Which author received five Newbery Honors without ever winning the Medal?

Laura Ingalls Wilder received five Newbery Honors without ever winning the Medal.

Wilder’s five Honor citations recognized books from her Little House series: Little House in the Big Woods, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The Long Winter, and The Little Town on the Prairie-era selections listed by the award’s historical records. The Honors reflected the committee’s recognition of her contribution even though none of her books took the top Medal.

The Newbery Honor was historically described as a runner-up citation; the official “Honor” terminology was adopted later. Thus, older references may call Wilder’s books Newbery runners-up rather than Newbery Honor Books.

Wilder is also associated with a different ALA lifetime-achievement award. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, first presented in 1954, honored her lasting contribution to children’s literature and should not be confused with her five Newbery Honors.