Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners

Last updated: January 23, 2024 by Regan McMahon

Each winter (in 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 most recent winners and honor books at the top. And for more excellent picks, try these Award-Winning African American Books.

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Last Stop on Market Street Poster Image
BOOK

Last Stop on Market Street

age 3+

Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.

By: Matt de la Peña (2015)
Big book cover: Black girl in a tutu holding the letter "i" in the title
BOOK

Big

age 4+

Powerful picture book about girl who's told she's too big.

By: Vashti Harrison (2023)
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race Poster Image
BOOK

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

age 4+

Picture book intro to important, inspirational story.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul Poster Image
BOOK

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

age 4+

Dazzling art captures Aretha's career and activism.

Sulwe Poster Image
BOOK

Sulwe

age 4+

Girl learns to embrace her dark skin in magical tale.

By: Lupita Nyong'o (2019)
The Stuff of Stars Poster Image
BOOK

The Stuff of Stars

age 4+

Poetic book introduces big cosmic concepts to little humans.

By: Marion Dane Bauer (2018)
Trombone Shorty Poster Image
BOOK

Trombone Shorty

age 4+

Fun, upbeat story of a boy, a trombone, and jazz.

By: Troy Andrews (2015)
What Is Given from the Heart Poster Image
BOOK

What Is Given from the Heart

age 4+

Lovely art, heartwarming story about the joy of giving.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Poster Image
BOOK

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

age 5+

Joyful, foot-tapping celebration of fresh haircut, culture.

By: Derrick Barnes (2017)
Firebird Poster Image
BOOK

Firebird

age 5+

Soaring, rhythmic story for dancers with big dreams.

By: Misty Copeland (2014)
Freedom in Congo Square Poster Image
BOOK

Freedom in Congo Square

age 5+

Enslaved people's culture, jazz roots shine in lyrical book.

My People Poster Image
BOOK

My People

age 5+

Photos bring sparkling tone to simple poem of celebration.

By: Langston Hughes (2009)
Soul Food Sunday Poster Image
BOOK

Soul Food Sunday

age 5+

Warm story shows Sundays as time for family, love, food.

By: Winsome Bingham (2021)
Langston Hughes resting on a crown, other Black characters hold up the crown while dancing against a blue background.
BOOK

There Was a Party for Langston

age 5+

Upbeat ode honors famous activist and word-making man.

By: Jason Reynolds (2023)
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Poster Image
BOOK

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

age 6+

Award-winning historical story told in free verse.

By: Laban Carrick Hill (2010)
Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan Poster Image
BOOK

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan

age 6+

Document inspires vivid, moving portraits of enslaved lives.

By: Ashley Bryan (2016)
I Have a Dream Poster Image
BOOK

I Have a Dream

age 6+

Stunning art amplifies meaning of King's words for kids.

By: Kadir Nelson (2012)
Nelson Mandela Poster Image
BOOK

Nelson Mandela

age 6+

Stellar art portrays key aspects of Mandela's life for kids.

By: Kadir Nelson (2013)
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone Poster Image
BOOK

Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

age 6+

Bold story of famed singer's life and civil rights activism.

By: Traci N. Todd (2021)
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Poster Image
BOOK

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

age 6+

Exuberant bio celebrates artist who had success when young.

By: Javaka Steptoe (2016)