Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
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 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.
8 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2011
Author Award
One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia
15-time National Bestseller, Juvenile Fiction
- A 2024 National Bestselling Book – Juvenile Fiction
- A 2023 National Bestselling Book - Juvenile Fiction
- A Top 150 Children’s Book
- 14 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2011
- Newbery Medal Winner or Honor 2011
Amistad (Dec 27, 2011)
Fiction, Paperback, 218 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Author Honor
Lockdown
by Walter Dean Myers
List Price: $9.99Amistad (Dec 27, 2011)
Fiction, Paperback, 272 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
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Author Honor
Ninth Ward
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
List Price: $7.99Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Apr 10, 2012)
Fiction, Paperback, 224 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Author Honor
Yummy: The Last Days Of A Southside Shorty
by G. Neri
List Price: $16.95Lee & Low Books (Sep 01, 2010)
Nonfiction, Paperback, 96 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Illustrator Award
Dave The Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
by Laban Carrick Hill, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
- A Top 150 Children’s Book
- 1 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2011
- Carter G. Woodson Award Winning Book 2011
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Sep 07, 2010)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Illustrator Honor
Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow: A Story Of The Young Jimi Hendrix
by Gary Golio, Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
List Price: $17.99Clarion Books (Oct 04, 2010)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Read Our Review of Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow: A Story Of The Young Jimi Hendrix
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Seeds Of Change: Planting A Path To Peace
by Jen Johnson
List Price: $19.95Lee & Low Books (Jun 01, 2010)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Zora and Me
by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
List Price: $6.99Candlewick Press (Dec 27, 2011)
Fiction, Paperback, 192 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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