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 1989



Click for a larger image of A Thief in the Village: And Other Stories of Jamaica

A Thief in the Village: And Other Stories of Jamaica
by James Berry

List Price: $5.99
Puffin Books (Feb 01, 1990)
Fiction, Paperback, 160 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave (Laurel-leaf books)

Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave (Laurel-leaf books)
by Virginia Hamilton

List Price: $7.99
Laurel Leaf (Jan 04, 1993)
Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Storm in the Night

Storm in the Night
by Mary Stolz, Illustrated by Pat Cummings

List Price: $6.99
Amistad (Sep 30, 1990)
Fiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of Under The Sunday Tree

Under The Sunday Tree
by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrated by Amos Ferguson

List Price: $10.99
Amistad (Jan 30, 1991)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 48 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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