Portland-raised author Renée Watson can now add the prestigious Newbery Medal to her list of accolades.
On Jan. 26, the American Library Association awarded Watson’s book All the Blues in the Sky the 2026 John Newbery Medal, which goes to “the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.” All the Blues in the Sky is a young adult novel written in verse and vignettes about 13-year-old Sage grieving the death of her best friend. It was published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in February 2025.
All the Blues in the Sky takes place in Harlem, N.Y., where Watson lives half-time, alternating with her hometown of Portland. Her books center the experiences of Black girls and women and are often inspired by her experiences growing up in the Portland. Watson graduated from Jefferson High School in 1996…