Best Newbery Award Winners

Hoot

Author: Carl Hiaasen

Year: 2002

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Age: 9 – 12

More info: Newbery Honor Winner

Plot

Mother Paula’s Pancakes is the most popular pancake restaurant around and they want to open their new restaurant on the site where endangered owls live. Can the new kid in school find a way to save the owls?

Why Jackie loves it

This book is a Newberry Honor Winner and is perfect for animal lovers of every age.

Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners

The Crossover

Author: Kwame Alexander

Year: 2014

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Age: 10 – 13

More info: Coretta-Scott King Award Winner, Newbery Medal Winner, The Crossover #1

Plot

Kwame Alexander has won many awards for his incredible prose. This tween novel, the first in a series, is no exception having won both the Newberry and The Coretta-Scott King Award. The Crossover is about Josh Bell a basketball-loving middle-schooler who also loves to rap. He learns to grow up and figure out who he is on and off the court – and especially what differentiates him from his twin brother, Jordan.

Trigger Warnings

Death of parent, Grief

Why Kirsten loves it

Kwame Alexander has won many awards for his incredible proses. This tween novel, the first in a series, is no exception having won both the Newberry and The Coretta-Scott King Award. My son and I loved this one on audiobook!

Find this book in: Best Books for 10-year-olds / Realistic Fiction Books / Middle Grade Fiction / Best Books for Tweens / Newbery Award Winners

Long Way Down

Author: Jason Reynolds

Year: 2019

Genre: Fiction

Age: 12+

More info: A Newbery Honor Book, A Coretta Scott King Honor Book, A Printz Honor Book, A Time Best YA Book of All Time

Plot

This book for a 13-year-old takes place throughout a 60-second elevator ride. 15-year-old Will is taking the elevator down on his way to shoot his brother’s killer. Visited by spirits at each level as he descends, he needs to decide if he should continue the cycle of street violence or let his brother’s death go unavenged.

Trigger Warnings

Gun violence

Why Kirsten loves it

This moving book about grief is perfect for teens. It’s not a long story, but it doesn’t need to be. I would recommend it for a parent-child book club because everyone will find this powerful story to be thought-provoking and worthy of discussion!

Find this book in: Best Books for 12-year-olds / Fiction Books about Grief / Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Newbery Award Winners

The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Year: 2012

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Age: 8 – 10

More info: One and Only Ivan #1

Plot

Based on the true story of Ivan, a gorilla trapped in a shopping mall, this feel-good story is one of the best family audiobooks for any road trip.

Stella, a young girl gets Ivan to start painting again and she realizes how lonely he is. Bob, a stray dog, works to help Ivan and Ruby, a baby elephant, garner the attention they need to be sent to a better home.

Trigger Warnings

Animal Cruelty

Why Jackie loves it

This book will touch your heart. Even though there are sad parts in this book, the ending will make it worthwhile. This is one of the best animal fiction books for middle grade and adults.

Find this book in: Books for 9-year-olds / Zoo Books / Family Audiobooks / Animal Novels / Audiobooks for Kids / Newbery Award Winners

Fantasy Newbery Award Winners

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

Author: Adam Gidwitz

Illustrator: Hatem Aly

Year: 2016

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8 – 12

More info: A New York Times Bestseller, Newbery Honor Book

Plot

In 13th century France, three children set out on a quest with their dog. Each of the children and the dog have a magical gift. Together, they survive a kidnapping, help defeat a dragon, and save the kingdom. Come read the tale of these unlikely friends – I promise, you won’t be able to put it down!

Why Jackie loves it

All of my kids have read this book and they all loved it- devoured it in a day. Somehow this book can combine historical characters and mythical tales of the 13th century with morals and lessons that are completely relevant today.

Find this book in: Middle Grade Books / Best Books for a 10-year-old / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Dragon Books for Tweens / Newbery Award Winners

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Year: 1993

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Age: 12+

More info: The Giver #1, Newbery Medal Winner

Plot

Set in a dystopian world, the main character Jonas is special because he is the Receiver. In his idyllic community, he is the one who holds the secrets. As he meets with the Giver to receive the secrets and learn about life before his community began, his eyes are opened to the kind of world he is living in and just how different it is to the way the world used to be.

