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 2006


Secondary Level Winner

No Easy Answers: Bayard Rustin And The Civil Rights Movement
by Calvin Craig Miller

Morgan Reynolds Publishing (Jan 30, 2005)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 160 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Book Description: 
Looks at the life of Bayard Rustin, an organizer behind the scenes of the civil rights movement whose ideas influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. Title: No Easy Answers Author: Miller, Calvin Craig Morgan Reynolds Pub 2005/01/30 Number of 160 Binding Type: LIBRARY Library of Congress: 2004018518

Secondary Level Honor

Uh Huh!: The Story Of Ray Charles (Modern Music Masters)
by John Duggle

    List Price: $28.95
    Morgan Reynolds Publishing (Aug 30, 2005)
    Nonfiction, Hardcover, 160 pages
    Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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    Book Description: 
    Book by Duggleby, John

    Middle Level Winner

    Cesar Chavez: A Voice for Farmworkers (Latino Biography Library)
    by Barbara C. Cruz

      List Price: $31.93
      Enslow Publishing (Nov 01, 2005)
      Nonfiction, Hardcover, 128 pages
      Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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      Book Description: 
      Book by Cruz, Barbara C.

      Middle Level Honor

      Roberto Clemente: Baseball’s Humanitarian Hero (Trailblazer Biographies)
      by Heron Marquez

        List Price: $31.93
        Carolrhoda Books (May 01, 2005)
        Nonfiction, Hardcover, 112 pages
        Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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        Book Description: 
        Book by Marquez, Heron

        Elementary Level Honor

        Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates
        by Jonah Winter

          List Price: $17.99
          Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Mar 01, 2005)
          Nonfiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
          Target Age Group: Picture Book
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          Book Description: 
          On an island called Puerto Rico, there lived a little boy who wanted only to play baseball. Although he had no money, Roberto Clemente practiced and practiced until—eventually—he made it to the Major Leagues. America! As a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he fought tough opponents—and even tougher racism—but with his unreal catches and swift feet, he earned his nickname, “The Great One.” He led the Pirates to two World Series, hit 3,000 hits, and was the first Latino to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But it wasn’t just baseball that made Clemente legendary—he was was also a humanitarian dedicated to improving the lives of others.

          Elementary Award

          Let Them Play (True Story)
          by Margot Theis Raven and Chris Ellison

            List Price: $16.95
            Sleeping Bear Press (Jun 16, 2005)
            Nonfiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
            Target Age Group: Picture Book
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            Book Description: 
            Segregated Charleston, SC, 1955: There are 62 official Little League programs in South Carolina — all but one of the leagues is composed entirely of white players. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, an all-black team, is formed in the hopes of playing in the state’s annual Little League Tournament. What should have been a time of enjoyment, however, turns sour when all of the other leagues refuse to play against them and even pull out of the program. As the only remaining Little League team in the state, Cannon Street was named state winner by default, giving the boys a legitimate spot in the Little League Baseball World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While the Cannon Street team is invited to the game as guests, they are not allowed to participate since they have not officially “played” and won their state’s tournament. Let Them Play takes its name from the chant shouted by the spectators who attended the World Series final. Author Margot Theis Raven recounts the inspiring tales of the Cannon Street All-Stars as they arrived in Williamsport, PA and never got the chance to play for the title thanks to the bigotry and ignorance of the South Carolina teams. Winning by forfeit, the Cannon Streeters were subsequently not allowed to participate in Williamsburg because they had not “played” their way into the tournament. Let Them Play is an important civil rights story in American history with an even more important message about equality and tolerance. It’s a tale of humanity against the backdrop of America’s favorite pastime that’s sure to please fans of the sport and mankind. This summer will mark the 50th year since the fans’ shouts of Let Them Play fell on deaf ears and 14 boys learned a cruel lesson in backwards politics and prejudice. This book can help teach us a new lesson and assure something like this never happens again.