Newbery Medal 2018: Complete list of winners

The 2018 Newbery Medal celebrates a book that proves middle-grade fiction can be both deeply funny and genuinely moving. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly claimed the top prize, earning recognition from the American Library Association for its vibrant ensemble cast and pitch-perfect voice. Kelly’s novel follows four interconnected middle schoolers—Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet—as they navigate the particular awkwardness of being caught between childhood and adolescence, all while searching for belonging in a world that often feels too big and too small at once.

What makes Kelly’s win particularly noteworthy is how the book balances humor with real emotional stakes, a combination that resonates with both young readers and the librarians and educators who champion the year’s best children’s literature. The Newbery Medal, awarded annually since 1922 to the most distinguished American children’s book, has long championed stories that speak authentically to the kid experience, and Hello, Universe does exactly that—with warmth, wit, and an understanding that friendship, kindness, and courage matter tremendously, even in the seemingly small dramas of middle school.

The 2018 Newbery Medal winner demonstrates the committee’s continued commitment to recognizing work that balances literary excellence with genuine appeal to young readers. Below, you’ll find the complete list of this year’s winners and honors.

Children’s Literature

• Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly