Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present
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 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
Author Award
Before the Ever After
by Jacqueline Woodson
List Price: $17.99Nancy Paulsen Books (Sep 01, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 176 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Author Honor
All the Days Past, All the Days to Come
by Mildred D. Taylor
List Price: $19.99Viking Books for Young Readers (Jan 07, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 496 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
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Author Honor
King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender
List Price: $17.99Scholastic Press (Feb 04, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 272 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Author Honor
Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box
by Evette Dionne
List Price: $19.99Viking Books for Young Readers (Apr 21, 2020)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 176 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Illustrator Award
Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison
List Price: $18.99Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Aug 25, 2020)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 48 pages
Target Age Group: Early Reader
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Illustrator Honor
Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
List Price: $17.99Harry N. Abrams (Apr 07, 2020)
Poetry, Hardcover, 48 pages
Target Age Group: Early Reader
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Illustrator Honor
Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration
by Samara Cole Doyon, Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
List Price: $16.95Tilbury House Publishers (Jan 07, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Illustrator Honor
Me & Mama
by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
- 3 Time AALBC.com Bestselling Book!
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2021
- Caldecott Medal Winner or Honor
Denene Millner Books (Aug 25, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn
List Price: $18.99Margaret K. McElderry Books (Sep 15, 2020)
Fiction, Hardcover, 512 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
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