from The New Haven Register, June 29, 1941
At the sixty-third annual conference of the American Library Association, held
in Cambridge, Mass., last week, Armstrong Sperry, a former New Havener now living
in New Canaasm was awarded the John Newberry [sic] Medal for the year's most distinguished
contribution to American literature for children. Sperry's prize-winning book, "Call
it Courage," is the story of [sic] small Polynesian village and the way in which
its inhabitants pick up the threads of their lives again after a disastrous hurricane
sweeps over the island*. The book was illustrated by the author who, before he became
a teller of children's stories several years ago, was noted for his juvenile illustrations.
Sperry was born in New Haven and received his education at the Stanford Preparatory
School, the Yale Art School, and the Art Students League. He spent some time studying
art in Paris. He is married and has a seven year old daughter. His mother, Mrs. Cereno
C. Sperry**, and his brothers, Paul A. and S.C. Sperry Jr., still reside in New Haven.
The Newbery Medal which Sperry received was orginated in 1921 by John Melcher, publisher
of children's books, and it has been awarded each year for the past two decades to
the author of the outstanding children's book of the year. It honors john Newberry,
18th century English publisher of juvenile stories. Besides "Call It Courage"
Armstrong Sperry has written several several other books including: "All Sail
Set," "One Day with Jambi in Sumatra," One Day with Manu," "One
Day with Tuktu," "Little Eagle," "Wagons Westward," and
"Lost Lagoon."