The Story of Mankind

The Story of Mankind was written and illustrated by American journalist, professor, and author Hendrik Willem van Loon and published in 1921. In 1922, it was the first book to be awarded the Newbery Medal for an outstanding contribution to children's literature.

The book "Newbery on the Net" hypes children to want to read the Newbery Award winners. The format is consistent for each book selection: introduction, assignment internet resources, questions, learning advice, conclusion, educator notes with additional websites and books. 21 books are listed in this format: Sarah, Plain and Tall; Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry; Julie of the Wolves; A Gathering of Days; Joyful Noise, Poems for Two Voices; Lincoln A Photobiography; Number the Stars; The View from Saturday;From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Maniac Magee; Missing May; Island of the Blue Dolphins; Dear Mr. Henshaw; M.C. Higgins the Great; Walk Two Moons; The Hero and the Crown; The Door in the Wall; The Midwife's Apprentice; The Westing Game; Out of the Dust; and Newbery sites. The table of contents gives students a chance to choose, and the selections can then be used as independent study or class study. The questions allow flexibility, creativity, and research.