Newbery Medal · 1972

The 1972 Newbery Medal

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH won the 1972 Newbery Medal. Browse it alongside all 5 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

1972 Newbery Medal Winner
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
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Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1971

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

By Robert C. O'Brien, Zena Bernstein (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Rats of NIMH series

A mouse seeks help from intelligent rats to save her sick son.

Newbery Medal (1972)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1971)
233 pages· 53,663 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 187,476 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, faces a dire dilemma: move her family or risk their lives. Her son Timothy is too ill to travel. Enter the rats of NIMH, a group of ingenious creatures with a plan that could save them all. As Mrs. Frisby navigates this unexpected alliance, she discovers secrets that could change everything. Can she trust these extraordinary rats, and what will she learn about courage and sacrifice along the way? Dive into a tale of survival, intelligence, and unexpected friendships.
1972 Honor Books
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1971

The Tombs of Atuan

A priestess guards a dark secret; a wizard seeks forbidden treasure. Will she defy her fate?

187 pages· 45,931 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 140,403 ratings
Paperback
Summary: In the shadowy Tombs of Atuan, Tenar, now called Arha, serves as high priestess, stripped of her past. Her duty is to protect the Ring of Erreth-Akbe, a treasure sought by the mysterious wizard Ged. As Ged's magic and stories of distant lands awaken something within her, Tenar faces a choice: remain in darkness or risk everything for freedom. Can she trust the stranger who promises a world beyond her own? Discover the gripping tale of power, destiny, and the courage to change one's path in this captivating Earthsea adventure.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1971

Incident at Hawk's Hill

A small boy vanishes into the prairie, surviving with a badger's help.

207 pages
4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,939 ratings
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Paperback
Summary: In 1870, six-year-old Ben, more at ease with animals than people, vanishes into the prairie near Hawk's Hill. As the community searches, Ben forms an unlikely bond with a female badger, learning to survive in the wild. Can this connection help him find his way back home, or will the prairie become his new world? Discover a tale of courage and transformation as Ben navigates the challenges of nature and solitude.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1971

Annie and the Old One

A Navajo girl struggles to accept her grandmother's inevitable passing.

44 pages
3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,140 ratings
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Paperback
Summary: Annie, a young Navajo girl, desperately tries to prevent her beloved grandmother's death by delaying their weaving project. As she learns about life's natural cycle, will she find peace in letting go?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1971

The Headless Cupid

New stepsister Amanda's witchcraft lessons stir up ghostly mischief in an old house.

224 pages· 52,610 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,064 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: The Stanley children are intrigued by their new stepsister Amanda's witchcraft. As she teaches them her craft, strange occurrences plague their old house. David suspects Amanda, but a chilling legend of a headless cupid suggests a ghostly presence. Is the past haunting them, or is something more sinister at play? Discover the truth behind the eerie happenings and the secrets lurking within their home.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1971

The Planet of Junior Brown

A musical prodigy and his friend face a secret's exposure. Can they survive the fallout?

224 pages
3.7/5 Goodreads · 877 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Junior Brown, a gifted pianist, struggles with bullying and an overbearing mother. His only solace is his friendship with Buddy Clark, a homeless classmate. Together, they escape to a hidden cellar with Mr. Pool, the janitor. But when their secret is uncovered, will their bond withstand the consequences? As Junior's grip on reality slips, the stakes rise. Can friendship and music save them from the chaos of middle school and beyond?
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