Carter G. Woodson Award Winning Books

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.

Carter G. Woodson Seal

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.” Books relating to ethnic minorities and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers. Here is a printable list of all the award winning books. 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.

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6 Award Winning and Honored Books for 1993

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Secondary Level Winner

Book Description: 
A two-part chronicle of the history of African Americans in Mississippi documents the slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction eras, as well as the civil rights movement of the 1960s, including the Freedom Summer, the murder of three civil rights workers, and more.

Outstanding Merit

Book Description: 
In How My Family Lives in America, author-photographer Susan Kuklin zeroes in on the source of cultural identity: the family. Meet: Sanu, who is learning how to braid her hair and to cook the same African meal her father makes. Eric, who loves to play baseball with his dad and to dance the merengue with his friends and family. April, who works hard on her Chinese writing and tries to keep up with her family’s challenging games. Their stories emphasize the seemingly minor and everyday ways heritage is transmitted: stories, songs, games, language, special occasions. They show the importance of choice and adaptation in forging a cultural identity. And they provoke readers to examine their own families — what makes them the same, what makes them distinct, and how this uniqueness is celebrated.

Outstanding Merit

Book Description: 
A study of the Montgomery bus boycott reveals how one woman, who refused to give up her bus seat on a cold day in 1955, sparked the nonviolent civil rights movement in the South that eventually ended segregation.

Outstanding Merit

Book Description: 
A Vietnamese American boy describes the daily activities of his family in San Rafael, California, and the traditional culture and customs that shape their lives.

Outstanding Merit

Book Description: 
Examines the life and accomplishments of the first black judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

Elementary Award

Book Description: 
”Don’t wait for opportunities to come … get up and make them!” said Madam C. J. Walker. She rose from laundry woman to become America’s first black woman millionaire. Born in poverty, Walker set her sights on a better life and made her fortune by developing hair care and beauty products specially formulated for African Americans. As her wealth and influence grew, she also channeled her energies into working for civil rights and social change. This real-life rags-to-riches story comes to life in an engaging narrative by the McKissacks.