Newbery book awards 2022
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Some people wait for the Oscar award nominations, but here at SpeechWorks we look forward to the end of January when the American Library Association announces their annual youth media awards, including the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.
The Last Cuentista written by Donna Barba Higuera, is the 2022 Newbery Medal winner. In 2021, the book received Best of the Year recognition from Time, Wall Street Journal, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Boston Globe, Bookpage, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Chicago Public Library, and the New York Public Library.
Four Newbery Honor Books also were named:
Red, White, and Whole written by Rajani LaRocca, shares the story of a teenage Indian-American girl straddling two cultures as her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger follows the traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure and addresses the themes of family, climate change, and identity.
According to Time Magazine, Too Bright to See written by Kyle Lukoff is “A tender portrayal of a kid who is just coming to understand who he is.”
If Watercress, illustrated by Jason Chin and written by Andrea Wang, seems familiar, then you may have seen that it is the 2022 Caldecott Medal winner for outstanding contribution to children’s literature. The story shares how gathering watercress by the side of the road brings a girl closer to her family’s Chinese heritage.
Whether you’re looking for a kid lit book for you or your child, then be sure to check out these great reads.
Jann Fujimoto, MS CCC-SLP is an avid reader and looks forward to the announcement of the Newbery Medal each January. She’s a speech-language pathologist and owner of SpeechWorks. SpeechWorks helps children become confidence communicators and provides in-person and online speech therapy services.