Which Armstrong Sperry novel won the 1941 Newbery Medal?

Which Armstrong Sperry novel won the 1941 Newbery Medal? The answer is Call It Courage.

Published in 1940, the novel follows Mafatu, the son of a Polynesian chief, who is ashamed of his fear of the sea after witnessing his mother’s death. He sets out alone in a canoe, survives a storm and shipwreck, and must build the skills and confidence needed to return home. His companions include Uri, a small dog, and Kivi, an albatross.

The book is a survival and coming-of-age story, with courage shown as something developed through action rather than a trait a hero already possesses. Sperry wrote and illustrated the original edition. In the United Kingdom, it was published under the title The Boy Who Was Afraid, which can cause confusion when readers search for the award record. The Newbery Medal was awarded in 1941 for the preceding year’s publication.