John Newbery MedalThe Eyes and the ImpossibleDave EggersJohannes is a dog who has lived wild in a seaside urban park since puppyhood. He reports what he observes to three elderly bison living behind a fence, assisted by friends including a seagull, squirrel, raccoon, and pelican. After humans try to take him, Johannes and his friends reconsider the bison’s confinement and plan a mission to release them. Johannes also wants to see paintings at the park’s museum.All readersLexile Text Measure 790LATOS Book Level 5.3View book detailsJohn Newbery Medal and Honor Books 2024
The 2024 edition includes 5 Newbery Honor Books and 1 John Newbery Medal recipient. It records one year of the Newbery program for distinguished contributions to American children's literature. The program recognizes writing rather than illustration, sales, popularity, or a universal reading level.
2024 John Newbery Medal and Honor BooksSee the original list
Selections6
Published byAssociation for Library Service to Children (ALA)
SectionsAll readers
All readers
6 selections
John Newbery MedalThe Eyes and the ImpossibleDave EggersJohannes is a dog who has lived wild in a seaside urban park since puppyhood. He reports what he observes to three elderly bison living behind a fence, assisted by friends including a seagull, squirrel, raccoon, and pelican. After humans try to take him, Johannes and his friends reconsider the bison’s confinement and plan a mission to release them. Johannes also wants to see paintings at the park’s museum.All readersLexile Text Measure 790LATOS Book Level 5.3View book details
Newbery Honor BookEagle DrumsNasuġraq Rainey HopsonPiŋa, a young Iñupiaq hunter, journeys up a mountain to gather obsidian for spearheads, as his older brothers once did without returning. A golden eagle transforms into Savik, an eagle god, and forces Piŋa toward the eagle community. There, Mother Eagle teaches him lessons in dancing, singing, storytelling, and the natural world. Piŋa must succeed to survive and eventually returns to help prepare a celebration.All readersLexile Text Measure 910LATOS Book Level 5.9View book details
Newbery Honor BookElf Dog and Owl HeadM.T. AndersonDuring an online school year in the pandemic, Clay dreads a summer spent with his tense family. In nearby woods, he meets Elphinore, a white elf-hound left behind after the Royal Hunt returned to the People Under the Mountain. Walking with her exposes Clay to other worlds, including the Owl People. He befriends Amos, an Owl Head boy, while his sisters DiRossi and Juniper later join the encounters.All readersLexile Text Measure 660LATOS Book Level 4.3View book details
Newbery Honor BookMexikid: A Graphic MemoirPedro MartínPedro Martín’s graphic memoir recalls growing up as one of nine children in a Mexican American family during the 1970s. One summer, the family travels 2,000 miles from California to Pegueros, his parents’ hometown in Mexico, to bring Abuelito home to live with them. Pedro, the first child in the family born in the United States, feels more American than Mexican, while his older siblings remember Mexico and tease the younger children. The journey brings family history, sibling dynamics, and questions of cultural belonging into view.All readersLexile Text Measure HL530LATOS Book Level 3.5View book details
Newbery Honor BookSimon Sort of SaysErin BowSimon O’Keeffe and his family move from Omaha to Grin and Bear It, Nebraska, after he survives a school shooting. The town lies in the National Quiet Zone, where internet, Wi-Fi, phones, radios, and other interfering signals are prohibited so scientists can listen for radio signals from space. Simon hopes the move will free him from media attention. At his new school, he befriends Kevin and Agate; together they plan to send fake alien signals to help scientists facing lost funding. When Simon’s past becomes known, he experiences renewed panic attacks and anxiety.All readersLexile Text Measure 811LATOS Book Level 5.2View book details
Newbery Honor BookThe Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of DreamsDaniel NayeriAlong the Silk Road in the late eleventh century, orphaned Omar travels with Samir, a merchant whose schemes have left him with many enemies. The caravan crosses the Taklamakan Desert as assassins make repeated attempts on Samir’s life. Omar negotiates the value of his help in exchange for freedom, while their journey brings them into contact with raiders, a poisoner, a dervish, and other would-be killers. Omar’s account also reveals his desire to belong and his complicated feelings about Samir.All readersLexile Text Measure 841LATOS Book Level 5.4View book details