Trigger Warnings

Child death, Death, Suicide

Why Kirsten loves it

This classic book for kids is one of the most influential novels of our time and one of the best sci-fi books ever written. I vividly remember the ending of this story and how emotional I got while reading it as a preteen in school. The movie is not my favorite adaptation, but it’s also worth watching.

Find this book in: Books Like the Hunger Games / YA Dystopian Novels / Coming-of-Age books for Teens / Best Books for 12-year-olds / Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Newbery Award Winners

Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Year: 2012

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9 – 12

More info: Newberry Honor Winner

Plot

A fairy named Lucinda puts a curse on Ella that requires her to do whatever anyone tells her to do. Lucinda thought that she was helping Ella’s mother because, as a baby, she would not stop crying. As Ella gets older, she attends a boarding school where she tries to make friends. There, she realizes she needs to rid herself of this gift so that she can stop doing the horrible things that other people make her do.

Why Jackie loves it

This book is a fairy tale retelling of Cinderella that is more fun than the original inspiration. My daughter reads this story over and over and can’t get enough of the movie adaptation starring Anne Hathaway either.

Find this book in: Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Newbery Award Winners / Fairy Tale Retellings / Best Books for 9-year-olds

A Wrinkle in Time

Author: Madeleine L’Engle

Year: 1962

Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi

Age: 8 – 11

More info: Time Quintet #1, Newbery Medal Winner

Plot

This classic sci-fi book for tweens tells the story of Meg, a high school student, who must travel through space and time to rescue her father.

Along with her younger brother and her friend, Meg learns about the tesseract- a wrinkle in time and space that she must travel through to save her father from Evil.

Why Jackie loves it

I remember loving this science fiction book as a kid. As far as classic sci-fi books go, this is a must-read.

Find this book in: Classic Books for Kids / Kids Audiobooks / Best Sci-fi Books / Middle Grade Books / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Author: Kelly Barnhill

Year: 2016

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8+

More info: New York Times Bestseller, Newbery Award Winner

Plot

Every year the people of a small town leave a baby as an offering to a witch in the hope that she will not hurt the town. But, the witch is kind and rescues the children rather than harming them.

When the witch, Xan, accidentally feeds the baby moonlight instead of starlight, the girl becomes magic and Xan chooses to raise her and names her Luna. Luna will have to learn to use her magic and protect the ones she loves.

Why Jackie loves it

My daughter loved this Newbery Award-winning book. It’s a great story and I’m so happy that teachers all over the country are adding it to their curriculum.

Find this book in: Newbery Award Winners / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Witch Books for Kids

Historical Fiction Newbery Award Winners

Number the Stars

Author: Lois Lowry

Year: 2004

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Age: 9+

More info: Newbery Medal Winner

Plot

This Newbery Medal Winning book takes place during WWII in Denmark. It emphasizes the small miracles that took place in order to save Denmark’s Jewish population by focusing on the story of Ellen and Annemarie. When the Nazis came to town, Jewish Ellen moved in with Annemarie, pretending to be a member of her family.

Trigger Warnings

Antisemitism, Genocide

Why Jackie loves it

This is a very powerful middle-grade historical fiction that I think every child should read. This book captured so much emotion, the beauty of friendship, and the power of kindness all while avoiding bringing in gruesome facts about the war.

Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Books for 11-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners

Because of Winn-Dixie

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Year: 2000

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

More info: Newbery Honor winner

Age Range: 8 – 12

Plot

Because of Winn-Dixie is a well-written, heartwarming book about the story of a girl named Opal who finds friendship with a smelly, dirty stray dog causing chaos in a supermarket. The dog soon helps Opal make friends and becomes her best friend in the process.

Why Jackie loves it

I love this pick from animal fiction books because it is a wonderful story about coming of age and finding yourself. It is a classic book for middle-grade through adult.

