other favorite children's books - 'Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth'.