The Newbery Medal is an annual award presented by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”. The medal is named after eighteenth-century British publisher John Newbery. It is considered the first children’s book award in the world.

The Newbery Medal is the top award given annually, while Newbery Honor Books are distinguished books highly regarded by the association.