The 2020 Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal, and Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards have long served as a guide to those seeking some of the best original and creative content published for young readers. These prize winners are the books that shape childhoods, give new perspectives to budding readers, and start a lifelong love of stories and the written word. This year’s winner are:
The John Newbery Medal
With its long history, the Newbery is the most recognizable children’s book award given for “the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year.”
The 2020 Newbery Medal Winner — New Kid, by Jerry Craft
An honest look at starting over in a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. This graphic novel is tender and heartbreaking, yet funny and uplifting. A story sure to resonate deeply with young readers.
Newbery Honor Books: The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Scary Stories for Young Foxes, by Christian McKay Heidicker, illustrated by Junyi Wu, Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga, and Genesis Begins Again, by Alicia D. Williams.
The Randolph Caldecott Medal
Awarded to the artist that illustrated the “most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year.”
The 2020 Caldecott Medal Winner — The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
A powerful tribute to the African American experience in America. Kadir Nelson’s trademark photorealistic style showcases the many struggles and triumphs of some of the world’s greatest heroes with grace and strength.
Caldecott Honor Books: Bear Came Along, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris; Double Bass Blues, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Loney; and Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Given to exceptional African American authors and illustrators of children and YA literature that “demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.”
The 2020 Author Award Winner — New Kid, by Jerry Craft
Author Honor Books: The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, by Junauda Petrus; Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, by Kwame Mbalia; and Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, by Jason Reynolds.
The 2020 Illustrator Award Winner — The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Illustrator Honor Books: The Bell Rang, illustrated by James E. Ransome, written by the illustrator; Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace, illustrated by Ashley Bryan, written by the illustrator; and Sulwe, illustrated by Vashti Harrison, written by Lupita Nyong’o.