Carter G. Woodson Award Winning Books

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Carter Woodson Award Seal
Carter G. Woodson Seal

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.

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.” Here is a printable list of all the award winning books and a collage of all the award winning titles. 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 2008


Secondary Level Winner
Don’t Throw Away Your Stick Till You Cross the River: The Journey of an Ordinary Man

Don’t Throw Away Your Stick Till You Cross the River: The Journey of an Ordinary Man

by Vincent Collin Beach and Anni Beach

Secondary Level Honor
United States V. Amistad: Slave Ship Mutiny (Supreme Court Milestones)

United States V. Amistad: Slave Ship Mutiny (Supreme Court Milestones)

by Susan Dudley Gold

Middle Level Winner
Black and White Airmen: Their True History

Black and White Airmen: Their True History

by John Fleischman

Middle Level Honor
Sophisticated Ladies: the Great Women of Jazz

Sophisticated Ladies: the Great Women of Jazz

by Leslie Gourse

Elementary Level Honor
Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku

Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku

by Ellie Crowe

Elementary Award
Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

by Bill Wise