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Directions: Read the article. Write the main idea. Then fill in the bubbles to answer the questions.Reading Comprehension • Saddleback Educational Publishing ©2002 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618•Phone (888)SDL-BACK•www.sdlback.com
- What award is given to a distinguished
author of children’s literature?
O Newbery Medal
O Caldecott Medal - Who established the Newbery Award?
O John Newbery
O Frederic G. Melcher - How often is the Newbery Medal awarded?
O once a year
O twice a year - If the award was given in the year 1998, in
what year was the book published?
O 1998
O 1997
An Honor
The Newbery Medal is an award given annually by The American Library Association to
an author for the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature published in
the preceding year. The award is named after John Newbery, an English publisher and
bookseller, who, in the 1700s, was among the first to put children’s books in print.
The Newbery Award was established in 1921 by Frederic G. Melcher, then chairman of
the board of the Library Journaland Publisher’s Weekly. Mr. Melcher also established the
Caldecott Medal, a similar award recognizing an outstanding illustrator of children’s
books.
You probably recognize or have read some Newbery award winners—old and new—such
as Carol Ryrie Brink’s Caddie Woodlawn (1936), Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time
(1963), Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH(1972), Patricia MacLachlan’s
Sarah, Plain and Tall(1986) or even the 2001 winner, Richard Peck’s A Year Down Yonder.- What are the Library Journaland
Publisher’s Weekly?
O books
O magazines - Who awards the Newbery Medal?
O American Library Association
O Frederic G. Melcher - Where did children’s books first appear
in print?
O England
O United States - The Caldecott Medal is awarded to an
outstanding
O writer
O artist
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