Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners 1970 to Present

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The CSK Book Awards seal and award names are owned by the American Library Association.

coretta_scott_king 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 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

Author Award
Author Honor
Author Honor
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

List Price: $24.99
Candlewick Press (Nov 23, 2021)
Young Adult, Nonfiction, Hardcover, 400 pages
ISBN: 9781536214185Publisher: Candlewick Press

Read an Excerpt from Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People

Author Honor
The People Remember

The People Remember

by Ibi Zoboi, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

List Price: $19.99
Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Hardcover, 64 pages
ISBN: 9780062915641Publisher: HarperCollins
Illustrator Award
Illustrator Honor
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

by Traci N. Todd, Illustrated by Christian Robinson

List Price: $18.99
Picture Book, Nonfiction, Hardcover, 56 pages
ISBN: 9781524737283Publisher: Penguin Random House
Illustrator Honor
Soul Food Sunday

Soul Food Sunday

by Winsome Bingham, Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza

List Price: $17.99
Harry N. Abrams (Nov 16, 2021)
Picture Book, Fiction, Hardcover, 48 pages
ISBN: 9781419747717Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Illustrator Honor
We Wait For The Sun

We Wait For The Sun

by Katie McCabe, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

List Price: $18.99
Roaring Brook Press (Feb 09, 2021)
Picture Book, Nonfiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN: 9781250229021Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Me (Moth)

Me (Moth)

by Amber McBride

List Price: $18.99
Feiwel & Friends (Aug 17, 2021)
Young Adult, Fiction, Hardcover, 256 pages
ISBN: 9781250780362Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
John Steptoe Illustrator Award for New Talent
The Me I Choose to Be

The Me I Choose to Be

by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, Illustrated by Kahran and Regis Bethencourt

List Price: $17.99
Picture Book, Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN: 9780316461542Publisher: Hachette Book Group
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