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 Woodson Award Seal 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.


6 Award Winning and Honored Books for 2002


Secondary Level Winner

Multiethnic Teens and Cultural Identity (Hot Issues)
by Barbara C. Cruz

    List Price: $27.93
    Enslow Publishing (Jan 01, 2001)
    Nonfiction, Hardcover, 64 pages
    Target Age Group: Early Reader
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    Book Description: 
    Discusses the many issues facing teens of multiethnic descent, including discrimination and the search for ethnic identity in an unsympathetic culture.

    Middle Level Winner

    Prince Estabrook, Slave and Soldier
    by Alice Hinkle

      List Price: $19.95
      Pleasant Mountain Press (Apr 01, 2001)
      Nonfiction, Paperback, 96 pages
      Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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      Book Description: 
      The National Council on the Social Studies will present “Prince Estabrook” with the 2002 Carter G. Woodson Book Award (middle school division) at the NCSS annual meeting in Nov. NCSS awards go to the most distinguished social science books depicting ethnicity in the United States appropriate for young people.

      Honor Book

      Matthew Henson: Co-Discoverer of the North Pole (African-American Biographies (Raintree Paperback))
      by Laura Baskes Litwin and Luara Baskes Litwin

        List Price: $26.60
        Enslow Publishing (Mar 01, 2001)
        Nonfiction, Hardcover, 128 pages
        Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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        Book Description: 
        Book by Litwin, Laura Baskes, Litwin, Luara Baskes

        Honor Book

        Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
        by Katherine E. Krohn

          List Price: $27.99
          Twenty-First Century Books (Mar 19, 2001)
          Nonfiction, Hardcover, 112 pages
          Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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          Book Description: 
          These informative and inspiring biographies will give young readers a look at the lives of some of the world’s most influential people in history. Each over 100 pages, the books are also ideal for reports.

          Honor Book

          Children of the Civil Rights Era
          by Catherine A. Welch

            List Price: $22.60
            Carolrhoda Books (Jan 01, 2001)
            Nonfiction, Hardcover, 48 pages
            Target Age Group: Picture Book
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            Book Description: 
            Recounts the courageous involvement of many young people who marched, protested, were arrested, and risked their lives to end racial discrimination in the South during the 1950s and 1960s.

            Elementary Award

            Coming Home: A True Story of Josh Gibson, Baseball’s Greatest Home Run Hitter
            by Nanette Mellage, Cornelius Van Wright, and Ying-Hwa Hu

              List Price: $15.95
              Troll Communications (Dec 31, 1999)
              Nonfiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
              Target Age Group: Picture Book
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              Book Description: 
              He hit more home runs than Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron. He was the best in the game, yet he was never allowed to play in the Major Leagues. And he died just four months before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. His name was Josh Gibson, and Coming Home is his incredible story. This beautifully illustrated tribute to baseball’s greatest home run hitter is the first picture book every published about Josh Gibson.