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 2021



Click for a larger image of All the Days Past, All the Days to Come

Click for a larger image of King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender

List Price: $17.99
Scholastic Press (Feb 04, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 272 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box

Click for a larger image of Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

List Price: $18.99
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Aug 25, 2020)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 48 pages
Target Age Group: Early Reader
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Click for a larger image of Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

List Price: $17.99
Harry N. Abrams (Apr 07, 2020)
Poetry, Hardcover, 48 pages
Target Age Group: Early Reader
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Click for a larger image of Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration
by Samara Cole Doyon, Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

List Price: $16.95
Tilbury House Publishers (Jan 07, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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