 In 1992 , Shiloh received the John Newbery Medal . The annual award , bestowed by the children 's librarians division of the American Library Association , is given for " the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children " . Shiloh was a dark horse for the award . Ohio State University Professor <unk> Sims Bishop , a member of the 1992 Newbery committee , said in an interview that Shiloh was a " sleeper " that surfaced as a serious contender deep in their debate . After the January 27 , 1992 announcement of Shiloh 's winning the Newbery Medal , Naylor was flooded with numerous phone calls , requests for interviews , and mail . In an April 1992 interview , Naylor said : " Frankly , to go the bathroom , I have had to take the phone off the hook . " The book was also selected as an American Library Association Notable Children 's Book . 
