Newbery Medal 1990: Complete list of winners

The 1990 Newbery Medal went to Lois Lowry for Number the Stars, a novel that would become one of the most celebrated works in children’s literature. Set during the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II, Lowry’s book follows a young girl named Ellen as she navigates the dangerous landscape of the Holocaust while helping her Jewish best friend escape to safety. What makes this particular Newbery winner so remarkable is its ability to address one of history’s darkest chapters through the eyes of a child, managing to be both deeply serious and emotionally accessible to its young readers.

The Newbery Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature, recognizes works that transcend mere entertainment to offer genuine insight and artistry. Lowry’s win in 1990 cemented her reputation as a master of the young adult novel, a status she would reinforce with future acclaimed works. Number the Stars became a staple of middle school classrooms precisely because it trusts young readers with complex moral questions while never talking down to them—a balance that’s far harder to achieve than it might seem.

Below, explore the full details of this landmark year in children’s literature.

Children’s Literature

• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry