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.

7 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2002


Click for a larger image of The Land

The Land
by Mildred D. Taylor

Publication Date: Dec 01, 2003
List Price: $7.99
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780142501467
Imprint: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann


Click for a larger image of Carver: A Life in Poems

Carver: A Life in Poems
by Marilyn Nelson

Publication Date: May 28, 2001
List Price: $16.95
Format: Hardcover, 112 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781886910539
Imprint: Highlights Press
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Parent Company: Boyds Mills Press


Click for a larger image of Money Hungry

Money Hungry
by Sharon G. Flake

Publication Date: Jul 17, 2007
List Price: $8.99
Format: Paperback, 192 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781423103868
Imprint: Disney-Hyperion
Publisher: Disney Publishing Worldwide
Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company


Click for a larger image of Goin’ Someplace Special

Goin’ Someplace Special
by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Publication Date: Dec 30, 2008
List Price: $7.99
Format: Paperback, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781416927358
Imprint: Aladdin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Publication Date: Dec 28, 2007
List Price: $8.99
Format: Paperback, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781423106357
Imprint: Disney-Hyperion
Publisher: Disney Publishing Worldwide
Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company


Click for a larger image of The Bell Rang

The Bell Rang
by James Ransome

Publication Date: Jan 15, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781442421134
Imprint: Atheneum
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Freedom Summer: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Summer

Freedom Summer: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Summer
by Maya Angelou, Illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue

Publication Date: Jun 17, 2014
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781481422987
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.