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

List Price: $6.99
Puffin Books (Jan 01, 1979)
Fiction, Paperback, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info

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

Andrew Young, Man With a Mission
by James Haskins

List Price: $11.75
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (Apr 01, 1979)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 192 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
More Info

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

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

List Price: $9.99
Amistad (Jan 30, 1993)
Fiction, Paperback, 192 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info

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

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

List Price: $21.95
Africa World Press (Jun 01, 1991)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 256 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
More Info


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

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

List Price: $12.50
Amistad (Oct 01, 1979)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 144 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info