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 Before the Ever After

Before the Ever After
by Jacqueline Woodson

Publication Date: Sep 01, 2020
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 176 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780399545436
Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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

All the Days Past, All the Days to Come
by Mildred D. Taylor

Publication Date: Jan 07, 2020
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 496 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780399257308
Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender

Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9781338129335
Imprint: Scholastic Press
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Parent Company: Scholastic Inc.

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Click for a larger image of Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box

Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box
by Evette Dionne

Publication Date: Apr 21, 2020
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 176 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780451481542
Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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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

Publication Date: Aug 25, 2020
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Early Reader
ISBN13: 9781534452282
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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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

Publication Date: Apr 07, 2020
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Classification: Poetry
Target Age Group: Early Reader
ISBN13: 9781419734113
Imprint: Harry N. Abrams
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Parent Company: La Martinière Groupe

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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

Publication Date: Jan 07, 2020
List Price: $16.95
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780884487975
Imprint: Tilbury House Publishers
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Parent Company: Tilbury House Publishers

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Click for a larger image of Me & Mama

Me & Mama
by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Publication Date: Aug 25, 2020
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781534454217
Imprint: Denene Millner Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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John Steptoe Award for New Talent


Click for a larger image of Legendborn

Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn

Publication Date: Sep 15, 2020
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9781534441606
Imprint: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.

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