Find this book in: Animal Books / Animal Novels for Kids / Newbery Award Winners

The War That Saved My Life

Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age: 9+

More info: The War That Saved My Life #1, Newbery Honor Book, Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

Plot

Ada is a 10-year-old girl who lives in a one-room world gazing at the world from one window. She was born with a club foot and teaches herself to walk in secret. When the children who lived in London were evacuated to the country at the start of WW2, Ada escapes her abusive mother and leaves London with her little brother.

Ada thrives in the countryside on Susan’s farm and watching her grow is a pleasure. As Susan bonds with Ada and her brother, she starts to wonder what will happen when she returns to London.

Trigger Warnings

War, Child Abuse

Why Jackie loves it

I read this realistic fiction book in a few hours and immediately ordered the sequel The War I Finally Won. It is a story of love and survival in the face of overwhelming obstacles that is emotionally crafted and brilliantly written.

Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 12-year-old / Newbery Award Winners

Echo

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Year: 2015

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 10 – 12

More info: Newbery Honor Book, New York Times Bestseller, Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner

Plot

The story is three tales woven together in one with a magical harmonica at the center. The story follows a harmonica as it lands in the hands of Freidrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California.

Part fairy tale and part historical fiction, this is one story that is amazing for middle grade and adults alike. Each child has their own adventure but the end brings the three stories together in a beautiful way.

Trigger Warnings

Racism, Antisemitism

Why Kirsten loves it

It’s not often that I find myself contemplating a middle grade story long after I have finished it, but I have thought of this one many times in the years since I read it. My children loved it just as much as I did when we listened to it during a road trip.

Why Jackie loves it

I listened to this feel-good book and it blew me away. The full-cast audiobook plays music so it is a full sensory experience. In our opinion, this story is best in audiobook format.

Find this book in: World War II Books for Kids / Magical Realism Books / Books for 11-Year-Olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Novels About Music / Newbery Award Winners

Mystery Newbery Award Winners

The Egypt Game

Author: Zilpha Neatly Snyder

Year: 1967

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery

Age: 8 – 12

More info: Newbery Honor Winner

Plot

The 6 “Egyptians” play in the back lot of an antique store, dressing up, performing rituals, and speaking with Oracles. Then, a murder happens in the area and trouble comes to the lot.

Why Kirsten loves it

This middle grade fiction enchanted me as a young girl. Don’t worry, there is a happy ending to this tween mystery book and also a sequel about gypsies!

Find this book in: Middle Grade Fiction / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / Newbery Award Winners

The Westing Game

Author: Ellen Raskin

Year: 1979

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery

Age: 9 – 11

More info: Newbery Medal Winner

Plot

When Mr. Westing dies, he leaves the residents of Sunset Towers named in his will. But they need to solve the mystery of his death in order to win control of his company and gain his vast fortune. Your family will love trying to work out what happened along with the characters!

Why Kirsten loves it

The tween book that got me into mysteries as a child is also great as an audiobook. This classic 70s book is still a must-read today! It has withstood the test of time.

Find this book in: Best Middle Grade Mystery Books / Books for 11-year-olds / Books About Puzzles / Newbery Award Winners

Graphic Novel Newbery Award Winners

New Kid

Author: Jerry Craft

Illustrator: Jerry Craft

Year: 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Age: 9 – 12

More info: Winner of the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature — New Kid #1

Plot

This is a thought-provoking story about Jordan Banks, a 7th-grade boy who wants to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Instead, his parents send him to a prestigious private school where he is one of the few diverse students. He can’t seem to figure out where he fits in at home or at school.

Trigger Warnings

Racism, Classism, Bullying

Why Jackie loves it

This graphic novel has won numerous awards and for good reason. This is a good one for kids who aren’t yet ready for Angie Thomas’s books.

