Children's book award · 19222026

Newbery Medal Books

By the Bookroo Editors

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.

Information from the American Library Association.

All the Blues in the Sky
The most recent cycle

The 2026 Newbery Medal

2026 Newbery Medal Winner
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2025

All the Blues in the Sky

By Renée Watson

A girl's thirteenth birthday turns tragic, leading her on a journey through grief and healing.

Newbery Medal (2026)
182 pages· 17,150 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,264 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: On her thirteenth birthday, Sage faces unimaginable loss when her best friend dies. Struggling with grief, she joins a counseling group where she discovers the unpredictable nature of healing. As Sage navigates sadness, loneliness, and guilt, new friendships and experiences offer glimpses of hope. Can she find a way to embrace all her emotions and forgive herself? This poignant tale unfolds in verse, capturing the many shades of grief and the resilience of the human spirit.
2026 Honor Books
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

The Teacher of Nomad Land

Orphaned siblings flee across wartime Iran, pursued by spies, seeking safety and unity.

192 pages
4.1/5 Goodreads · 3,965 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1941 Iran, Babak and his sister, now orphans, fear separation. Babak takes up their father's role as a nomadic teacher, embarking on a perilous journey across the mountains. Along the way, they encounter a Jewish boy hiding from a Nazi spy. Together, they must navigate a world filled with soldiers and spies, racing against time and danger. As they traverse this war-torn landscape, can these young hearts from different backgrounds find a way to survive and communicate amidst chaos? An epic tale of courage and unity unfolds in the shadow of World War II.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

An undead fox's routine shatters when a badger soul defies the afterlife.

320 pages· 51,456 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,392 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In Deadwood Forest, Clare, an undead fox, guides souls to the afterlife. His routine is disrupted when Gingersnipes, a badger soul, cannot move on. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to consult Hesterfowl, a prophetic grouse. What they discover could alter the balance between life and death, forcing Clare to confront his own fate. Can Clare solve the mystery and restore order, or will the forest's secrets consume them both?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Two young souls, two eras, one mission: save their families amidst peril and magic.

420 pages· 82,620 words· Est. 11.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,364 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 731 China, Han Yu's rumored tiger-summoning skills are put to the test when a plague threatens his world. Meanwhile, in 1931 Chinatown, Luli faces a financial crisis that could shatter her family's dreams. Both must embark on dangerous journeys, confronting magical lakes and cunning thieves, to protect what they hold dear. As their paths unfold, the power of art and courage binds their stories across time. Will they succeed in their quests, or will the unknown prove too daunting?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

A Sea of Lemon Trees

A young boy leads a fight against school segregation in a landmark case.

304 pages· 17,705 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 888 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the shadow of the Great Depression, twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez faces a segregated school system in Lemon Grove. Chosen as the lead plaintiff, he stands against injustice, backed by his community and the Mexican Consulate. As threats loom, Roberto's courage and the community's determination ignite a historic legal battle, setting the stage for the first successful school desegregation case in the U.S. Will their fight for equality prevail against the odds?
Every year

Newbery Medal Winners by Year

The honorees

Books Recognized by the Newbery Medal

All the Blues in the Sky

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2025

A girl's thirteenth birthday turns tragic, leading her on a journey through grief and healing.

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Two young souls, two eras, one mission: save their families amidst peril and magic.

The Teacher of Nomad Land

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Orphaned siblings flee across wartime Iran, pursued by spies, seeking safety and unity.

A Sea of Lemon Trees

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

A young boy leads a fight against school segregation in a landmark case.

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

An undead fox's routine shatters when a badger soul defies the afterlife.

The First State of Being

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

A boy from the future changes everything for Michael. How far will he go to uncover the secrets of time?

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
Sale price
$1799

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

A young detective embarks on a citywide quest to reunite lost socks, uncovering unexpected adventures.

The Wrong Way Home
Sale price
$1799

The Wrong Way Home

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2024

Fern must choose between a familiar lie and an uncertain truth.

Across So Many Seas

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2024

Four generations, one family, countless journeys. Discover the ties that bind them across time and seas.

One Big Open Sky
Sale price
$1899

One Big Open Sky

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

A perilous journey west tests three women's quest for freedom and survival against poverty and patriarchal constraints.

The Eyes and the Impossible

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A dog witnesses mysterious changes in a park, challenging the balance of nature.

Simon Sort of Says
Sale price
$1699

Simon Sort of Says

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A boy seeks a fresh start in a town where the internet is banned, hoping to escape his past and find new stories to tell.

Elf Dog and Owl Head

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A boy and a mysterious dog uncover hidden forest secrets, facing unseen dangers.

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A young monk must save a cunning scammer from assassins to earn his freedom.

Eagle Drums
Sale price
$1899

Eagle Drums

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A young hunter faces a deadly choice from an eagle god on a perilous mountain journey.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Mexikid

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

A boy's road trip to Mexico reveals family secrets and self-discovery.

Freewater

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2022

Two siblings escape slavery, finding refuge in a hidden community threatened by outside dangers.

Iveliz Explains It All
Sale price
$1699

Iveliz Explains It All

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2022

A girl battles middle school and mental health, seeking understanding.

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

A family restaurant hides secrets, sparking a young girl's quest for truth.

The Last Mapmaker

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

A young mapmaker's assistant hides her past on a secret-laden voyage to a mythical land.

Series
Sale price
$1899

The Last Cuentista

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2021

A girl awakens on a new planet, the sole keeper of Earth's forgotten stories. Can she revive humanity's past?

Red, White, and Whole
Sale price
$1699

Red, White, and Whole

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

An Indian American girl faces her mother's illness, torn between cultural worlds and expectations.

A Snake Falls to Earth
Sale price
$1899

A Snake Falls to Earth

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2021

Two worlds collide as a girl and a spirit face a deadly threat.

Too Bright to See
Sale price
$1699

Too Bright to See

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2021

A ghostly mystery leads Bug to a life-changing discovery about identity.

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo