Which Robert Lawson novel won the 1945 Newbery Medal?

Which Robert Lawson novel won the 1945 Newbery Medal? The answer is Rabbit Hill.

Rabbit Hill is an animal fantasy about a community of creatures watching a new human family move into a nearby house. The animals wonder what the newcomers will bring, especially whether food, safety, and opportunity will follow. Robert Lawson gives the animals distinct personalities while using their concerns to explore community, hope, prejudice, and change.

The novel was published by Viking and won the 1945 Newbery Medal. Its animal society reflects human social behavior, but the story remains accessible as a lively tale about neighbors responding to unfamiliar arrivals. The title refers to the hill where the animal community lives, not to a real-life historical location.

A major source of confusion is Lawson’s They Were Strong and Good, which won the 1941 Caldecott Medal for illustration. Ben and Me and The Tough Winter are also Lawson titles, but neither won the 1945 Newbery Medal. Rabbit Hill is the single Newbery winner associated with that year.