Newbery Medal · 2003

The 2003 Newbery Medal

The Cross of Lead won the 2003 Newbery Medal. Browse it alongside all 5 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2003 Newbery Medal Winner
The Cross of Lead
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

The Cross of Lead

By Avi · Book #1 in the Crispin series

A young fugitive must outwit his pursuers in medieval England to survive.

Newbery Medal (2003)
262 pages· 48,501 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 28,760 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In medieval England, young Crispin is declared a 'wolf's head,' marked for death for a crime he didn't commit. Fleeing with only his mother's cross of lead, he encounters Bear, a mysterious man who challenges him to think independently. As enemies close in, Crispin is drawn into a perilous fortress, where he must navigate treachery and danger to save lives. Will he find freedom or fall victim to the forces against him? This gripping tale of survival and courage is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
2003 Honor Books
A Corner of the Universe
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2002

A Corner of the Universe

By Ann M. Martin

A shy girl meets her enigmatic uncle, unraveling family secrets and changing her world forever.

Newbery Honor (2003)
189 pages
4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,710 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Hattie's quiet life is upended when her uncle Adam, who has been institutionalized for schizophrenia and autism, returns home. As Hattie bonds with her excitable uncle, she discovers a new perspective on life, challenging her family's perceptions. Can Hattie bridge the gap between her family and Adam's unique world, or will the summer reveal more than she bargained for?
Hoot
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2002

Hoot

By Carl Hiaasen

Can a new kid save endangered owls from a pancake empire's expansion?

Newbery Honor (2003)
292 pages· 61,220 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 111,854 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Florida, a new kid faces bullies and corporate greed as he teams up with a wild friend to save endangered owls from a pancake chain's construction site. Will their pranks succeed, or are the owls doomed? Discover a world where nature fights back in this thrilling adventure.
Pictures of Hollis Woods
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

Pictures of Hollis Woods

By Patricia Reilly Giff

A girl fights to keep her newfound family together against all odds.

Newbery Honor (2003)
166 pages· 31,508 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 30,896 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Hollis Woods has bounced between foster homes, never finding a true family. When she meets Josie, a forgetful but loving artist, Hollis finally feels at home. But as Josie's memory fades, Social Services threatens to separate them. Determined to stay together, Hollis plans an escape, all while cherishing memories of a summer with the Regans. Can Hollis protect her new family and find a place to belong? This heartfelt tale explores the power of art, memory, and the longing for a true home.
Surviving the Applewhites
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

Surviving the Applewhites

By Stephanie S. Tolan · Book #1 in the Applewhites series

A rebellious boy meets his match in a quirky family's home school. Can he survive the chaos?

Newbery Honor (2003)
240 pages· 44,937 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 11,762 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Jake Semple, a notorious troublemaker, lands in the unconventional home school of the eccentric Applewhite family. Among artists and dreamers, he clashes with E.D., the sensible outsider. As chaos ensues, Jake must confront whether he's truly as tough as he believes. Will he adapt or unravel in this whirlwind of creativity and conflict?
The House of the Scorpion
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2002

The House of the Scorpion

By Nancy Farmer · Book #1 in the The House of the Scorpion series

A clone's fight for freedom in a world that fears him.

Newbery Honor (2003)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2002)Michael L. Printz Honor (2003)
432 pages· 100,586 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 97,873 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Matt Alacrán, a clone of the powerful drug lord El Patrón, grapples with his identity in a world that sees him as a monster. As he navigates the treacherous Alacrán Estate, surrounded by sinister forces and a power-hungry family, Matt realizes that escape is his only hope for survival. But even if he breaks free, can he ever truly be free from the shadow of his origins? In a land where his very existence is a threat, Matt must uncover the truth about himself and what it means to be human.
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