Newbery Medal 1985: Complete list of winners

Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown claimed the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1985, cementing itself as one of the most significant fantasy novels in children’s literature. McKinley’s lyrical prose and richly imagined world captured the hearts of the Newbery committee, which has been honoring the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature since 1922. This fantasy adventure, centered on a young princess who becomes a dragon-slayer and warrior queen, stood out for its literary merit and its ability to engage young readers with complex themes of courage, identity, and female empowerment—qualities that resonated particularly strongly in the mid-1980s.

The Newbery Medal’s selection of The Hero and the Crown reflects the award’s evolution in recognizing that children’s literature could be both commercially successful and artistically accomplished. McKinley’s work demonstrated that fantasy adventures aimed at young readers could achieve the narrative sophistication and emotional depth that the Newbery committee valued. The novel’s enduring popularity—it remains widely read in schools and beloved by generations of readers—speaks to the quality of the committee’s judgment and the timelessness of McKinley’s storytelling.

Below, you’ll find more details about the 1985 Newbery Medal winner and its significance in the award’s history.

Children’s Literature

• The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley