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

Publication Date: Jan 01, 2001
List Price: $27.93
Format: Hardcover, 64 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Early Reader
ISBN13: 9780766012011
Imprint: Enslow Publishing
Publisher: Enslow Publishing LLC
Parent Company: Enslow Publishing LLC

Read a Description of Multiethnic Teens and Cultural Identity (Hot Issues)


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

    Publication Date: Apr 01, 2001
    List Price: $19.95
    Format: Paperback, 96 pages
    Classification: Nonfiction
    Target Age Group: Middle Grade
    ISBN13: 9780967977102
    Imprint: Pleasant Mountain Press
    Publisher: Pleasant Mountain Press
    Parent Company: Pleasant Mountain Press

    Read a Description of Prince Estabrook, Slave and Soldier


    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

      Publication Date: Mar 01, 2001
      List Price: $26.60
      Format: Hardcover, 128 pages
      Classification: Nonfiction
      Target Age Group: Middle Grade
      ISBN13: 9780766015463
      Imprint: Enslow Publishing
      Publisher: Enslow Publishing LLC
      Parent Company: Enslow Publishing LLC

      Read a Description of Matthew Henson: Co-Discoverer of the North Pole (African-American Biographies (Raintree Paperback))


      Book Description: 
      Book by Litwin, Laura Baskes, Litwin, Luara Baskes

      Honor Book

      Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
      by Katherine E Krohn

        Publication Date: Mar 19, 2001
        List Price: $27.99
        Format: Hardcover, 112 pages
        Classification: Nonfiction
        Target Age Group: Middle Grade
        ISBN13: 9780822549338
        Imprint: Twenty-First Century Books
        Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
        Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group

        Read a Description of Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song


        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

          Publication Date: Jan 01, 2001
          List Price: $22.60
          Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
          Classification: Nonfiction
          Target Age Group: Picture Book
          ISBN13: 9781575054810
          Imprint: Carolrhoda Books
          Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
          Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group

          Read a Description of Children of the Civil Rights Era


          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

            Publication Date: Dec 31, 1999
            List Price: $15.95
            Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
            Classification: Nonfiction
            Target Age Group: Picture Book
            ISBN13: 9780816770090
            Imprint: Troll Communications
            Publisher: Troll Communications
            Parent Company: Troll Communications

            Read a Description of Coming Home: A True Story of Josh Gibson, Baseball’s Greatest Home Run Hitter


            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.