Carter G. Woodson Award Winning Books

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Carter Woodson Award Seal
Carter G. Woodson Seal

As of 2001 awards and honors are given in the following categories: Elementary (K-6), Middle (5-8), and Secondary (7-12) grade level books.

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Here is a printable list of all the award winning books and a collage of all the award winning titles. Learn more at NCSS’s website.

Also check out our list of Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books, some are also CSK Award winning titles.

6 Award Winning and Honored Books for 1991


Secondary Level Winner
Sorrow’s Kitchen: The Life and Folklore of Zora Neale Hurston

Sorrow’s Kitchen: The Life and Folklore of Zora Neale Hurston

by Mary E. Lyons

Outstanding Merit
Breaking the Chains
Outstanding Merit
W.E.B. Dubois (Impact Biographies Series)
Outstanding Merit
Hector lives in the United States now: The story of a Mexican-American child

Hector lives in the United States now: The story of a Mexican-American child

by Joan Hewett

Outstanding Merit
Teammates
Elementary Award
Shirley Chisholm: Teacher and Congresswoman

Shirley Chisholm: Teacher and Congresswoman

by Catherine Scheader