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 1999

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Secondary Level Winner

Book Description: 
Edmonia Lewis endured prejudice throughout her life from those who saw her as a savage native or a poor, uneducated black woman. Undaunted she worked on—and the statues she produced today salute important events in American history. Of two cultures, Chippewa, African American, Edmonia Lewis was orphaned at nine. With her brother paying the tuition she entered Oberlin College in Ohio, to attend preparatory courses (at age 15) where she took courses in Botany, Algebra, Composition, Rhetorical Literature and Bible Study. During this time her talent for drawing emerged. Edmonia Lewis created The Death of Cleopatra in 1876 for America’s First Centennial celebration. After this 3,015 pound sculpture was stored, it eventually reappeared in a Chicago saloon in 1892. Later, it became the headstone for a race horse named Cleopatra and then weathered several other adventures before it surfaced again in 1996. Today it can be seen at the National Museum of American Art (Smithsonian). Written from over 60 sources and after extensive research, Edmonia Lewis: Wildfire In Marble is the first book on Edmonia’s life. With faith in her ideals, Edmonia honored former slaves, the cause of freedom, and the nation’s courageous men and women who pushed to obtain human rights for everyone. Her statues express her deep gratitude for the gift of life. A woman ahead of her time, Edmonia Lewis was the first African American-Chippewa artist to receive international recognition and support herself through her art. EXCERPT: Forever Free was the first statue of an African American family. Again Edmonia’s kneeling slave woman is thanking God for her delivery from bondage. The man stands tall. A broken chain is wrapped around his upraised forearm. His other arm comforts the woman. The man’s pose is similar to that of a Greek sculpture (Laocoon) in the Vatican Museum. The woman’s pose was inspired by an abolitionist emblem entitled “Am I not a woman and a sister?” The couple seem dazed, as though not totally understanding that the Emancipation Proclamation had declared them forever free. Surprisingly, except for the man’s thick, curly hair, the couple did not resemble African Americans. A few critics thought their limbs awkward and not well proportioned. This statue indicated changes to come in neoclassical sculpture. Sometimes Edmonia hired stonecutters to help produce her larger figures. She borrowed $800 to have Forever Free figures executed in marble. Then she shipped the statue, along with the bills for materials and shipping costs, to the abolitionist lawyer Samuel E. Sewall in Boston. The statue’s unexpected arrival shocked the abolitionists. Although Sewall had not commissioned, or given an order for the work, he paid a customs duty of $200 to prevent its being auctioned off. In a letter to Maria Weston Chapman, aide to William Lloyd Garrison, on February 5, 1867, Edmonia wrote: “I will not take anything for my labor. Mr. Garrison has given his whole life for my father’s people and I think I might give him a few months [of my] work.”

Honor Book

Book Description: 
Features photographs and biographies of thirteen African-American women, including Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, and Alice Walker.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
A brief biography of Oseola McCarty, a hard-working washer woman who, without a formal education herself, donated a portion of her life savings to the University of Southern Mississippi to endow a scholarship fund for needy students.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
A Chinese-American boy’s family observes a cherished tradition.

Honor Book

Book Description: 
Discusses the course of Japanese immigration into the United States, events leading to the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the conditions they faced in the internment camps.

Elementary Award

Book Description: 
The paintings of Jacob Lawrence tell stories. Stories of enslavement and freedom, of human migration and renaissance, of struggle and of triumph. A collection of these stunning paintings provides the backdrop for this exceptional biography which tells the story of one of our finest living painters-from his family’s experience in the great migration North, to his growing up in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, to his rise as one of the most renowned painters of African American life. With over twenty-five full-color reproductions and an insightful glossary, not only is this an easy-to-read, engaging biography, it’s also an excellent starting point for discussions about American history. Awards and honors for Story Painter: 1998 CCBC Choices, Biography/Autobiography 1999 IRA/CBC Notable Trade Books—Social Studies 1999 Carter G. Woodson Award 1999 Parents’ Guide/Children’s Media award, non-fiction category Publishers Weekly, starred review Smithsonian Notable Award Parent Council Ltd. - Gold