Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present

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csk winner seal
The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.

coretta_scott_king 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.

7 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2008

Author Award
Elijah of Buxton

Elijah of Buxton

by Christopher Paul Curtis

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9780439023450Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Author Honor
12 Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

12 Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

by Charles R. Smith Jr., Illustrated by Bryan Collier

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9780763650025Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Author Honor
November Blues (The Jericho Trilogy)

November Blues (The Jericho Trilogy)

by Sharon M. Draper

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9781416906995Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Illustrator Award
Let it Shine

Let it Shine

by Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9780689847325Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Illustrator Honor
Jazz On A Saturday Night (Coretta Scott King Honor Book)

Jazz On A Saturday Night (Coretta Scott King Honor Book)

by Leo and Diane Dillon, Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9780590478939Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Illustrator Honor
The Secret Olivia Told Me

The Secret Olivia Told Me

by E. N. Joy, Illustrated by Nancy Devard

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9781933491363Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It

Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It

by Sundee T. Frazier

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Middle Grade, Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 9780440422068Publisher: Scholastic Inc.