I love reading an award-winning book. Sure, it doesn't mean I'll like it but it means that a lot of people thought it was worth reading. Did you know the Newbery Medal was the first ever award for children's literature? The first one was given to a book published in 1922, over 100 years ago! The purpose of the award was "To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels." I think it does! People flock to the library for these books.
Since I'm a big science fiction reader, here's some of my top favorite titles which all explore future worlds or new technology:
The First State of Being: The 2025 Newbery-medal winner was one of my favorite books of last year, not just because of the very suspense-filled Y2K setting. There's also a mysterious teenager named Ridge, who turns out to be from the future, and won't reveal if Y2K is a big issue. They work together to get Ridge back where he belongs as Y2K gets closer and closer.
Don't miss Erin Entrada Kelly's other Newbery-award and honor winning books, Hello, Universe and We Dream of Space.
The Last Cuentista: This incredible story about storyteller Petra Peña takes place on a spaceship, far from the dying Earth. Petra wakes up to find the rest of her family and friends don't remember anything. Can she use her skills and memory to survive and change the worrisome trajectory of their ship?
Too Bright to See: The summer before middle school is always hard, but it's harder when you're being haunted. Bug is convinced that Uncle Roderick, who used to live with Bug and Bug's mom until his recent death, is haunting them and Bug's best friend Moira is no help since she has decided to focus on makeovers before middle school. Is the ghost really real? And how will Bug handle this tough summer alone?
The Twenty-one Balloons: One of my childhood favorites was this 1948 medal winner! It tells the story of a professor who accidentally lands his hot air balloon on Krakatoa and discovers all sorts of wonderful inventions to help the residents live on an active volcano.
Come celebrate Newbery winners in a different way in March at The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, where kids make funny, short films based on their favorite Newbery medal and honor books.
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