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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8 Award Winning and Honored Books for 1997

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Secondary Level Winner

Book Description: 
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY COMES TO LIFE Discover why young people all over the country are reading the Black Stars biographies of African American heroes. Here is what you want to know about the lives of great black men and women during the fabulous Harlem Renaissance: louis “satchmo” armstrong eubie blake thomas andrew dorsey w. e. b. du bois duke ellington james reese europe jessie redmon fauset marcus garvey w. c. handy fletcher henderson langston hughes zora neale hurston hall johnson henry johnson oscar micheaux philip payton jr. gertrude “ma” rainey paul robeson augusta savage noble sissle bessie smith james van der zee dorothy west carter g. woodson “The books in the Black Stars series are the types of books that would have really captivated me as a kid.” -Earl G. Graves, Black Enterprise magazine “Inspiring stories that demonstrate what can happen when ingenuity and tenacity are paired with courage and hard work.” -Black Books Galore! Guide to Great African American Children’s Books “Haskins has chosen his subjects well … catching a sense of the enormous obstacles they had to overcome… . Some names are familiar, but most are little-known whom Haskins elevates to their rightful place in history.” -Booklist “The broad coverage makes this an unusual resource-a jumping-off point for deeper studies.” -Horn Book

Honor Book

Book Description: 
Drawing on the experiences of generations of Japanese immigrants—revealed in diaries, letters, interviews, newspaper and magazine articles, and personal reflections—a book filled with photographs tells what it was like to leave a beloved homeland for a new life. UP.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
The story of the pioneering African American aviators who battled prejudice at home to become fighter pilots during World War II in the 99th fighter Squadron

Honor Book

Book Description: 
A biography of the Oglala leader who relentlessly resisted the white man’s attempt to take over Indian lands.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
The diary of a third-grade class of Japanese-American children being held with their families in an internment camp during World War II.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
Presents the history, traditions, and significance of Hanukkah as it is celebrated by a Jewish family in San Francisco.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
Portrays the life of this multi-faceted African-American poet, author, and educator.

Elementary Award

Book Description: 
Every year, Muslims all over the world celebrate the coming of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. It was during that month, 14 centuries ago, that Allah first began revealing the holy book of Islam, the Quran, to Muhammed. Ghazi’s clear and informative description of one boy’s celebration of Ramadan is skillfully brought to life by Omar Rayyan’s warm and joyful illustration.