Living Canon

Newbery Medal 1937: Complete list of winners

Ruth Sawyer’s Roller Skates claimed the 1937 Newbery Medal, the prestigious annual award recognizing the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature. Established in 1922, the Newbery Medal had by the late 1930s become the gold standard for identifying exceptional children’s books, and Sawyer’s vivid novel about a young girl’s adventures skating through turn-of-the-century New York City captured the judges’ hearts. The book’s spirited protagonist and richly detailed urban setting offered children something genuinely fresh—a story that honored their capacity for independence and wonder while grounding readers in a meticulously rendered historical moment.

Sawyer, an accomplished author and storyteller with deep roots in children’s literature, brought her characteristic warmth and observational skill to Roller Skates. The novel’s selection reflected the Newbery Medal’s evolving taste during this era, one that increasingly valued books celebrating American settings and characters while maintaining literary quality. As the children’s book world continued to professionalize and establish clearer standards for excellence, awards like the Newbery Medal served as crucial gatekeepers—and Roller Skates stands as a worthy example of why Sawyer’s work endured in the canon.

Here’s the complete list of distinguished books recognized at the 1937 Newbery Medal ceremony:

Children’s Literature