Find this book in: Graphic Novels / Best Book for 12-year-olds / Best Books for Tweens / Middle Grade Fiction / Back to School Books / Newbery Award Winners

Roller Girl

Author: Victoria Jamieson

Illustrator: Victoria Jamieson

Year: 2015

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel

Age: 8 – 11

More info: Newbery Honor Medal

Plot

Astrid and Nicole have done everything together until now. Astrid wants to go to roller derby camp. And thus begins a summer of friendship, finding yourself, perseverance, and girl power. Astrid may be strong enough to endure middle school.

Why Jackie loves it

Snag this if you are looking for a book for 11-year-olds. It’s entertaining and the pictures will engage even the most reluctant of readers.

Find this book in: Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Best Books for 9-year-olds / Best Graphic Novels of All Time / Newbery Award Winners

Classic Newbery Award Winners

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Author: Richard and Florence Atwater

Illustrator: Robert Lawson

Year: 1938

Genre: Classic Children’s Fiction

Age: 6 – 9

More info: Newbery Honor Winner

Plot

This Newberry Honor book is a classic. Originally published in 1938, it tells the story of a painter who finds himself in a house full of penguins.

Why Jackie loves it

This hilarious tale is sure to keep the kids entertained. It is funny and sweet and has withheld the test of time.

Find this book in: Best Classic Books for Kids / Read Aloud Children’s Books / Children’s Books About Winter / Newbery Award Winners

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Author: Elizabeth George Speare

Year: 1958

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Age: 10 – 13

More info: Newbery Award Winner

Plot

This books is about Kit Tyler, a child new to colonial America, who befriends a woman named Hannah Tupper. But the townspeople believe that Hannah is a witch, and soon Kit is swept into a trial similar to the Salem Witch Trials. She has to prove her innocence or risk being killed like a witch.

Trigger Warnings

Religious bigotry

Why Kirsten loves it

This children’s story is the book that sparked my interest in witch books.

Find this book in: Newbery Award Winners

Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Year: 1977

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Age: 9 – 12

More info: Newbery Medal Winner

Plot

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia.

One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

Trigger Warnings

Child Death

Why Jackie loves it

I’m pretty sure this coming-of-age tween book is required reading for everyone! This realistic fiction book set in the 70s is an award-winner for a reason.

Find this book in: Realistic Fiction Books / Middle Grade Fiction / Newbery Award Winners / Books Set in the 70s / Best Books for 9-year-olds

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Author: Beverly Cleary

Year: 1981

Genre: Early Reader

Age: 4 – 8

More info: Newbery Honor Winner

Plot

Ramona is another adorable character who is perfectly imperfect. She is sweet and lovable and gets into her share of trouble. Whether reading to boys or girls, every child can relate to Ramona.

Why Kirsten loves it

When it comes to first chapter books Ramona can’t be beaten! Cleary’s classic has stood the test of time.

Find this book in: Realistic Fiction / Books for 6-year-olds / Kids Audiobooks / Newbery Award Winners

Charlotte’s Web

Author: E.B. White

Illustrator: Garth Williams

Year: 1952

Genre: Children’s Classic

Age: 5-8

More info: Newbery Winner

Plot

This is such a wonderful story of unconditional love and friendship. When Fern saves the life of Wilbur, the runt of the pig litter, she promises to take care of him. As Wilbur grows, he befriends Charlotte, a spider, who ultimately saves his life a second time.

Why Jackie loves it

This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying.

Find this book in: Best Classic Books for Kids / Read Aloud Children’s Books / The Best Family Audiobooks / Animal Books for Kids / Newbery Award Winners

Nonfiction Newbery Award Winners

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team

Author: Christina Soontornvat

Year: 2020

Genre: Middle Grade Nonfiction

Age: 10 – 12

More info: Newbery Honor Winner, Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature

Plot

It is the true story of the Thai cave rescue of the 12 boys and their soccer coach in 2018. The boys and the coach had gone in to explore the cave and when they went to leave, the floodwaters left them trapped inside.

Why Jackie loves it

Complete with pictures, this story is told in a style that makes you feel like you were there.

Find this book in: Best Books for 10-year-olds / Best Middle Grade Books