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.

5 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2010


Click for a larger image of Bad News For Outlaws: The Remarkable Life Of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal

Bad News For Outlaws: The Remarkable Life Of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Publication Date: Sep 01, 2009
List Price: $19.99
Format: Library Binding, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780822567646
Imprint: Carolrhoda Books
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group

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Click for a larger image of Mare’s War

Mare’s War
by Tanita S. Davis

Publication Date: Jan 25, 2011
List Price: $9.99
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780375850776
Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of My People

My People
by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Publication Date: Jan 06, 2009
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781416935407
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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Click for a larger image of The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers
by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

Publication Date: Jan 06, 2009
List Price: $16.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780786818679
Imprint: Hyperion Books
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Parent Company: Lagardère Group

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Click for a larger image of The Rock And The River

The Rock And The River
by Kekla Magoon

Publication Date: Apr 06, 2010
List Price: $8.99
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781416978039
Imprint: Aladdin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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