Newbery Medal 1922: Complete list of winners

The 1922 Newbery Medal marked a pivotal moment in children’s literature—the very first year this now-prestigious award recognized excellence in books written for young audiences. Established by the American Library Association, the Newbery Medal would go on to become one of the most coveted honors in publishing, but that inaugural year belonged to Hendrik Willem van Loon’s The Story of Mankind. Van Loon’s sweeping narrative history captured the imaginations of young readers by making the grand arc of human civilization accessible and engaging, proving that children’s literature could be both educational and genuinely entertaining. The book’s success signaled something important to the publishing world: that stories for young people deserved serious critical attention and artistic achievement.

The Story of Mankind was far from a dry textbook—van Loon brought wit, vivid storytelling, and a genuine enthusiasm for human progress to his account of civilization, from ancient times through the early twentieth century. The book became an immediate classic, and its Newbery Medal win established a template for what the award would celebrate: literature that not only entertained children but expanded their understanding of the world. As the award continued year after year, the 1922 Newbery Medal winner would remain a touchstone, a reminder that the first honoree set an exceptionally high bar for narrative nonfiction aimed at young readers.

Children’s Literature

• The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon