Jack Gontos’ ‘Dead End in Norvelt’ wins Newbery Medal

The winners of the John Newbery Medal and the Randolph Caldecott award were announced Monday morning by the American Literary Association. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gontos won the Newbery, while Chris Raschka's A Ball for Daisy won the Caldecott.

According to The New York Times, Gantos’ novel won the prestigious award for its contribution to children’s literature in 2011. Dead End in Norvelt is a dark, comic tale centering on a boy whose parents ground him, forcing him to write obituaries for a neighbor.

The Associated Press reports that A Ball for Daisy won the Caldecott for best illustrated story. Raschka’s book tells the story of a dog whose favorite toy is destroyed, according to the AP.

Gantos had been a finalist for the Newbery before, while Rashcka won his first Caldecott back in 2006 for his book, The Hello, Goodbye Window.

The American Literary Association, which announced the awards in Dallas, handed out a total of 18 awards. Two awards are named in honor of Coretta Scott King, which both recognize an African American author and illustrator for their work in children’s literature, according to Media Bistro. Kadir Nelson won the Coretta Scott King author award for Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. The illustrator award went to Shane W. Evans’ Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom. The Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement was awarded to author Ashley Bryan, who was the first African American to both write and illustrate a children’s book.

The Nebury Medal has been awarded since the early 1920s. After a book wins the award, it is typically republished with a metallic medal on the cover.