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 New Kid

New Kid
by Jerry Craft

Publication Date: Feb 05, 2019
List Price: $21.99
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780062691200
Imprint: HarperCollins
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

Read Our Review of New Kid



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

Publication Date: Oct 08, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9781481438285
Imprint: Atheneum
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


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

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
by Junauda Petrus

Publication Date: Sep 17, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780525555483
Imprint: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann


Click for a larger image of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia

Publication Date: Oct 15, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 496 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781368039932
Imprint: Rick Riordan Presents
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Parent Company: Rick Riordan Presents


Click for a larger image of The Undefeated

The Undefeated
by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Publication Date: Apr 02, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781328780966
Imprint: Versify
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Parent Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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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

Publication Date: Oct 15, 2019
List Price: $21.99
Format: Hardcover, 112 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781534404908
Imprint: Atheneum
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.


Click for a larger image of Sulwe

Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong’o, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Publication Date: Oct 15, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781534425361
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

Read Our Review of Sulwe


John Steptoe Award for New Talent


Click for a larger image of Genesis Begins Again

Genesis Begins Again
by Alicia D. Williams

Publication Date: Jan 15, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781481465809
Imprint: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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John Steptoe Illustrator Award for New Talent


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

Publication Date: Jan 08, 2019
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780375836152
Imprint: Schwartz & Wade
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Parent Company: Bertelsmann