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 2013


Click for a larger image of Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America
by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

Publication Date: Oct 23, 2012
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 243 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781423142577
Imprint: Disney-Hyperion
Publisher: Disney Publishing Worldwide
Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company


Click for a larger image of Each Kindness

Each Kindness
by Jacqueline Woodson

Publication Date: Oct 02, 2012
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780399246524
Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann


Click for a larger image of No Crystal Stair

No Crystal Stair
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Publication Date: Mar 01, 2018
List Price: $9.99
Format: Paperback, 192 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781541514911
Imprint: Carolrhoda Books
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group


Click for a larger image of I, Too, Am America

I, Too, Am America
by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Publication Date: May 22, 2012
List Price: $16.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781442420083
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Ellen’s Broom

Ellen’s Broom
by Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Daniel Minter

Publication Date: Jan 05, 2012
List Price: $16.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780399250033
Imprint: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann


Click for a larger image of H.O.R.S.E.: A Game Of Basketball And Imagination

H.O.R.S.E.: A Game Of Basketball And Imagination
by Christopher Myers, Illustrated by Christopher Myers

Publication Date: Oct 09, 2012
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781606842188
Imprint: Egmont USA
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group


Click for a larger image of I Have a Dream

I Have a Dream
by Martin Luther King, Jr., Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Publication Date: Oct 09, 2012
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780375858871
Imprint: Random House Children’s Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann