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.

10 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2022


Click for a larger image of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Publication Date: Feb 02, 2021
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781541581203
Imprint: Carolrhoda Books
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group

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Click for a larger image of Home Is Not a Country

Home Is Not a Country
by Safia Elhillo

Publication Date: Mar 02, 2021
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9780593177051
Imprint: Make Me a World
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People
by Kekla Magoon

Publication Date: Nov 23, 2021
List Price: $24.99
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9781536214185
Imprint: Candlewick Press
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Parent Company: Candlewick Press

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Click for a larger image of The People Remember

The People Remember
by Ibi Zoboi, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Publication Date: Sep 28, 2021
List Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover, 64 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
ISBN13: 9780062915641
Imprint: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent Company: News Corp

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Click for a larger image of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Publication Date: Feb 02, 2021
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781541581203
Imprint: Carolrhoda Books
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Parent Company: Lerner Publishing Group

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Click for a larger image of Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
by Traci N. Todd, Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Publication Date: Sep 28, 2021
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 56 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781524737283
Imprint: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

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Click for a larger image of Soul Food Sunday

Soul Food Sunday
by Winsome Bingham, Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza

Publication Date: Nov 16, 2021
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781419747717
Imprint: Harry N. Abrams
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Parent Company: La Martinière Groupe

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Click for a larger image of We Wait For The Sun

We Wait For The Sun
by Katie McCabe, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Publication Date: Feb 09, 2021
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9781250229021
Imprint: Roaring Brook Press
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Parent Company: Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

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John Steptoe Award for New Talent


Click for a larger image of Me (Moth)

Me (Moth)
by Amber McBride

Publication Date: Aug 17, 2021
List Price: $18.99
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Young Adult
ISBN13: 9781250780362
Imprint: Feiwel & Friends
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Parent Company: Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

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John Steptoe Illustrator Award for New Talent


Click for a larger image of The Me I Choose to Be

The Me I Choose to Be
by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, Illustrated by Kahran and Regis Bethencourt

Publication Date: Oct 12, 2021
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780316461542
Imprint: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Parent Company: Lagardère Group

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