Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
← Back to Main Awards Page
The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.
The 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.”
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.
5 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 1981
This Life
This Life
Don’t Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday
Presents a prose poem recounting the life of the American jazz singer affectionately known as Lady Day.
Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum (Aladdin Books)
by Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Here are five Nigerian folktales, retold in language as rhythmic as the beat of the story-drum, and illustrated with vibrant, evocative woodcuts.
Count on Your Fingers African Style
by Claudia Zaslavsky, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Describes how finger counting is used for communication of price and quantity in an African market place.
Grandmama’s Joy
by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrated by Carole Byard
When Rhondy can t seem to cheer Grandmama up with a song, a dance, or a gift from the backyard, she tries the one thing she s sure will work. Rhondy reminds Grandmama what she said about her when they first came to live together: "That s my joy, that s Grandmama s joy. Long as I got my joy, I ll be all right." "As sometimes happens, the child is more resourceful than the adult.This is the portrait of a relationship, revealed less as a story than as the unfolding of love." Booklist "A sensitive story that shows the loving relationship between Grandmama and Rhondy." School Library Journal
Advertisement
