Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
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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.
6 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 1988
The Friendship
Cassie witnesses a black man address a white storekeeper by his first name. "A powerful story Readers will be haunted by its drama and emotion long after they have closed the book." Booklist
An Enchanted Hair Tale (Reading Rainbow Book)
Sudan suffers from the general ridicule of his strange-looking hair, until he comes to accept and enjoy its enchantment.
Tales of Uncle Remus (Puffin Modern Classics): The Adventures of Brer Rabbit
Whether he is besting Brer Fox or sneaking into Mr. Man s garden, Brer Rabbit is always teaching a valuable lesson. These classic tales are full of wit, humor, and creativity, and Julius Lester brings an added contemporary sense to these forty-eight timeless stories.
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
by John Steptoe, Illustrated by John Steptoe
This is the tale of Mufaro s two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king s search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls and of course chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen.
While all of Mr. Steptoe s work deals with aspects of the African American experience, Mufaro s Beautiful Daughter was acknowledged by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough. Based on an African tale recorded in the 19th century, it required Mr. Steptoe for the first time to research African history and culture, awakening his pride in his African ancestry. Mr. Steptoe hoped that his books would lead children, especially African American children, to feel pride in their origins and in who they are.
The Invisible Hunters/Los cazadores invisibles (Stories from Central America)
by Harriet Rohmer, Octavio Chow, and Morris Viduare, Illustrated by Joe Sam
Late one Saturday afternoon, three brothers leave their village to hunt wari, the wild pig their people depend on for food. While hunting they discover a magical vine that can make them invisible but they will only enjoy this power if they promise never to sell the meat they hunt, and never to hunt with guns, only with sticks. All is well until European traders arrive to buy the precious wari meat and the brothers forget the promises they made so long ago. This is a Miskito version of the classic folk theme of how the very thing that gives you power can turn against you if not respected and used properly. The Invisible Hunters is about caring for our environment and our community, and about not losing sight of what is important.
What a Morning!: The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals (Aladdin Picture Books)
by John Langstaff, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
In this unique and powerful collection, the story of Christmas is told through classic spirituals, augmented with biblical citations and paintings that reflect the joy of the holiday and the richness of the African-American experience. With arrangements for piano, guitar, and voice. The collection includes: My Lord, What a Morning!
Mary Had a Baby
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Sister Mary Had-a But One Child
Behold That Star!
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