Carter G. Woodson Award Winning Books

← Back to Main Awards Page
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 2009


Secondary Level Winner
Reaching Out
Secondary Level Honor
When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement (Prime)

When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement (Prime)

by Robert H. Mayer

Middle Level Winner
The Rise of Jim Crow (Drama of African-American History)

The Rise of Jim Crow (Drama of African-American History)

by James Haskins

Middle Level Honor
Booker T. Washington and Education

Booker T. Washington and Education

by John F. Wukovits

Elementary Level Winner
Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

by Nikki Giovanni

Elementary Level Honor
A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

by Gina Capaldi