Newbery Award Winners
 Author Study Project

TimelineEvaluation

Select a Newbery winning author that interests you.
Read through ALL of the task directions BEFORE you begin.  Some of the tasks in this project are very similar and overlap.

Your First Task  

Click here to print out the important questions (in pdf format) 
that you should be able to answer about the Newbery Medal.
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

  • Think about the 6 criteria used for selecting a book for the Newbery Medal ... Then, as you read, write down any ideas you have about why your book was chosen.  Support your opinion(s) with specific examples from the text of the book, relating your reasons to the 6 criteria.

  • If after reading, it surprised you that your book was chosen to receive the medal, give three reasons why you think the book does not fit the 6 criteria for selection as a Newbery Medal Award winner.

 

Now, begin reading the book the author won the medal for.

Your Second Task 

  • Write a book review for the Newbery book (AND the other titles you read) by the author you chose.  You will want to include a brief summary, give your opinion(s) of the characters, plot, etc. 

  • Be sure to mention your recommendations for the books ... Would you tell another reader to read the books? WHY or WHY NOT?  

  • If you need help with how to write a book review visit Scholastic's Write a Book Review with Rodman Philbrick page. 

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Your Third Task 

  • Next you will need to show your understandings of the Newbery book.

Click here to print out the essential questions (in pdf format) 
that you need to answer.  
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.) 

Your Fourth Task  

Your Fifth Task

  • Look at the second page of the pdf file with the essential questions ~ chose 1 of the creative projects to complete on the Newbery Title you just read. 
    Click here to print out the creative project options (in pdf format). 

Your Sixth Task  

  • Now you need to read 3 other titles by the same author.

  • Think back to your first task, and compare the Newbery title with the other 4 books you read by the same author.

  • Were any of the other titles Newbery or Newbery Honor books?  WHY or WHY NOT?

  • Write your opinion about this and include it as part of your book reviews (see second task).

Your Final Task

Now for the creative part ... you are to create a PowerPoint presentation and/or web site about this author using all the information you have collected about their life, writing style, titles, your opinions and recommendations you've made.

You might also want to include:

  • Some things you've learned about how your author became a writer.  

  • Writing tips you've learned from your author. Does the writer specialize in a genre that would attract kids who have special interests...like sports, mysteries, etc? 

  • Feature a sample of writing from the author that you think is one that is his or her very best - an example of a great writing skill. Maybe it will include an example of characterization, or descriptive writing, or developing the setting, or great figurative language...

Click here to see our projects!

Your Final Question

  • What would you like to work on in your own writing?  Did completing this project help you look at your writing differently?  Explain in writing.

Timeline            Evaluation