Who was John Newbery? |
The Real Newbery Committee |
John Newbery (1713-1767) was an English publisher. He was one of the first to publish books for children. He is best known for publishing A Little Pretty Pocket-Book and Little Goody Two-Shoes. It wasn't until 1922 that Frederic G. Melcher proposed the Newbery Medal in his honor. Since then, the most distinguished book is awarded the medal each year.
Source: Encyclopaedia Brittanica |
Each year, 15 committee members are chosen to decide which book will win the medal. The members are made up of "one chair and six members appointed from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) at large, and 8 members elected by the ALSC membership, serving 2-year terms and led by the committee chair." (ALSC, 2015) The members volunteer to be on the committee.
Source: Association for Library Service to Children The Terms and Criteria |