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 2008


Click for a larger image of Elijah of Buxton

Elijah of Buxton
by Christopher Paul Curtis

List Price: $7.99
Scholastic Paperbacks (Feb 01, 2009)
Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of 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: $10.99
Candlewick Press (Aug 24, 2010)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 80 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of November Blues (The Jericho Trilogy)

November Blues (The Jericho Trilogy)
by Sharon M. Draper

List Price: $7.99
Simon Pulse (May 19, 2009)
Fiction, Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
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Click for a larger image of Let it Shine

Let it Shine
by Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

List Price: $17.99
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Jan 09, 2007)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of 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: $16.99
The Blue Sky Press (Sep 01, 2007)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of The Secret Olivia Told Me

The Secret Olivia Told Me
by E. N. Joy, Illustrated by Nancy Devard

List Price: $8.95
Just Us Books (Nov 20, 2013)
Fiction, Paperback, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It

Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It
by Sundee T. Frazier

List Price: $6.99
Yearling (Sep 09, 2008)
Fiction, Paperback, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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