Newbery Winners
1957 - 1961

1961 Medal Winner

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell YA NEWBERY O’Dell, S. + j NEWBERY ODE

"A haunting and unusual story based on the fact that in the early 1800s an Indian girl spent 18 years alone on a rocky island far off the coast of California. . . . A quiet acceptance of fate characterizes her ordeal."--"School Library Journal, " starred review. William Allen White Award; ALA Notable Children's Book

Honor Books

America Moves Forward: A History for Peter by Gerald W. Johnson 

Old Ramon by Jack Schaefer j SCH

The Cricket In Times Square by George Selden, pseud. (George Thompson) j SEL

The comic, sometimes tragic side of life in the city is brought into vivid relief as Chester Cricket and his friends struggle to bring success to their human friends' nearly bankrupt newsstand.

1960 Medal Winner

Onion John by Joseph Krumgold YA NEWBERY Krumgold, J.

This is the story of a friendship between a 12-year-old boy and an immigrant handyman, almost wrecked by the good intentions of the townspeople. "One of the distinguished books of our time. The writing has dignity and strength".--School Library Journal. 1960 Newbery Medal; ALA Notable Children's Books of 1940-1970.

Honor Books

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George j GEO

A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship. 

America Is Born: A History for Peter by Gerald W. Johnson 

The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall j KEN

Carol Kendall's witty, epic tales about the race of people called the Minnipins are now available as Odyssey/Harcourt Young Classics. Now a new generation of readers can thrill to the adventures of the tiny folk who become mighty heroes.

1959 Medal Winner

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare YA NEWBERY Speare, E.

In 1687 in Connecticut, Kit Tyler, feeling out of place in the Puritan household of her aunt, befriends an old woman considered a witch by the community and suddenly finds herself standing trial for witchcraft. 

Honor Books

The Family Under The Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson 

Old Armand, a Parisian hobo, enjoyed his solitary, carefree life (until he) found that three homeless children and their working mother had claimed his shelter under the bridge. A charming and memorable story."

Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa by Francis Kalnay j KAL

When Pedro spies Chucaro, the pink pony, on the Pampa, he can hardly believe his eyes. Unfortunately, the estancerio's son is as determined as Pedro to own the pony. But, as the wisest gauchos know, ponies as special as Chucaro can never truly be owned--and Chucaro alone will decide who has the privilege of riding him.

The Perilous Road by William O. Steele j STE 

Chris Brabson hates the Union troops. Yankee riders in the Tennessee mountains have stolen his family's newly harvested crops and their only horse. In spite of this, Chris' brother joins the Union army, and his parents refuse to take either side. But Chris has no doubts--he would fight for the Confederacy. This Newbery Honor book powerfully illustrates the senseless waste of war and the true meaning of courage and tolerance.

1958 Medal Winner

Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith YA NEWBERY Keith, H.

"This full-length junior novel should hold a place with the best Civil War fiction for young people. The fighting takes place in the West. . . . A young farm boy joins the Union forces, becomes a scout . . . There is suspense in the telling and many a colorful character".--The Horn Book.

Honor Books

The Horsecatcher by Mari Sandoz

Unable to kill, a young Cheyenne is scorned by his tribe when he chooses to become a horse catcher rather than a warrior. 

Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright j ENR

Portia and her cousin Julian discover summer adventure in a hidden colony of forgotten summer houses on the shores of a swampy lake.

The Great Wheel by Robert Lawson j LAW 

In an engrossing story that captures the spirit of American industrial growth, a young Irishman moves to Chicago to help construct the world's first ferris wheel.

Tom Paine, Freedom's Apostle by Leo Gurko 

1957 Medal Winner

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson j NEWBERY SOR 

Marly and her family share many adventures when they move from the city to a farmhouse on Maple Hill.

Honor Books

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson j GIP

A stray dog is befriended by a family of poor farmers in 1869 Texas.

The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong j DEL

After escaping from the Japanese army with his family, Tien Pao, sleeping alone in the boat, drifts back towards the Japanese soldiers during a storm. Now he must find his family and safety again.

Mr. Justice Holmes by Clara Ingram Judson 

The Corn Grows Ripe by Dorothy Rhoads

When his father is badly injured in an accident, a young Mayan boy called Tigre wonders who will plant and harvest the corn that they need to survive--and to please the Mayan gods. Twelve-year-old Tigre has never done a man's work before. Now he will have to take his father's place. 

Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite de Angeli