Newbery Medal 1977: Complete list of winners

The 1977 Newbery Medal recognized a watershed moment in children’s literature, honoring Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor with its highest honor. Taylor’s powerful novel arrived at a crucial juncture in American publishing, offering young readers an unflinching portrait of Black family resilience and dignity during the Jim Crow South. The book’s win represented a significant acknowledgment that children’s literature could—and should—grapple with the complexities of racism, injustice, and moral courage with the same artistic ambition expected of adult fiction.

Mildred D. Taylor’s achievement wasn’t merely a milestone for representation, though it certainly was that. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry demonstrated that stories centered on African American experiences could win the most prestigious award in children’s publishing, a validation that reverberated through the industry and the libraries and classrooms where young people encountered literature. The novel’s emotional authenticity and unflinching examination of systemic racism set a new standard for what children’s literature could accomplish, inspiring generations of writers to bring their own authentic voices and perspectives to the field.

Below, you’ll find the complete details of the 1977 Newbery Medal award and its honorees.

Children’s Literature

• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor