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.

9 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2020



Click for a larger image of Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
by Jason Reynolds

List Price: $17.99
Atheneum (Oct 08, 2019)
Fiction, Paperback, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
More Info

Click for a larger image of The Stars and the Blackness Between Them

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
by Junauda Petrus

List Price: $17.99
Dutton Books for Young Readers (Sep 17, 2019)
Fiction, Hardcover, 320 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
More Info



Click for a larger image of Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace

Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace
by Ashley Bryan

List Price: $21.99
Atheneum (Oct 15, 2019)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 112 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info



Click for a larger image of What Is Given from the Heart

What Is Given from the Heart
by Patricia C. Mckissack, Illustrated by April Harrison

List Price: $17.99
Schwartz & Wade (Jan 08, 2019)
Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
More Info