Newbery Medal 1938: Complete list of winners

The 1938 Newbery Medal went to Kate Seredy for The White Stag, a sweeping historical adventure that captured the American Library Association’s distinguished award for the year’s most outstanding contribution to children’s literature. Seredy’s novel tells the legendary tale of the Hungarian people’s migration from Asia to Europe, following the mystical white stag as a guide through centuries of transformation and triumph. It’s a book that exemplifies what made the Newbery Medal—America’s oldest and most prestigious award for children’s books—so vital to literary culture: the recognition of works that combine imaginative storytelling with genuine artistic merit and the power to inspire young readers.

What makes The White Stag particularly notable in the Newbery Medal’s history is Seredy’s dual mastery of both narrative and illustration. As both author and illustrator, she brought her Hungarian heritage authentically to the page, infusing the epic with cultural specificity that elevated it beyond a simple adventure story. The novel represents an interesting moment in late 1930s children’s literature, when award-winning books were increasingly valued for their ability to transport readers across time and geography while maintaining literary sophistication. Seredy’s work proved that stories rooted in a specific cultural tradition could achieve universal resonance—a principle that continues to shape how the Newbery Medal evaluates children’s literature today.

Below, you’ll find the complete information about this year’s remarkable award winner.

Children’s Literature

• The White Stag by Kate Seredy