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 1983


Click for a larger image of Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush

Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush
by Virginia Hamilton

Publication Date: Jan 09, 2001
List Price: $8.99
Format: Paperback, 224 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780380651931
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corporation

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Click for a larger image of This Strange New Feeling

This Strange New Feeling
by Julius Lester

Publication Date: Jan 01, 1997
List Price: $4.50
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 176 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780590440479
Imprint: Scholastic Inc
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Parent Company: Scholastic Inc.

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Black Child
by Peter Magubane, Illustrated by Peter Magubane

Paperback Unavailable for Sale from AALBC
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Publication Date: Mar 12, 1982
List Price: Unavailable
Format: Paperback, 102 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780394709598
Imprint: Knopf
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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All the Colors of the Race
by Arnold Adoff, Illustrated by John Steptoe

Paperback Unavailable for Sale from AALBC
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Publication Date: Mar 01, 1992
List Price: Unavailable
Format: Paperback, 56 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Early Reader
ISBN13: 9780688114961
Imprint: Beech Tree Books
Publisher: Beech Tree Books
Parent Company: Beech Tree Books

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Click for a larger image of I’m Going to Sing (Black American Spirituals, Vol. 2)

I’m Going to Sing (Black American Spirituals, Vol. 2)
by Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Publication Date: Oct 01, 1982
List Price: $10.95
Format: Library Binding, 53 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Early Reader
ISBN13: 9780689309151
Imprint: Atheneum
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: CBS Corporation

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Click for a larger image of Just Us Women

Just Us Women
by Jeannette Caines, Illustrated by Pat Cummings

Publication Date: May 23, 1984
List Price: $7.99
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780064430562
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corporation

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