What is the title of the 2004 Newbery Medal winner by Kate DiCamillo?

The 2004 Newbery Medal winner by Kate DiCamillo is The Tale of Despereaux.

Published in 2003, The Tale of Despereaux is a children’s fantasy novel about a small mouse named Despereaux Tilling. Unlike the other mice, Despereaux is fascinated by music, stories, and a human princess named Pea. His unusual courage leads him into danger as he attempts to help rescue the princess from the rats who threaten her kingdom.

The novel is structured as a story about several connected characters, including Despereaux, Princess Pea, the servant girl Miggery Sow, and the rat Roscuro. Its themes include bravery, forgiveness, storytelling, and the possibility that characters can change. Timothy Basil Ering illustrated the original edition.

The award year can cause confusion because the book appeared in 2003 but received the Newbery Medal in 2004. DiCamillo later won the medal again in 2014 for Flora & Ulysses. Because of Winn-Dixie was a 2001 Newbery Honor book, while The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was published later and was not the 2004 medal winner.