Newbery Medal 1993: Complete list of winners

Cynthia Rylant’s Missing May claimed the 1993 Newbery Medal, a win that cemented Rylant’s position as one of contemporary children’s literature’s most essential voices. The novel, which centers on a young girl named Summer and her grieving Uncle Ob as they navigate loss and memory in rural West Virginia, resonates with readers for its emotional authenticity and lyrical prose—qualities that have made the Newbery Medal such a celebrated marker of excellence in children’s and young adult literature for over a century.

What makes Rylant’s victory particularly striking is the novel’s willingness to treat childhood grief with unflinching honesty. Rather than offering easy comfort, Missing May sits with its characters’ pain and confusion, trusting young readers to meet them there. This approach was notably fresh for a Newbery winner in 1993, reflecting a broader shift in children’s literature toward more nuanced emotional landscapes. The Newbery Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, has always championed works that expand our understanding of what stories for young people can accomplish—and Rylant’s novel exemplifies this mission perfectly.

Children’s Literature

• Missing May by Cynthia Rylant