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.

10 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 1999



Click for a larger image of Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: The Story of New York’s African Burial Ground

Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: The Story of New York’s African Burial Ground
by Joyce Hansen

List Price: $22.95
Henry Holt & Company (Apr 15, 1998)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 144 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Jazmin’s Notebook

Jazmin’s Notebook
by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

List Price: $5.99
Penguin Young Readers Group (Jan 28, 2000)
Fiction, Paperback, 112 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of The Other Side: Shorter Poems

The Other Side: Shorter Poems
by Angela Johnson

List Price: $6.95
Scholastic Inc (Mar 28, 2000)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 64 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
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Click for a larger image of I See the Rhythm

I See the Rhythm
by Toyomi Igus, Illustrated by Michele Wood

List Price: $10.95
Lee & Low Books (Sep 09, 2005)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

List Price: $6.99
Disney-Hyperion (Jan 28, 2007)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of I Have Heard of a Land

I Have Heard of a Land
by Joyce Carol Thomas, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

List Price: $6.99
HarperCollins Publishers (Jan 28, 2000)
Fiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of The Bat Boy and His Violin

The Bat Boy and His Violin
by Gavin Curtis, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

List Price: $7.99
Aladdin (Jan 28, 2001)
Fiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of The Piano Man

The Piano Man
by Debbi Chocolate, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

List Price: $6.95
Walker Childrens (Mar 01, 2000)
Fiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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