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Coretta Scott King Award facts for kids

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Coretta Scott King Award
Presented by Coretta Scott King Book Award Round Table, a round table of the American Library Association (ALA)
Country United States
First awarded 1970

The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Coretta Scott King Book Award Round Table, part of the American Library Association (ALA). Named for Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., this award recognizes outstanding books for young adults and children by African Americans that reflect the African American experience. Awards are given both to authors and to illustrators.

The first author award was given in 1970. In 1974, the award was expanded to honor illustrators as well as authors. Starting in 1978, runner-up Author Honor Books have been recognized. Recognition of runner-up Illustrator Honor Books began in 1981. In addition, the Coretta Scott King Awards committee has given the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, starting in 2010, and beginning in 1996 an occasional John Steptoe Award for New Talent.

Like the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal, the Coretta Scott King Awards have the potential to be used in classroom teaching and projects.

History

Coretta Scott King
Scott King in 1993

The idea for the Coretta Scott King Award came from Glyndon Flynt Greer, a school librarian in Englewood, New Jersey. At a meeting of the American Library Association in Atlantic City in 1969, Greer, librarian Mabel McKissick, and publisher John M. Carroll, lamented the lack of recognition for minority writers. No person of color had won either the Newbery or Caldecott Medals at that time. Before the conference ended, a group of African American librarians had formed to promote the creation of a new award. Among them were Augusta Braxton Baker, Charlemae Hill Rollins, and Virginia Lacy Jones. The award's name was intentionally chosen to honor recently assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. The name also commemorates the life of King Jr. and honors the dedication Coretta Scott King had to making the world a place that welcomes all people. The first Coretta Scott King Award was presented to Lillie Patterson, a librarian in Baltimore, for her elementary level biography Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace.

Early sponsors of the award included the New Jersey Library Association, and the library councils of the Englewood Middle School and Dwight Morrow High School.With support from Roger McDonough, the third annual Coretta Scott King Award was presented during the American Library Association's 1972 Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The award was briefly sponsored by the School of Library and Information Studies at Atlanta University from 1974-1976. In 1976, a separate awards committee and an advisory board of mostly local librarians were formed, co-chaired by Ella Gaines Yates.

In 1974, the award was expanded to honor illustrators as well as authors. The first illustrator to receive the award was George Ford, for his work in illustrating Ray Charles by Sharon Bell Mathis. Starting in 1978, the runner-ups for the author prize were listed as Honor Books, and beginning in 1981 the illustrator runner-ups were also listed as Honor Books.

In 1979, the awards committee and the advisory board merged, forming the Coretta Scott King Award Task Force. With support from E. J. Josey, the new committee became part of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association. Greer served as its first chair until her death on 24 August 1980. Harriet Brown then became acting chair. Brown was succeeded by Effie Lee Morris in 1981. Under Morris' leadership, the Coretta Scott King Awards were officially recognized by the executive board of the ALA. Morris wrote formal selection criteria for the awards to meet ALA's standards, and the Coretta Scott King Awards were accepted as an ALA unit award in 1982, the twelfth year that they had been given.

Winning books receive a medal; honor books receive a certificate. Winning and honor books are identified by the presence on their covers of the Coretta Scott King Award Seal. The original seal was designed by artist Lev Mills in 1974, with a bronze seal on winning books and a pewter seal on honor books. In a later revision of the seal, the colors changed to bronze and black for winners, and pewter and black for honors.

The award eventually changed its ALA affiliation from the SRRT to the Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), which had previously been a task force of the SRRT and was a closer match for its activities. In 2022 The Coretta Scott King Book Award was designated an official ALA Round Table: the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table.

Dr. Henrietta M. Smith edited four volumes, published by the American Library Association, that provide a history of the award. The Coretta Scott King Awards: 50th Anniversary was published in 2019 on the Award's 50th anniversary.

From 1996 on, the Coretta Scott King Awards program includes the John Steptoe Award for New Talent, optionally awarded to an author, an illustrator, or both.

Recipients

Sharon Draper (11505)
Sharon Draper won the Steptoe Award before going on to win two Coretta Scott King Awards
Ashley Bryan 01
Ashley Bryan has won the award as both an author and illustrator and has been recognized 12 total times
Christopher Paul Curtis
Christopher Paul Curtis became the first author to win the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award in the same year for Bud, Not Buddy.
Jerry Pinkney 2019 Texas Book Festival
Jerry Pinkney's five wins are the most for any illustrator
Table key
Row color Meaning
Indicates a Coretta Scott King author winner
Indicates a Coretta Scott King illustrator winner
Indicates a John Steptoe Award for New Talent winner
Indicates a special recognition
Coretta Scott King Book Awards winners and runners-up
Year Work Recipient Title Citation
1970 Author Lillie Patterson Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace Winner
1971 Author Charlemae Rollins Black Troubadour: Langston Hughes Winner
Maya Angelou I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Honor
Shirley Chisholm Unbought and Unbossed
Mari Evans I Am a Black Woman
Lorenz Graham Every Man Heart Lay Down
June Jordan and Terri Bush The Voice of the Children
Gladys Groom and Barney Grossman Black Means
Margaret W. Peters Ebony Book of Black Achievement
Janice May Udry Mary Jo's Grandmother
1972 Author Elton Fax 17 Black Artists Winner
1973 Author Alfred Duckett I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson Winner
1974 Author Sharon Bell Mathis Ray Charles Winner
Alice Childress A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich Honor
Lucille Clifton Don't You Remember?
Louise Crane Ms. Africa: Profiles of Modern African Women
Kristin Hunter Guest in the Promise Land
John Nagenda Mukasa
Illustrator George Ford Ray Charles Winner
1975 Author Dorothy Robinson The Legend of Africania Winner
1976 Author Pearl Bailey Duey's Tale Winner
Shirley Graham Julius K. Nyerere: Teacher of Africa Honor
Eloise Greenfield Paul Robeson
Walter Dean Myers Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff
Mildred Taylor Song of the Trees
1977 Author James Haskins The Story of Stevie Wonder Winner
Lucille Clifton Everett Anderson's Friend Honor
Mildred Taylor Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
Clarence N. Blake and Donald F. Martin Quiz Book on Black America
1978 Author Eloise Greenfield Africa Dream Winner
William J. Faulkner The Days When the Animals Talked: Black Folk Tales and How They Came to Be Honor
Frankcina Glass Marvin and Tige
Eloise Greenfield Mary McCleod Bethune
James Haskins Barbara Jordan
Lillie Patterson Coretta Scott King
Ruth Ann Stewart Portia: The Life of Portia Washington Pittman, the Daughter of Booker T. Washington
Illustrator Carole Byard Africa Dream Winner
1979 Author Ossie Davis Escape to Freedom Winner
Lillie Patterson Benjamin Banneker Honor
Jeanne W. Peterson I Have a Sister, My Sister is Deaf
Virginia Hamilton Justice and Her Brothers
Carol Fenner Skates of Uncle Richard
Illustrator Tom Feelings Something on My Mind Winner
1980 Author Walter Dean Myers The Young Landlords Winner
Berry Gordy Movin' Up Honor
Eloise Greenfield and Lessie Jones Little Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir
James Haskins Andrew Young: Young Man with a Mission
James Haskins James Van Der Zee: The Picture Takin' Man
Ellease Southerland Let the Lion Eat Straw
Illustrator Carole Byard Cornrows Winner
1981 Author Sidney Poitier This Life Winner
Alexis De Veaux Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday Honor
Illustrator Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum Winner
Carole Byard Grandmama's Joy Honor
Jerry Pinkney Count on Your Fingers African Style
1982 Author Mildred Taylor Let the Circle Be Unbroken Winner
Alice Childress Rainbow Jordan Honor
Kristin Hunter Lou In the Limelight
Mary E. Mebane Mary: An Autobiography
Illustrator John Steptoe Mother Crocodile: An Uncle Amadou Tale from Senegal Winner
Tom Feelings Daydreamers Honor
1983 Author Virginia Hamilton Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush Winner
Julius Lester This Strange New Feeling Honor
Illustrator Peter Magubane Black Child Winner
John Steptoe All the Colors of the Race Honor
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan I'm Going to Sing: Black American Spirituals
Pat Cummings Just Us Women
1984 Author Lucille Clifton Everett Anderson's Goodbye Winner
Virginia Hamilton The Magical Adventures of Pretty Pearl Honor
James Haskins Lena Horne
Joyce Carol Thomas Bright Shadow
Mildred Pitts Walter Because We Are
Coretta Scott King (editor) The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr Special
Illustrator Pat Cummings My Mama Needs Me Winner
1985 Author Walter Dean Myers Motown and Didi Winner
Candy Dawson Boyd Circle of Gold Honor
Virginia Hamilton A Little Love
1986 Author Virginia Hamilton The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales Winner
Virginia Hamilton Junius Over Far Honor
Mildred Pitts Walter Trouble's Child Honor
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney The Patchwork Quilt Winner
Leo and Diane Dillon The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales Honor
1987 Author Mildred Pitts Walter Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World Winner
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales Honor
Joyce Hansen Which Way Freedom Honor
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney Half a Moon and One Whole Star Winner
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales Honor
Pat Cummings C.L.O.U.D.S.
1988 Author Mildred Taylor The Friendship Winner
Alexis De Veaux An Enchanted Hair Tale Honor
Julius Lester The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit Honor
Illustrator John Steptoe Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale Winner
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan What a Morning! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals Honor
Joe Sam The Invisible Hunters: A Legend from the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua
1989 Author Walter Dean Myers Fallen Angels Winner
James Berry A Thief in the Village and Other Stories Honor
Virginia Hamilton Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney Mirandy and Brother Wind Winner
Amos Ferguson Under the Sunday Tree Honor
Pat Cummings Storm in the Night
1990 Author Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter Winner
Eloise Greenfield Nathaniel Talking Honor
Virginia Hamilton The Bells of Christmas
Lillie Patterson Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Freedom Movement
Illustrator Jan Spivey Gilchrist Nathaniel Talking Winner
Jerry Pinkney The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South Honor
1991 Author Mildred Taylor The Road to Memphis Winner
James Haskins Black Dance in America Honor
Angela Johnson When I Am Old with You
Illustrator Leo and Diane Dillon Aida Winner
1992 Author Walter Dean Myers Now is Your Time: The African American Struggle for Freedom Winner
Eloise Greenfield Night on Neighborhood Street Honor
Illustrator Faith Ringgold Tar Beach Winner
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan All Night, All Day: A Child's First Book of African American Spirituals Honor
Jan Spivey Gilchrist Night on Neighborhood Street
1993 Author Patricia C. McKissack The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural Winner
Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman? Honor
Walter Dean Myers Somewhere in the Darkness
Mildred Pitts Walter Mississippi Challenge
Illustrator Kathleen Atkins Wilson The Origin of Life on Earth: An African Creation Myth Winner
Wil Clay Little Eight John Honor
Brian Pinkney Sukey and the Mermaid
Carole Byard Working Cotton
1994 Author Angela Johnson Toning the Sweep Winner
Joyce Carol Thomas Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea Honor
Walter Dean Myers Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary
Illustrator Tom Feelings Soul Looks Back in Wonder Winner
Floyd Cooper Brown Honey in Broom Wheat Tea Honor
James Ransome Uncle Jed's Barbershop
1995 Author Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters Winner
Joyce Hansen The Captive Honor
Jacqueline Woodson I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This
Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack, Jr. Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues
Illustrator James Ransome The Creation Winner
Teresa Shaffer The Singing Man Honor
Floyd Cooper Meet Danitra Brown
Steptoe author Draper, SharonSharon Draper Tears of a Tiger Winner
1996 Author Virginia Hamilton Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales Winner
Christopher Paul Curtis The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 Honor
Rita Williams-Garcia Like Sisters on the Homefront
Jacqueline Woodson From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun
Illustrator Tom Feelings The Middle Passage Winner
Leo and Diane Dillon Her Stories Honor
Brian Pinkney The Faithful Friend
1997 Author Walter Dean Myers Slam Winner
Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack Rebels Against Slavery: American Slave Revolts Honor
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman Winner
R. Gregory Christie The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children Honor
Reynold Ruffins Running the Road to ABC
Synthia Saint James Neeny Coming, Neeny Going
Steptoe author Southgate, MarthaMartha Southgate Another Way to Dance Winner
1998 Author Sharon Draper Forged By Fire Winner
James Haskins Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement Honor
Joyce Hansen I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl
Illustrator Javaka Steptoe In Daddy's Arms I am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers Winner
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry Honor
Christopher Myers Harlem
Baba Wagué Diakité The Hunterman and the Crocodile
1999 Author Angela Johnson Heaven Winner
Nikki Grimes Jazmin's Notebook Honor
Joyce Hansen and Gary McGowan Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: The Story of New York's African Burial Ground
Angela Johnson The Other Side: Shorter Poems
Illustrator Michele Wood I See the Rhythm Winner
Floyd Cooper I Have Heard of a Land Honor
E. B. Lewis The Bat Boy and His Violin
Brian Pinkney Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
Steptoe author Flake, SharonSharon Flake The Skin I'm In Winner
Steptoe illustrator Velasquez, EricEric Velasquez The Piano Man Winner
2000 Author Christopher Paul Curtis Bud, Not Buddy Winner
Karen English Francie Honor
Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers
Walter Dean Myers Monster
Illustrator Brian Pinkney In the Time of the Drums Winner
E. B. Lewis My Rows and Piles of Coins Honor
Christopher Myers Black Cat
2001 Author Jacqueline Woodson Miracle's Boys Winner
Andrea Davis Pinkney Let It Shine! Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters Honor
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier Uptown Winner
Collier, BryanBryan Collier Freedom River Honor
R. Gregory Christie Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth
E. B. Lewis Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys
2002 Author Mildred Taylor The Land Winner
Sharon G. Flake Money-Hungry Honor
Marilyn Nelson Carver: A Life in Poems
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney Goin' Someplace Special Winner
Collier, BryanBryan Collier Martin's Big Words Honor
Steptoe illustrator Lagarrigue, JeromeJerome Lagarrigue Freedom Summer Winner
2003 Author Nikki Grimes Bronx Masquerade Winner
Brenda Woods The Red Rose Box Honor
Nikki Grimes Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman
Illustrator E. B. Lewis Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman Winner
Collier, BryanBryan Collier Visiting Langston Honor
Steptoe author McDonald, JanetJanet McDonald Chill Wind Winner
Steptoe author / illustrator DuBurke, RandyRandy DuBurke The Moon Ring Winner
2004 Author Angela Johnson The First Part Last Winner
Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack Days Of Jubilee: The End of Slavery in the United States Honor
Sharon Draper The Battle of Jericho
Illustrator Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Beautiful Blackbird Winner
Colin Bootman Almost to Freedom Honor
Kadir Nelson Thunder Rose
Leo and Diane Dillon Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles
Steptoe author Hope Anita Smith The Way a Door Closes (illustrated by Shane W. Evans) Winner
2005 Author Toni Morrison Remember: The Journey to School Integration Winner
Shelia P. Moses The Legend of Buddy Bush Honor
Sharon G. Flake Who Am I without Him?: Short Stories about Girls and the Boys in Their Lives
Marilyn Nelson Fortune's Bones: The Manumission Requiem
Illustrator Kadir Nelson Ellington Was Not a Street Winner
Jerry Pinkney God Bless the Child Honor
Leo and Diane Dillon The People Could Fly: The Picture Book
Steptoe author Hathaway, BarbaraBarbara Hathaway Missy Violet and Me Winner
Steptoe illustrator Morrison, FrankFrank Morrison Jazzy Miz Mozetta Winner
2006 Author Julius Lester Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue Winner
Tonya Bolden Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl Honor
Nikki Grimes Dark Sons
Marilyn Nelson A Wreath for Emmett Till
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier Rosa Winner
R. Gregory Christie Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan Honor
Steptoe author Adoff, JaimeJaime Adoff Jimi & Me Winner
2007 Author Sharon Draper Copper Sun Winner
Nikki Grimes The Road to Paris Honor
Illustrator Kadir Nelson Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom Winner
Christopher Myers Jazz Honor
Benny Andrews Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes
Steptoe author Jones, Traci L.Traci L. Jones Standing Against the Wind Winner
2008 Author Christopher Paul Curtis Elijah of Buxton Winner
Sharon Draper November Blues Honor
Charles R. Smith Jr. Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali
Illustrator Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals Winner
Nancy Devard The Secret Olivia Told Me Honor
Leo and Diane Dillon Jazz on a Saturday Night
Steptoe author Frazier, Sundee T.Sundee T. Frazier Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything In It Winner
2009 Author Kadir Nelson We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball Winner
Hope Anita Smith Keeping the Night Watch Honor
Joyce Carol Thomas The Blacker the Berry
Carole Boston Weatherford Becoming Billie Holiday
Illustrator Floyd Cooper The Blacker the Berry Winner
Kadir Nelson We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball Honor
Jerry Pinkney The Moon Over Star
Sean Qualls Before John Was a Jazz Giant
Steptoe illustrator Strickland, ShadraShadra Strickland Bird Winner
2010 Author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal Winner
Tanita S. Davis Mare's War Honor
Illustrator Charles R. Smith Jr. My People Winner
E. B. Lewis The Negro Speaks of Rivers Honor
Steptoe author Magoon, KeklaKekla Magoon The Rock and the River Winner
2011 Author Rita Williams-Garcia One Crazy Summer Winner
Walter Dean Myers Lockdown Honor
Jewell Parker Rhodes Ninth Ward
G. Neri Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Winner
Javaka Steptoe Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix Honor
Steptoe author Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon Zora and Me Winner
Steptoe illustrator Sadler, Sonia LynnSonia Lynn Sadler Seeds of Change Winner
2012 Author Kadir Nelson Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Winner
Eloise Greenfield The Great Migration: Journey to the North Honor
Patricia C. McKissack Never Forgotten
Illustrator Shane W. Evans Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom Winner
Kadir Nelson Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Honor
2013 Author Andrea Davis Pinkney Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America Winner
Jacqueline Woodson Each Kindness Honor
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Micheaux, Harlem Bookseller
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier I, Too, Am America Winner
Daniel Minter Ellen's Broom Honor
Christopher Myers H.O.R.S.E.
Kadir Nelson I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr.
2014 Author Rita Williams-Garcia P.S. Be Eleven Winner
John Lewis and Andrew Aydin March: Book One Honor
Walter Dean Myers Darius & Twig
Nikki Grimes Words with Wings
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me Winner
Kadir Nelson Nelson Mandela Honor
Steptoe illustrator Taylor III, TheodoreTheodore Taylor III When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop Winner
2015 Author Jacqueline Woodson Brown Girl Dreaming Winner
Kwame Alexander The Crossover Honor
Marilyn Nelson How I Discovered Poetry
Kekla Magoon How It Went Down
Illustrator Christopher Myers Firebird Winner
Christian Robinson Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker Honor
Frank Morrison Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
Steptoe author Jason Reynolds When I Was the Greatest Winner
