Today the Aurora Hills Branch Library is celebrating the Birthday of John Newbery!

Newbery, born July 19, 1713, was an 18th-century bookseller who is commonly believed to be the originator of books for children – designed to give real pleasure as well as instruction. The Newbery Medal, which bears his name, is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year.

This year’s winner was Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me, a story about 12 year old Miranda who is trying to navigate a cleverly constructed plot with shifting friendships, mysterious notes that seem to predict the future, and a strange homeless man.

Check out some of the past Newbery winners too – none of them disappoint!