The John Newbery Medal honors the author of the year's most outstanding contribution to children's literature. Presented every year since 1922, the Medal is named for 18th-century British bookseller John Newbery. Henrik Van Loon won the first Newbery Medal in 1922 for THE STORY OF MANKIND. Receiving the Newbery Medal virtually guarantees that the winning book will remain in print and on library and bookstore shelves for years to come.

-The winner of the John Newbery Medal is THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate.

-Three Newbery Honor Books were named: SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS by Laura Amy Schlitz, BOMB: The Race to Build --- and Steal --- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin and THREE TIMES LUCKY by Sheila Turnage.