Living Canon

Newbery Medal 2014: Complete list of winners

Kate DiCamillo’s Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures claimed the 2014 Newbery Medal, adding another distinguished honor to the beloved author’s already impressive collection. DiCamillo has long been a fixture in children’s literature, and this whimsical tale of a ten-year-old girl and a squirrel with unexpected superpowers proved once again why the literary establishment continues to recognize her work. The novel’s playful blend of humor, heart, and inventive storytelling—complete with comic-style illustrations woven throughout—resonates with both young readers and the adults who select the year’s most distinguished contributions to American children’s literature.

The Newbery Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association since 1922, remains one of the most prestigious recognitions in children’s publishing. It celebrates the most outstanding contributions to American literature for children, and winning the medal typically sends a book into the consciousness of educators, librarians, and parents nationwide. DiCamillo’s victory represents the kind of imaginative, character-driven storytelling that has come to define the award in recent years—work that doesn’t talk down to its young audience but instead invites them into richly detailed worlds.

Below you’ll find complete details about the 2014 Newbery Medal honoree and other notable recognitions from that year’s selection process.

Children’s Literature