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 1990


Click for a larger image of A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter (Walker’s American History Series for Young People)

A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter (Walker’s American History Series for Young People)
by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack

Walker Childrens (Jan 01, 1989)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 160 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Freedom Movement (Makers of America)

Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Freedom Movement (Makers of America)
by Lillie Patterson

List Price: $8.95
Checkmark Books (Sep 01, 1993)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 192 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of The Bells of Christmas

The Bells of Christmas
by Virginia Hamilton

List Price: $10.00
Sandpiper (Oct 15, 1997)
Fiction, Paperback, 64 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of The Talking Eggs