Which novel by Tae Keller won the 2021 Newbery Medal?

Which novel by Tae Keller won the 2021 Newbery Medal? The answer is *When You Trap a Tiger*.

Published in 2020, the novel follows Lily, a Korean American girl who moves with her family to care for her ailing halmoni, or grandmother. Korean folklore, especially the traditional tiger figure, becomes central as Lily confronts family secrets, grief, and courage.

The Association for Library Service to Children awarded Keller the 2021 Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The book was praised for blending magical realism with themes of love, loss, identity, and the power of storytelling.

A common mix-up is confusing the Newbery winner with the year the award was announced: the 2021 medal recognized a book published in 2020. *A Wish in the Dark* was a Newbery Honor title, not the medal winner; *We Are Water Protectors* won the 2021 Caldecott Medal.