Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
← Back to Main Awards Page
The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.
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.
9 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2009
We Are The Ship: The Story Of Negro League Baseball
by Kadir Nelson, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
5-time BLK Bestseller, Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2025 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2024 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2023 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2009
Becoming Billie Holiday
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Keeping the Night Watch
The Blacker The Berry
by Joyce Carol Thomas, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
The Blacker The Berry
by Joyce Carol Thomas, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Before John Was A Jazz Giant: A Song Of John Coltrane
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Sean Qualls
The Moon Over Star
by Dianna Hutts Aston, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
We Are The Ship: The Story Of Negro League Baseball
by Kadir Nelson, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
5-time BLK Bestseller, Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2025 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2024 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2023 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2009
Bird
by Zetta Elliott, Illustrated by Shadra Strickland