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 2016


Secondary Level Winner
Passenger on the Pearl: The True Story of Emily Edmonson’s Flight from Slavery

Passenger on the Pearl: The True Story of Emily Edmonson’s Flight from Slavery

by Winifred Conkling

Secondary Level Honor
Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People

Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People

by S.D. Nelson

Secondary Level Honor
Shadow Catcher: How Edward S. Curtis Documented American Indian Dignity and Beauty (Captured History)

Shadow Catcher: How Edward S. Curtis Documented American Indian Dignity and Beauty (Captured History)

by Michael Burgan

Elementary Level Winner
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton
Elementary Level Winner
The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch

by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate

Elementary Level Honor
Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama

Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama

by Hester Bass, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis