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 2012


Click for a larger image of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
by Kadir Nelson, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Publication Date: Dec 23, 2013
List Price: $9.99
Format: Paperback, 112 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780061730795
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

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Click for a larger image of Never Forgotten

Never Forgotten
by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack

Publication Date: Oct 11, 2011
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780375843846
Imprint: Schwartz & Wade
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of The Great Migration: Journey To The North

The Great Migration: Journey To The North
by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Publication Date: Dec 21, 2010
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 26 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780061259210
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

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Click for a larger image of Underground: Finding The Light To Freedom

Underground: Finding The Light To Freedom
by Shane W. Evans, Illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Publication Date: Jan 18, 2011
List Price: $16.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781596435384
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Parent Company: Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

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Click for a larger image of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
by Kadir Nelson, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Publication Date: Dec 23, 2013
List Price: $9.99
Format: Paperback, 112 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780061730795
Imprint: Amistad
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

Read a Description of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans