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 2023



Click for a larger image of Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler
by Ibi Zoboi

List Price: $16.99
Dutton Books for Young Readers (Jan 25, 2022)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 128 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile, Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

List Price: $22.95
Norton Young Readers (Sep 27, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Standing in the Need of Prayer (paperback): A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual

Standing in the Need of Prayer (paperback): A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

List Price: $18.99
Crown Books for Young Readers (Sep 20, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 32 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of 
Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love

Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love
by Michelle Edwards, Illustrated by April Harrison

List Price: $18.99
Anne Schwartz Books (Oct 11, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 40 pages
Target Age Group: Picture Book
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Click for a larger image of Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile, Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

List Price: $22.95
Norton Young Readers (Sep 27, 2022)
Fiction, Hardcover, 208 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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Click for a larger image of Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement

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: $19.99
Roaring Brook Press (Sep 06, 2022)
Nonfiction, Hardcover, 64 pages
Target Age Group: Middle Grade
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