Newbery Medal 1928: Complete list of winners

The 1928 Newbery Medal awarded its top honor to Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji, a choice that reflected the award’s commitment to celebrating stories with genuine emotional depth and meaningful narratives for young readers. Established just six years earlier in 1922, the Newbery Medal was already solidifying its reputation as the most prestigious award in children’s literature, and Mukerji’s touching account of a World War I pigeon and its young Indian owner demonstrated why the judging committee valued stories that transcended simple adventure tales to explore themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the bonds between humans and animals.

Mukerji’s winning work was particularly significant as it brought an Indian perspective to American children’s literature at a time when such voices were rare in the literary mainstream. The author himself was an Indian-American writer who understood the cultural nuances he wove throughout the narrative, creating a story that felt both exotic and universally relatable to young audiences of the era. With Gay Neck, the 1928 Newbery Medal recognized not just a well-crafted children’s book, but a story that expanded the horizons of what children’s literature could explore and represent.

Below you’ll find the complete details of the 1928 Newbery Medal winner and its significance in the history of this acclaimed award.

Children’s Literature

• Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji