The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually 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 award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
Winners
2024
Author Ibi Zoboi Nigeria Jones
Illustrator Dare Coulter An American Story, written by Kwame Alexander
New Talent Author Jade Adia There Goes the Neighborhood
New Talent Illustrator Briana Mukodiri Uchendu We Could Fly, written by Rhiannon Giddens
2023
Author Amina Luqman-Dawson Freewater
Illustrator Frank Morrison Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
New Talent Author Jas HammondsWe Deserve Monuments
New Talent Illustrator Janelle Washington Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement, written by Angela Joy
2022
Author Carole Boston Weatherford Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
Illustrator Carole Boston Weatherford Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
New Talent Amber McBride Me (Moth)
2021
Author Jacqueline Woodson Before the Ever After
Illustrator Frank Morrison R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul
New Talent Tracy Deonn Legendborn
2020
Author Jerry Craft New Kid
Illustrator Kadir Nelson The Undefeated
New Talent Alicia D. Williams Genesis Begins Again
Click here for more winners, going back to 1970!