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.

7 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 1980


Click for a larger image of The Young Landlords

The Young Landlords
by Walter Dean Myers

Publication Date: Jan 01, 1979
List Price: $6.99
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780140342444
Imprint: Puffin Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann


Click for a larger image of Andrew Young, Man With a Mission

Andrew Young, Man With a Mission
by James Haskins

Publication Date: Apr 01, 1979
List Price: $11.75
Format: Hardcover, 192 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780688418960
Imprint: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp


Click for a larger image of Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir

Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir
by Eloise Greenfield and Lessie Jones Little

Publication Date: Jan 30, 1993
List Price: $9.99
Format: Paperback, 192 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780064461344
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp


Click for a larger image of James Van Derzee: The Picture Takin’ Man

James Van Derzee: The Picture Takin’ Man
by James Haskins

Publication Date: Jun 01, 1991
List Price: $21.95
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780865432611
Imprint: Africa World Press
Publisher: Africa World Press & The Red Sea Press
Parent Company: Africa World Press & The Red Sea Press


Click for a larger image of Let The Lion Eat Straw

Let The Lion Eat Straw
by Ellease Southerland

Publication Date: Jun 28, 2005
List Price: $13.99
Format: Paperback, 171 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780060724214
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

Read Our Review of Let The Lion Eat Straw



Click for a larger image of Movin’ Up, Pop Gordy Tells His Story

Movin’ Up, Pop Gordy Tells His Story
by Berry Gordy

Publication Date: Oct 01, 1979
List Price: $12.50
Format: Hardcover, 144 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780060220532
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp


Click for a larger image of Cornrows

Cornrows
by Camille Yarbrough, Illustrated by Carole Byard

Paperback Unavailable for Sale from AALBC
(Check with Amazon  )


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Publication Date: Jan 27, 1997
List Price: Unavailable
Format: Paperback, 48 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780698114364
Imprint: Puffin Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann