Newbery Medal 2015: Complete list of winners

Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover claimed the prestigious 2015 Newbery Medal for Children’s Literature, marking a significant moment for verse novels in the award’s storied history. Alexander’s basketball-infused coming-of-age story, told through dynamic free verse, resonated with the American Library Association’s selection committee for its fresh narrative voice and authentic exploration of family, identity, and the pressures young athletes face. The novel follows twin brothers navigating adolescence, their parents’ marriage, and the game they love, all while grappling with the weight of their father’s legacy on the court.

The Newbery Medal, awarded annually since 1922 to recognize the most distinguished American children’s literature published the previous year, continues to shape which books become essential reading in classrooms and libraries across the nation. That a verse novel took top honors reflects the growing recognition that innovative forms and literary experimentation belong at the center of children’s literature conversations. The Crossover proved that young readers hungry for authentic stories about race, family dynamics, and athletic ambition didn’t need traditional prose to find themselves in the pages of a book.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 2015 Newbery Medal honorees and additional award information.

Children’s Literature

• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander