Coretta Scott King Awards
located in the Curriculum Lab
| 2000 1990 1980 1970 | Description of the Award |
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What is the Coretta Scott King Award? The Coretta Scott King Award is presented to authors and illustrators of African American descent whose works promote an understanding and appreciation of the "true worth and value of all beings."
Who decides the winner? The American Library Association's Social Responsibilities Round Table appoints a seven member task force called the Coretta Scott King Task Force. The task force considers books that have been published in the year preceding the award.
When did the award begin? At the 1969 ALA Conference, two school librarians (Glydon Flynt Greer and Mabel McKissick) lamented the lack of minority recognition in the existing awards to publisher John M. Carroll, who challenged them to create a new award. The award began in 1970. Illustrators were first honored in 1974. In 1980, Glyndon Flynt Greer arranged to have the award sponsored by the American Library Association. The New Talent Award was added in 1995 to garner public attention for new African American authors.
Why is it called the Coretta Scott King Award? The Coretta Scott King Award dommemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his widow, Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination in continuing the work for peace and world brotherhood.
What does the award look like? Lev Mills, internationally known artist residing in Atlanta, GA, designed the seal to reflect the work and philosophy of Dr. King. In the center of the seal is an African American child reading a book. Below him are the symbols of the five religions (Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism) that represent non-sectarianism. Above the child is a dove representing peace. Around the circle, the words "peace," "non-violent social change," and "brotherhood" represent the philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The seal's original color was bronze. Now it contains both bronze and black elements. A pewter and black seal is given to the honor books. Winners also receive a framed citation, an honorarium of $250. and set of either the Encyclopedia Britannica or World Book. Honorable Mention recipients are given a certificate. |
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| YEAR | AUTHOR | TITLE (Curriculum Lab Call Number) |
| 2007 | Draper, Sharon | COPPER SUN (YP D766co) |
| (NT) | Jones, Traci L. | STANDING AGAINST THE WIND (YP J79st) |
| Grimes, Nikki | ROAD TO PARIS (YP G862ro) | |
| illustrator | Nelson, Kadir | MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM |
| Myers, Christopher | JAZZ | |
| Andrews, Benny | POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: LANGSTON HUGHES | |
| 2006 | Lester, Julius | DAY OF TEARS: A NOVEL IN DIALOGUE (YP L642da) |
| (NT) | Adoff, Jaime | JIMI & ME (YP A239ju) |
| Bolden, Tonya | MARITCHA: A NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN GIRL (YP 974.71 B687ma) | |
| Grimes, Nikki | DARK SONS (YP G862da) | |
| Nelson, Marilyn | A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL (J 811.54 N428wr) | |
| illustrator | Collier, Bryan | ROSA (J 92 R252gi) |
| Christie, R. Gregory | BROTHERS IN HOPE: THE STORY OF THE LOST BOYS OF SUDAN (J W725br) | |
| 2005 | Morrison, Toni | REMEMBER: THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL INTEGRATION (J 379.263 M882re) |
| (NT) | Hathoway, Barbara | MISSY, VIOLET AND ME (J H363mi) |
| Moses, Shelia P. | LEGEND OF BUDDY BUSH (YP M911le) | |
| Flake, Sharon | WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM (YP F567wh) | |
| Nelson, Marilyn | FORTUNE'S BONES: THE MANUMISSION REQUIEM (YP 811.54 N428fo) | |
| illustrator | Nelson, Kadir | ELLINGTON WAS NOT A STREET (JPB Shange) |
| illustrator (NT) | Morrison, Frank | JAZZY MIZ MOZETTA (JPB Roberts) |
| Pinkney, Jerry | GOD BLESS THE CHILD (JPB Herzog) | |
| Dillon, Leo and Diane | THE PEOPLE COULD FLY (J 398.2 H221pe) | |
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| 2004 | Johnson, Angela | FIRST PART LAST (YP J66fi) |
| (NT) | Smith, Hope Anita | WAY A DOOR CLOSES |
| McKissack, Patricia & Frederick | DAYS OF JUBILEE (YP 973.7 M158da) | |
| Woodson, Jacqueline | LOCOMOTION | |
| Draper, Sharon | BATTLE OF JERICHO | |
| illustrator | Bryan, Ashley | BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD (J 398.2 B915be) |
| illustrator (NT) | Brown, Elbrite | MY FAMILY PLAYS MUSIC |
| Bootman, Colin | ALMOST TO FREEDOM (J N431al) | |
| Nelson, Kadir | THUNDER ROSE (JPB Nolen) | |
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| 2003 | Grimes, Nikki | BRONX MASQUERADE (YP G862br) |
| (NT) | McDonald, Janet | CHILL WIND |
| Grimes, Nikki | TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE: THE STORY OF AVIATOR ELIZABETH COLEMAN | |
| Woods, Brenda | RED ROSE BOX | |
| illustrator | Lewis, E.B. | TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE: THE STORY OF AVIATOR ELIZABETH COLEMAN |
| illustrator (NT) | DuBurke, Randy | MOON RING |
| Dillon, Leo & Diane | RAP A TAP TAP: HERE'S BOJANGLES--THINK OF THAT | |
| Collier, Bryan | VISITING LANGSTON | |
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| 2002 | Taylor, Mildred D. | THE LAND (YP T244la) |
| (NT) | Wiles, Deborah | FREEDOM SUMMER |
| Flake, Sharon G. | MONEY HUNGRY (YP F576mo) | |
| Nelson, Marilyn | CARVER: A LIFE IN POEMS | |
| illustrator | Pinkney, Jerry | GOIN' SOMEPLACE SPECIAL |
| illustrator | Collier, Bryan | MARTIN'S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (J 92 K53ra) |
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| 2001 | Woodson. Jacqueline | MIRACLE'S BOYS (YP W895mi) |
| Pinkney, Andrea Davis | LET IT SHINE!: STORIES OF BLACK WOMEN FREEDOM FIGHTERS (YP 970.72 P655le) | |
| illustrator | Collier, Bryan | UPTOWN (JPB Collier) |
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| 2000 | Curtis, Christopher Paul | BUD, NOT BUDDY (YP C978bu) |
| English, Karen | FRANCIE (YP E58fr) | |
| McKissack, Patricia C. & McKissack, Frederick L. | BLACK HANDS, WHITE SAILS (YP 639.28 M151bl) | |
| Myers, Walter Dean | MONSTER (YP M996mn) | |
| illustrator | Pinkney, J. Brian | IN THE TIME OF THE DRUMS (J S571in) |
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| 1999 | Johnson, Angela | HEAVEN (YP J66he) |
| (NT) | Flake, Sharon G. | THE SKIN I'M IN |
| Grimes, Nikki | JAZMIN'S NOTEBOOK | |
| Hansen, Joyce & McGowan, Gary | BREAKING GROUND, BREAKING SILENCE: THE STORY OF NEW YORK'S AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND (YP 305.5 H249br) | |
| Johnson, Angela | THE OTHER SIDE: SHORTER POEMS | |
| illustrator | Wood, Michele | I SEE THE RHYTHM |
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| 1998 | Draper, Sharon M. | FORGED BY FIRE (YP D766fo) |
| Hansen, Joyce | I THOUGHT MY SOUL WOULD RISE AND FLY: THE DIARY OF PATSY, A FREED GIRL | |
| Haskins, James | BAYARD RUSTIN: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT (YP 92 R971ha) | |
| illustrator | Steptoe, Javaka | IN DADDY'S ARMS I AM TALL: AFRICAN AMERICANS CELEBRATING FATHERS (J 811.008 I35) |
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| 1997 | Myers, Walter Dean | SLAM! (YP M996sl) |
| McKissack, Patricia C. & McKissack, Fredrick L. | REBELS AGAINST SLAVER: AMERICAN SLAVE REVOLTS (YP 306.62 M158re) | |
| (NT) | Southgate, Martha | ANOTHER WAY TO DANCE |
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illustrator |
Pinkney, Jerry | MINTY: A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN (J 92 T885sc) |
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| 1996 | Hamilton, Virginia | HER STORIES: AFRICAN AMERICAN FOLKTALES, FAIRY TALES & TRUE TALES (YP 398.2 H221he) |
| Curtis, Christopher Paul | THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 (YP C978wa) | |
| Williams-Garcia, Rita | LIKE SISTERS ON THE HOMEFRONT (YP W726li) | |
| Woodson, Jacqueline | FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF MELANIN SUN | |
| illustrator | Feelings, Tom | MIDDLE PASSAGE: WHITE SHIPS BLACK CARGO (Stack 4 ND237 F32 A4 1995) |
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| 1995 | McKissack, Patricia C. & McKissack, Fredrick L. | CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG HOUSE, CHRISTMAS IN QUARTERS |
| (NT) | Draper, Sharon | TEARS OF A TIGER |
| Hansen, Joyce | THE CAPTIVE | |
| McKissack, Patricia C. & McKissack, Fredrick Jr. | BLACK DIAMOND: THE STORY OF THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES (GV875 Ai M35 1994..located on stack 3) | |
| Woodson, Jacqueline | I HADN'T MEANT TO TELL YOU THIS (YP W895i) | |
| illustrator | Ransome, James E. | CREATION |
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| 1994 | Johnson, Angela | TONING THE SWEEP (J J66to) |
| Myers, Walter Dean | MALCOLM X: BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY (YP 92 X1my) | |
| Thomas, Joyce Carol | BROWN HONEY IN BROOMWHEAT TEA (JPB Thomas) | |
| illustrator | Feelings, Tom | SOUL LOOKS BACK IN WONDER (J 811.508 S722) |
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| 1993 | McKissack, Patricia C. | THE DARK-THIRTY: SOUTHERN TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL (J 398.25 M158da) |
| McKissack, Patrica C & McKissack, Fredrick L. | SOJOURNER TRUTH: AIN'T I A WOMAN? (YP 92 T874mc) | |
| Myers, Walter Dean | SOMEWHERE IN THE DARKNESS (YP M966so) | |
| Walter, Mildred Pitts | MISSISSIPPI CHALLENGE (YP 305.896 W233mi) | |
| illustrator | Wilson, Kathleen Atkins | ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH: AN AFRICAN CREATION MYTH (J 398.21 A546or) |
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| 1992 | Myers, Walter Dean | NOW IS YOUR TIME! THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM (YP 973.0496 M966no) |
| Greenfield, Eloise | NIGHT ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET (J 811.54 G812ni) | |
| illustrator | Ringgold, Faith | TAR BEACH (JPB Ringgold) |
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| 1991 | Taylor, Mildred D. | THE ROAD TO MEMPHIS (YP T244ro) |
| Haskins, James | BLACK DANCE IN AMERICA: A HISTORY THROUGH ITS PEOPLE (YP 792.8089 H351bl) | |
| Johnson, Angela | WHEN I AM OLD WITH YOU (JPB Johnson) | |
| illustrator | Dillon, Leo & Diane | AIDA |
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| 1990 | McKissack, Patricia C. & McKissack, Fredrick L. | A LONG HARD JOURNEY: THE STORY OF THE PULLMAN PORTER |
| Greenfield, Eloise | NATHANIEL TALKING (JPB Greenfield) | |
| Hamilton, Virginia | THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS (J H222be) | |
| Patterson, Lillie | MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., & THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT (J 92 K53p) | |
| illustrator | Gilchrist, Jan Spivey | NATHANIEL TALKING (JPB Greenfield) |
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| 1989 | Myers, Walter Dean | FALLEN ANGELS (YP M996fa) |
| Berry, James | A THIEF IN THE VILLAGE & OTHER STORIES | |
| Hamilton, Virginia | ANTHONY BURNS: THE DEFEAT & TRIUMPH OF A FUGITIVE SLAVE (J 92 B967ha) | |
| illustrator | Pinkney, Jerry | MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND (JPB McKissack) |
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| 1988 | Taylor, Mildred D. | THE FRIENDSHIP (J T244fr) |
| De Veaux, Alexis | AN ENCHANTED HAIR TALE (JPB De Veaux) | |
| Lester, Julius | THE TALES OF UNCLE REMUS: THE ADVENTURES OF BRER RABBIT (J 398.2 L642ta) | |
| illustrator | Steptoe, John | MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS (JPB Steptoe & VCR M949) |
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| 1987 | Walter, Mildred Pitts | JUSTIN & THE BEST BISCUITS IN THE WORLD (J W233ju) |
| Bryan, Ashley | LION & THE OSTRICH CHICKS & OTHER AFRICAN TALES (J 398.2 B915li) | |
| Hansen, Joyce | WHICH WAY FREEDOM? (J H571wh) | |
| illustrator | Pinkney, Jerry | HALF A MOON & ONE WHOLE STAR (JPB Dragonwagon) |
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| 1986 | Hamilton, Virginia | THE PEOPLE COULD FLY: AMERICAN BLACK FOLKTALES (J 398.2 H221pe) |
| Hamilton, Virginia | JUNIUS OVER FAR | |
| Walter, Mildred Pitts | TROUBLE'S CHILD | |
| illustrator | Pinkney, Jerry | PATCHWORK QUILT (JBP Flournoy) |
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| 1985 | Myers, Walter Dean | MOTOWN & DIDI: A LOVE STORY |
| Boyd, Candy Dawson | CIRCLE OF GOLD | |
| Hamilton, Virginia | A LITTLE LOVE | |
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| 1984 | Clifton, Lucille | EVERETT ANDERSON'S GOODBYE (JPB Clifton) |
| Hamilton, Virginia | THE MAGICAL ADVENTURES OF PRETTY PEARL (YP H221ma) | |
| Haskins, James | LENA HORNE | |
| King, Coretta Scott | THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. | |
| Thomas, Joyce Carol | BRIGHT SHADOW | |
| Walter, Mildred Pitts | BECAUSE WE ARE | |
| illustrator | Cummings, Pat | MY MAMA NEEDS ME |
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| 1983 | Hamilton, Virginia | SWEET WHISPERS, BROTHER RUSH (YP H221s) |
| Lester, Julius | THIS STRANGE NEW FEELING (YP L642th) | |
| illustrator | Magubane, Peter | BLACK CHILD |
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| 1982 | Taylor, Mildred D. | LET THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN (YP T244le) |
| Childress, Alice | RAINBOW JORDAN (YP C536ra) | |
| Hunter, Kristin | LOU IN THE LIMELIGHT | |
| Mebane, Mary E. | MARY (YP M485ma) | |
| illustrator | Steptoe, John | MOTHER CROCODILE: AN UNCLE AMADOU TALE FROM SENEGAL |
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| 1981 | Poitier, Sidney | THIS LIFE |
| De Veaux, Alexis | DON'T EXPLAIN: A SONG OF BILLIE HOLIDAY | |
| illustrator | Bryan, Ashley | BEAT THE STORY DURM, PUM-PUM (J 398.2 B369) |
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| 1980 | Myers, Walter Dean | THE YOUNG LANDLORDS |
| Gordy, Berry Sr. | MOVIN' UP: POP GORDY TELLS HIS STORY | |
| Greenfield, Eloise & Little, Lessie Jones | CHILDTIMES: A THREE GENERATION MEMOIR (J 920.0092 G812) | |
| Haskins, James | ANDREW YOUNG: MAN WITH A MISSION | |
| Haskins, Jim | JAMES VANDERZEE: THE PICTURE TAKIN' MAN | |
| Southerland, Ellease | LET THE LION EAT STRAW | |
| illustrator | Byard, Carole | CORNROWS |
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| 1979 | Davis, Ossie | ESCAPE TO FREEDOM: A PLAY ABOUT YOUNG FREDERICK DOUGLASS |
| Fenner, Carol | THE SKATES OF UNCLE RICHARD | |
| Hamilton, Virginia | JUSTICE & HER BROTHERS | |
| Patterson, Lillie | BENJAMIN BANNEKER: GENIUS OF EARLY AMERICA (J 92 B219p) | |
| Peterson, Jeanne Whitehouse | I HAVE A SISTER, MY SISTER IS DEAF (J 362.7842 P485i) | |
| illustrator | Feelings, Tom | SOMETHING ON MY MIND (J 811.54 F295s) |
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| 1978 | Greenfield, Eloise | AFRICAN DREAM |
| Faulkner, William J. | THE DAYS WHEN THE ANIMALS TALKED: BLACK AMERICAN FOLKTALES & HOW THEY CAME TO BE | |
| Glass, Frankcina | MARVIN & TIGE | |
| Greenfield, Eloise | MARY McCLEOD BETHUNE | |
| Haskins, James | BARBARA JORDAN | |
| Patterson, Lillie | CORETTA SCOTT KING | |
| illustrator | Byard, Carole | AFRICAN DREAM |
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| 1977 | Haskins, James | THE STORY OF STEVIE WONDER |
| Blake, Clarence N. & Martin, Donald F. | QUIZ BOOK ON BLACK AMERICA | |
| Clifton, Lucille | EVERETT ANDERSON'S FRIEND | |
| Taylor, Mildred D. | ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY (J T244ro) | |
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| 1976 | Bailey, Pearl | DUEY'S TALE |
| Graham, Shirley | JULIUS K. NYERERE: TEACHER OF AFRICA | |
| Greenfield, Eloise | PAUL ROBESON | |
| Myers, Walter Dean | FAST SAM, COOL CLYDE & STUFF (YP M996f1) | |
| Taylor, Mildred D. | SONG OF THE TREES | |
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| 1975 | Robinson, Dorothy | THE LEGEND OF AFRICANIA (J R659l) |
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| 1974 | Mathis, Sharon Bell | RAY CHARLES |
| Cildress, Alice | A HERO AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A SANDWICH (YP C536h) | |
| Clifton, Lucille | DON'T YOU REMEMBER? | |
| Crane, Louise | MS. AFRICA: PROFILES OF MODERN AFRICAN WOMEN | |
| Hunter, Kristin | GUESTS IN THE PROMISED LAND | |
| Nagenda, John | MUKASA | |
| illustrator | Ford, George | RAY CHARLES |
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| 1973 | Duckett, Alfred | I NEVER HAD IT MADE |
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| 1972 | Fax, Elton C. | SEVENTEEN BLACK ARTISTS |
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| 1971 | Rollins, Charlemae | BLACK TROUBADOUR: LANGSTON HUGHES |
| Angelou, Maya | I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS (YP 92 A584i) | |
| Chisholm, Shirley | UNBOUGHT & UNBOSSED | |
| Evans, Mari | I AM A BLACK WOMAN (PS 35555 V22 I2...located on stack 5) | |
| Graham, Lorenz | EVERY MAN HEART LAY DOWN | |
| Grossman, Barney & Groom, Gladys | BLACK MEANS.... (JPB Grossman) | |
| Jordan, June & Bush, Terri | THE VOICE OF THE CHILDREN (YP 811.5408 J82v) | |
| Peters, Margaret | EBONY BOOK OF BLACK ACHIEVEMENT | |
| Udry, Janice May | MARY JO'S GRANDMOTHER | |
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| 1970 | Patterson, Lillie | MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: MAN OF PEACE |
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