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 2017


Click for a larger image of March Book Three

March Book Three
by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, Illustrated by Nate Powell

Publication Date: Aug 02, 2016
List Price: $19.99
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781603094023
Imprint: Top Shelf Productions
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Parent Company: Top Shelf Productions


Click for a larger image of As Brave As You

As Brave As You
by Jason Reynolds

Publication Date: May 03, 2016
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 432 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781481415903
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life
by Ashley Bryan

Publication Date: Sep 13, 2016
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 56 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781481456906
Imprint: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
by Javaka Steptoe, Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

Publication Date: Oct 25, 2016
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780316213882
Imprint: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Parent Company: Lagardère Group


Click for a larger image of Freedom in Congo Square

Freedom in Congo Square
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Publication Date: Jan 05, 2016
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781499801033
Imprint: Little Bee Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of In Plain Sight: A Game

In Plain Sight: A Game
by Richard Jackson

Publication Date: Sep 20, 2016
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781626722552
Imprint: Roaring Brook Press
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Parent Company: Holtzbrinck Publishing Group


Click for a larger image of The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon

Publication Date: Nov 01, 2016
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780553496680
Imprint: Delacorte Press
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann