Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners

Each winter (either January or February), the Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The committee that selects the awards is part of the American Library Association. The author or illustrator must live in the United States or maintain dual residency/citizenship, and the book must have been published in the preceding year. Check out our list, with the 2019 winners at the top. And for more excellent picks, try these Award-Winning African American Books.

Browse Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners

Poetic tribute to African American heroes and struggles.
By Kwame Alexander
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.
By Jerry Craft
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Girl learns to embrace her dark skin in magical tale.
By Lupita Nyong'o
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Lovely art, heartwarming story about the joy of giving.
By Patricia C. McKissack
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Teen connects with African folklore in exciting fantasy.
By Kwame Mbalia
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Moving, interwoven stories of Black middle schoolers.
By Jason Reynolds
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits.
By Alicia D. Williams
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Teen girls fall in love, face death in breathtaking tale.
By Junauda Petrus
(2019)
(2019)
Continue reading
Poetic book introduces big cosmic concepts to little humans.
By Marion Dane Bauer
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
In lovely, moving story, boy who lost mom discovers poetry.
By Lesa Cline-Ransome
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
Picture book intro to important, inspirational story.
By Margot Lee Shetterly, Winifred Conkling
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
The Parker Inheritance Book Poster Image
Kids investigate past racist incident in thrilling mystery.
By Varian Johnson
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
Heartwarming story of friendship and adventure.
By Kekla Magoon
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
Gripping thriller about a girl disappearing without a trace.
By Tiffany D. Jackson
(2018)
(2018)
Continue reading
Joyful, foot-tapping celebration of fresh haircut, culture.
By Derrick Barnes
(2018)
(2017)
Continue reading
Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.
By Angie Thomas
(2017)
(2017)
Continue reading
Long Way Down Book Poster Image
Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.
By Jason Reynolds
(2017)
(2017)
Continue reading
Piecing Me Together Book Poster Image
Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art.
By Renée Watson
(2017)
(2017)
Continue reading
March: Book Three Book Poster Image
Uplifting finale to terrific series reveals tragic violence.
By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
(2016)
(2016)
Continue reading
Document inspires vivid, moving portraits of slaves' lives.
By Ashley Bryan
(2016)
(2016)
Continue reading
Poignant summer adventure brims with family love and hope.
By Jason Reynolds
(2016)
(2016)
Continue reading
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Book Poster Image
Exuberant bio celebrates artist who had success when young.
By Javaka Steptoe
(2017)
(2016)
Continue reading
Freedom in Congo Square Book Poster Image
Slaves' lives, jazz roots shown in stunning nonfiction book.
By Carole Boston Weatherford
(2017)
(2016)
Continue reading
Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.
By Matt de la Peña
(2015)
(2015)
Continue reading
Fun, upbeat story of a boy, a trombone, and jazz.
By Troy Andrews
(2016)
(2015)
Continue reading
Lively tale of store that aided civil rights struggle.
By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
(2016)
(2015)
Continue reading
Harrowing tale of Gaither girls' summer in the South.
By Rita Williams-Garcia
(2015)
(2015)
Continue reading
Hoodoo Book Poster Image
Creepy chills galore in Southern supernatural thriller.
By Ronald L. Smith
(2016)
(2015)
Continue reading
Frank, poetic picture book bio has dazzling art.
By Carole Boston Weatherford
(2016)
(2015)
Continue reading
Soul-gripping story of teen's grief and hope.
By Jason Reynolds
(2016)
(2015)
Continue reading
Haunting tale of two boys' lives changed by police assault.
By Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
(2015)
(2015)
Continue reading
Soaring, rhythmic story for dancers with big dreams.
By Misty Copeland
(2014)
(2014)
Continue reading
Photos bring sparkling tone to simple poem of celebration.
By Langston Hughes
(2010)
(2009)
Continue reading
Amazing award-winning historical story told in free verse.
By Laban Carrick Hill
(2011)
(2010)
Continue reading
Stunning art amplifies meaning of King's words for kids.
By Kadir Nelson
(2013)
(2012)
Continue reading
Words and watercolors sing in a voice as deep as the river.
By Langston Hughes
(2010)
(2009)
Continue reading
Stellar art portrays key aspects of Mandela's life for kids.
By Kadir Nelson
(2013)
(2013)
Continue reading
Insightful, kid-friendly intro to the history of hip-hop.
By Laban Carrick Hill
(2013)
(2013)
Continue reading
Lively profile of a brave man living in a dangerous time.
By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
(2010)
(2009)
Continue reading
The Crossover Book Poster Image
Soaring, poignant, novel in verse hits all the right spots.
By Kwame Alexander
(2014)
(2014)
Continue reading
Funny, powerful tale of formerly enslaved in Canada.
By Christopher Paul Curtis
(2007)
(2007)
Continue reading
Captivating storytelling makes these heroes relatable.
By Andrea Davis Pinkney
(2013)
(2012)
Continue reading
Beautifully illustrated account of African-American history.
By Kadir Nelson
(2011)
(2011)
Continue reading
Tween coming-of-age set amid shifting family, '60s dynamics.
By Rita Williams-Garcia
(2013)
(2013)
Continue reading
Amazing paintings + compelling history = a grand slam.
By Kadir Nelson
(2009)
(2008)
Continue reading
Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.
By Jacqueline Woodson
(2014)
(2014)
Continue reading
Haunting look at killing of unarmed African American teen.
By Kekla Magoon
(2015)
(2014)
Continue reading
Ninth Ward Book Poster Image
Gripping story of a girl's bravery during Hurricane Katrina.
By Jewell Parker Rhodes
(2011)
(2010)
Continue reading
A gem, with strong girl characters, '60s black history.
By Rita Williams-Garcia
(2010)
(2010)
Continue reading
How I Discovered Poetry Book Poster Image
Poet's moving memoir in free verse charts '50s childhood.
By Marilyn Nelson
(2015)
(2014)
Continue reading
March: Book One Book Poster Image
Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.
By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
(2013)
(2013)
Continue reading
Quiet, sometimes poetic story of teens' scholarship quest.
By Walter Dean Myers
(2013)
(2013)
Continue reading