Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present

coretta_scott_kingThe Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults. “… an excellent start on your quest for the best in African-American literature for children.”

csk winner seal
The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.

The award was established in 1969 to recognize authors. In 1979 it was expanded to include a separate award for illustrators. There are now five categories for book awards; Author, Author Honor, Illustrator, Illustrator Honor, and the John Steptoe Award for New Talent.

These awards are given to commemorate the life and work of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her continuing efforts in working for peace and civil rights issues. In 2015 The Coretta Scott King Awards became part of the Youth Media Awards. Here is a printable list of all the award winning books.

You may learn more, about this award, at the American Library Association’s website. Also check out our list of Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books, some are also CSK Award winning titles.

6 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 1979


Click for a larger image of Escape To Freedom: A Play About Young Frederick Douglass (Puffin books)

Escape To Freedom: A Play About Young Frederick Douglass (Puffin books)
by Ossie Davis

Publication Date: Jan 01, 1976
List Price: $5.99
Format: Paperback, 96 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780140343557
Imprint: Puffin Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of Benjamin Banneker: Genius of Early America

Benjamin Banneker: Genius of Early America
by Lillie Patterson

Publication Date: Mar 01, 1978
List Price: $1.00
Format: Hardcover, 142 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780687029006
Imprint: Abingdon Press
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Parent Company: Abingdon Press

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Click for a larger image of I Have a Sister—My Sister Is Deaf

I Have a Sister—My Sister Is Deaf
by Jeanne Whitehouse Peterson

Publication Date: May 23, 1984
List Price: $6.99
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780064430593
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

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Click for a larger image of Justice and Her Brothers

Justice and Her Brothers
by Virginia Hamilton

Publication Date: Sep 01, 1981
List Price: $1.95
Format: Paperback, 217 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780380561193
Imprint: Avon Books (Mm)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

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Click for a larger image of Skates of Uncle Richard

Skates of Uncle Richard
by Carol Fenner

Publication Date: Oct 17, 1990
List Price: $2.95
Format: Paperback
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780394826059
Imprint: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of Something on My Mind

Something on My Mind
by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Tom Feelings

Publication Date: Jan 01, 1978
List Price: $8.95
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780803782297
Imprint: Dial Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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