2016 Author Rita Williams-Garcia Gone Crazy in Alabama Winner
Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely All American Boys Honor
Jason Reynolds The Boy in the Black Suit
Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon X: A Novel
Illustrator Collier, BryanBryan Collier Trombone Shorty Winner
R. Gregory Christie The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore Honor
Christian Robinson Last Stop on Market Street
Steptoe author Smith, Ronald L.Ronald L. Smith Hoodoo Winner
Steptoe illustrator Holmes, EkuaEkua Holmes Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement Winner
2017 Author John Lewis and Andrew Aydin March: Book Three Winner
Jason Reynolds As Brave as You Honor
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
Illustrator Javaka Steptoe Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Winner
R. Gregory Christie Freedom in Congo Square Honor
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
Jerry Pinkney In Plain Sight
Steptoe author Yoon, NicolaNicola Yoon The Sun Is Also a Star Winner
2018 Author Renée Watson Piecing Me Together Winner
Derrick Barnes Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Honor
Jason Reynolds Long Way Down
Angie Thomas The Hate U Give
Illustrator Ekua Holmes Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets Winner
Gordon C. James Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Honor
James Ransome Before She Was Harriet: The Story of Harriet Tubman
Steptoe author Moore, David BarclayDavid Barclay Moore The Stars Beneath Our Feet Winner
Steptoe illustrator Palmer, CharlyCharly Palmer Mama Africa! How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song Winner
2019 Author Hartfield, ClaireClaire Hartfield A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Winner
Cline-Ransome, LesaLesa Cline-Ransome Finding Langston Honor
Johnson, VarianVarian Johnson The Parker Inheritance
Magoon, KeklaKekla Magoon The Season of Styx Malone
Illustrator Holmes, EkuaEkua Holmes The Stuff of Stars Winner
Freeman, LauraLaura Freeman Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race Honor
Morrison, FrankFrank Morrison Let the Children March
R. Gregory Christie Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop
Steptoe author Jackson, Tiffany D.Tiffany D. Jackson Monday's Not Coming Winner
Steptoe illustrator Mora, OgeOge Mora Thank You, Omu! Winner
2020 Author Craft, JerryJerry Craft New Kid Winner
Petrus, JunaudaJunauda Petrus The Stars and the Blackness Between Them Honor
Mbalia, KwameKwame Mbalia Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Reynolds, JasonJason Reynolds Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Illustrator Nelson, KadirKadir Nelson The Undefeated Winner
Ransome, JamesJames Ransome The Bell Rang Honor
Bryan, AshleyAshley Bryan Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace
Harrison, VashtiVashti Harrison Sulwe
Steptoe author Williams, Alicia D.Alicia D. Williams Genesis Begins Again Winner
Steptoe illustrator Harrison, AprilApril Harrison What is Given from the Heart Winner
2021 Author Woodson, JacquelineJacqueline Woodson Before the Ever After Winner
Taylor, MildredMildred Taylor All the Days Past, All the Days to Come Honor
Callender, KacenKacen Callender King and the Dragonflies
Dionne, EvetteEvette Dionne Lifting as We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box
Illustrator Morrison, FrankFrank Morrison R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul Winner
Juanita, KaylaniKaylani Juanita Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration Honor
Cabrera, Cozbi A.Cozbi A. Cabrera Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
Cabrera, Cozbi A.Cozbi A. Cabrera Me & Mama
Steptoe author Deonn, TracyTracy Deonn Legendborn Winner
2022 Author Weatherford, Carole BostonCarole Boston Weatherford Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Winner
Elhillo, SafiaSafia Elhillo Home Is Not a Country Honor
Magoon, KeklaKekla Magoon Revolution in Our Time
Zoboi, IbiIbi Zoboi The People Remember
Illustrator Floyd Cooper Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Winner
Robinson, ChristianChristian Robinson Nina: A Story of Nina Simone Honor
Figueroa, RaissaRaissa Figueroa We Wait for the Sun
Esperanza, C.G.C.G. Esperanza Soul Food Sunday
Steptoe author McBride, AmberAmber McBride Me (Moth) Winner
2023 Author Luqman-Dawson, AminaAmina Luqman-Dawson Freewater Winner
Zoboi, IbiIbi Zoboi Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler Honor
Williams, Alicia D.Alicia D. Williams The Talk
Smith , TommieTommie Smith and Derrick Barnes Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
Illustrator Frank Morrison Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual Winner
Harrison, AprilApril Harrison Me and the Boss: A Story of Mending and Love Honor
Christmas, JohnnieJohnnie Christmas Swim Team
Anyabwile, DawudDawud Anyabwile Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice
Steptoe author Hammonds, JasJas Hammonds We Deserve Monuments Winner
Steptoe illustrator Washington, JanelleJanelle Washington Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement Winner
2024 Author Ibi Zoboi Nigeria Jones Winner
Vashti Harrison Big Honor
Carole Boston Weatherford How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee Honor
Carole Boston Weatherford Kin: Rooted in Hope Honor
Illustrator Dare Coulter An American Story Winner
Vashti Harrison Big Honor
Shannon Wright Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes Honor
Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey There Was a Party for Langston Honor
Steptoe author Adia, JadeJade Adia There Goes the Neighborhood Winner
Steptoe illustrator Uchendu, Briana Mukodiri Briana Mukodiri Uchendu We Could Fly Winner

Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Walter Dean Myers Naypl Ambassador
Walter Dean Myers has the most Coretta Scott King Awards wins as an author with five, and was the inaugural recipient of the Hamilton Award for Lifetime achievement

From 2010 the Coretta Scott King Awards include the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, or Virginia Hamilton Award. It is presented to creators and practitioners alternately: in even years, to an African American writer or illustrator of books for children or young adults; in odd years, to a practitioner for "active engagement with youth using award-winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading related activities/programs."

  • 2010: Walter Dean Myers, author
  • 2011: Dr. Henrietta Mays Smith, professor emerita, University of South Florida, School of Information.
  • 2012: Ashley Bryan, storyteller, artist, author, poet, and musician
  • 2013: Demetria Tucker, family and youth services librarian for the Pearl Bailey Library, a branch of the Newport News (Va.) Public Library System
  • 2014: Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, children's authors
  • 2015: Deborah D. Taylor, young adult librarian
  • 2016: Jerry Pinkney, illustrator
  • 2017: Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, Professor Emerita of Education at Ohio State University
  • 2018: Eloise Greenfield, author
  • 2019: Dr. Pauletta Brown Bracy, Professor of Library Science and Director of the Office of University Accreditation at North Carolina Central University
  • 2020: Mildred Taylor, author
  • 2021: Dorothy L. Guthrie, retired librarian, district administrator, author and school board member
  • 2022: Nikki Grimes, author
  • 2023: Dr. Claudette McLinn, retired librarian and bookseller
  • 2024: Christopher Paul Curtis, author

See also

  • Timeline of African-American children's literature
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