Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
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The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.
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 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
New Kid
by Jerry Craft
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of New Kid
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
The Undefeated
by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
6-time BLK Bestseller, Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2025 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2024 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- A 2023 Top 50 BLK Bestseller – Juvenile Nonfiction
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of The Undefeated
Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace
by Ashley Bryan
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace
Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong’o, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of Sulwe
Genesis Begins Again
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020
Read Our Review of Genesis Begins Again
What Is Given from the Heart
by Patricia C. Mckissack, Illustrated by April Harrison
- 4 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Selected for 1 Book Club Reading Lists
- Kirkus Prize Finalist/Winner 2019
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2020
- Newbery Honor Book 2020