Newbery Medal 1973: Complete list of winners

Jean Craighead George claimed the 1973 Newbery Medal for Julie of the Wolves, a stunning feat of storytelling that transported young readers into the frozen expanses of Alaska alongside a resilient teenage protagonist. The novel became an instant classic, celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of a girl navigating both the wilderness and her own complicated identity. George’s meticulous research and lyrical prose brought the Arctic landscape to vivid life, making readers feel the cold, hear the wolves, and understand Julie’s profound connection to the natural world in ways that transcended typical juvenile fiction of the era.

The 1973 Newbery Medal winner arrived at a pivotal moment for children’s literature, when the award was increasingly recognizing works that didn’t shy away from complex themes or sophisticated storytelling. Julie of the Wolves proved that young readers were hungry for authentic narratives that treated them as intelligent beings capable of grappling with survival, belonging, and self-discovery. The book’s success helped establish a new standard for what the Newbery Medal could honor—work that achieved literary merit without condescension, adventure without oversimplification.

This recognition remains one of the most significant in George’s celebrated career and continues to draw new generations of readers into Julie’s harrowing and transformative journey. Here are the complete details of this memorable year in Newbery Medal history:

Children’s Literature

• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George