And the winner is . . . Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña!

What makes an award-winning children’s story? Each year, the American Library Association chooses the best. It considers all the books published for kids the year before. It gives an award for the children’s book that makes the most important contribution to children’s literature. The award is the John Newbery Medal.

The 2016 winner was surprising. The new Newbery went to a picture book! Usually a chapter book wins the medal.

The judges look for much more than just good pictures. They ask “Why?” Why did the author write the book? Why is the story important for children today? Will it still be important years later?

The judges ask “How?” How did the author tell the story? Every author has a “style.” It’s how he or she uses words. Some use rhymes that soothe. Others make you laugh with silliness. Some words make you feel sad, or worried, or homesick. Others excite you and give you courage. Does the style work with the story that’s being told?

Most years, the winning Newbery book has few or no illustrations. But if a book does have pictures, then the judges look at those too. Do they help tell the story better? Or do the pictures get in the way?

When it all comes together, the judges want a kids’ book that has something excellent about it.

In Last Stop on Market Street, a boy and his grandmother cross the city by bus each week after church. They seem poor. The city seems dirty. But the grandmother gives her grandson riches that money can’t buy. She helps him find beauty in unexpected places. She shows him how to serve others.

Our world is broken by sin. But all people know that there is still beauty. It is given by our beautiful Creator, who loves us. Sometimes we have to look hard to find it.

The judges found beauty in Mr. de la Peña’s book. Do you agree?