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.
10 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books for 2023
Author Award
Freewater
by Amina Luqman-Dawson
- A 2023 National Bestselling Book - Juvenile Fiction
- Coretta Scott King Award Winning Book 2023
- Newbery Medal Winner or Honor 2023
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Feb 01, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 416 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info
Author Honor
Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler
by Ibi Zoboi
List Price: $16.99Dutton Books for Young Readers (Jan 25, 2022)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 128 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info
Author Honor
The Talk
by Alicia D. Williams, Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
List Price: $18.99Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Oct 18, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
More Info
Author Honor
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile, Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
List Price: $22.95Norton Young Readers (Sep 27, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info
Illustrator Award
Standing in the Need of Prayer (paperback): A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison
List Price: $18.99Crown Books for Young Readers (Sep 20, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
More Info
Illustrator Honor
Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love
by Michelle Edwards, Illustrated by April Harrison
List Price: $18.99Anne Schwartz Books (Oct 11, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
More Info
Illustrator Honor
Swim Team
by Johnnie Christmas, Illustrated by Johnnie Christmas
List Price: $24.99HarperAlley (May 17, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 256 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info
Illustrator Honor
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile, Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
List Price: $22.95Norton Young Readers (Sep 27, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
We Deserve Monuments
by Jas Hammonds
List Price: $18.99Roaring Brook Press (Nov 29, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 384 pages
Target Age Group: Young Adult
More Info
John Steptoe Illustrator Award for New Talent
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
by Angela Joy, Illustrated by Janelle Washington
1-time National Bestseller, Juvenile Nonfiction
List Price: $19.99Roaring Brook Press (Sep 06, 2022)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 64 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
More Info