Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the Black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
Author Award Winners
(Juvenile Fiction - J Woodson)
ZJ’s father is a beloved professional football player, but when he begins to experience severe headaches, mood swings, and forgetfulness, ZJ must learn to cope with the truth that not every “happily ever after” can be counted on. This novel in verse is a unique take on sports and fame. 2021 author award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 811.54 Woo)
This memoir in verse recounts the author’s childhood memories growing up in the 1960s and 1970s in both the north and the south. Woodson’s heartfelt poems range in topics from her difficulty learning to read to family memories to her growing awareness of the Civil Rights Movement. 2015 author award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Teen - Downtown Teen Space - 305.896 Har)
After police refused to arrest the white man who threw a stone and killed 14-year-old Eugene Williams, the city of Chicago erupted into a race riot that led to lives lost and property destroyed. Author Claire Hartfield describes the brewing tensions between races and social classes that led to the riot and ensuing conflicts that have appeared in its wake. Includes photos and historical documents. 2019 author award winner. Note: This book is a part of the young adult collection. Recommended for ages 12–18.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Luqmand)
Deep in the swamplands lies a secret community called Freewater. When a 12-year-old slave named Homer escapes the plantation, leaving his mother behind, he finds Freewater a safe haven for formerly enslaved people. A page-turning and powerful exploration of a community of extraordinary resistance. 2023 author award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Luqmand)
Series: Gaither Sisters
The Gaither sisters—Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern—visit their grandmother Big Ma in 1969 rural Alabama. The girls learn their complicated family history and test their resilience and loyalty to each other while far away from their home in Brooklyn. The third book in the trilogy that began with One Crazy Summer and continued in P.S. Be Eleven. 2016 author award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Graphic Novels - GN 921 Lewis Lew)
Series: March
The conclusion to the March trilogy describes activist and congressman John Lewis’s firsthand experiences during the Civil Rights Movement, leading up to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Young readers will also learn about how this historic era in U.S. history connects to our country today. Includes art by Bloomingtonian Nate Powell! Note: This book is held in the young adult and adult collections. 2017 author award winner. Recommended for ages 11 and up.
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J-GN Craft New Kid)
Series: New Kid
Seventh-grader Jordan is the new kid at his private school, where there isn’t much diversity. He endures daily microaggressions and struggles to fit in, but his parents just don’t understand. A funny look at school that is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang. Jordan’s story continues in the next graphic novel, Class Act. 2020 author award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Young Adult Fiction - Y Zoboi)
After her mother disappears, 16-year-old Nigeria Jones questions her identity and place in the world. When she attends a majority-white Quaker high school after having been homeschooled within the Movement, a Black activist community created by her father, she begins to discover the complexities between and within communities. 2024 author award winner. Note: This book is a part of the young adult collection. Recommended for ages 12–18.
(Young Adult Fiction - Y Watson)
High school junior Jade is considered an “at-risk” student in her predominantly white private school. When she is offered to participate in a mentorship program for young women, she doubts her mentor Maxine can teach her anything she doesn’t already know. Eventually, Jade begins to overcome her self doubt and find her own voice. 2018 author award winner. Note: This book is a part of the young adult collection. Recommended for ages 12–18.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 976.686 Wea)
The wealth of “Black Wall Street” led to several successful Black-owned businesses in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, but to many white people living in neighboring districts, that success was a threat that needed to be destroyed. Simple text from Weatherford carries the weight of this historical tragedy while being accessible to children. Floyd Cooper’s realistic yet stylized art conveys the prosperity before the event, the stark horror of the event, and the difficult yet hopeful aftermath. 2023 author award and illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
Illustrator Award Winners
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 306.362 Ale)
“How do you tell a story that starts in Africa and ends in horror?” So begins this children’s book about the darkest and ugliest chapter in American history. Author Kwame Alexander tells us that bravery is necessary to talk about slavery in the classroom, even though it’s still painful. Beautiful sculptures, paintings, and illustrations by Dare Coulter display a range of emotions about the past and present. 2024 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Cop)
American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland shows an aspiring young dancer how to dance like the firebird. Copeland, the history-making African American ballerina, writes in spare poetic verse. Christopher Myers’s stylized mixed media collages show off the dancer’s flair. 2015 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–10.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 808.1 Ale)
The poems in this collection pay homage to some of the greatest poets in history. Each poem is styled after its subject, which can serve as a great introduction for younger readers. Illustrations by Ekua Holmes evoke the mood of the poetry with bright colors. 2018 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 780.92 Franklin Wea)
Aretha Franklin’s life is the subject of this picture book biography. Each page spells out a word that captures a moment in the iconic singer’s life, just like in her most famous song. Frank Morrison’s artwork creates evocative images that give space for kids to interpret their meaning. This book is G-R-E-A-T! 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 750.92 Basquiat Ste)
The story of Jean-Michel Basquiat is told in this picture book illustrated in the style of Basquiat himself. In addition to providing biographical information, Steptoe wonderfully demonstrates that art doesn’t have to be neat and inside the lines to be beautiful. 2017 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4-8.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Wea)
In this modern retelling of the classic spiritual, the sweeping history of the African American experience is portrayed in vivid paintings by Frank Morrison. Updated lyrics are combined with portrayals of famous historical figures like Nat Turner and Ruby Bridges to modern athletes like Florence Griffith Joyner and Colin Kaepernick. 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–9.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bau)
We are made from the stuff of stars. Author Marion Dane Bauer describes the creation of the universe, planets, and life with a sense of wonder. Illustrator Ekua Holmes creates figures that emerge from swirling colors, suggesting that everything in the universe is interconnected. 2019 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bau)
Young Troy lives in New Orleans and loves to pretend that he’s playing music just like his big brother James. When he finds a broken, beaten-up trombone, he plays it so much that people in the neighborhood begin to call him “Trombone Shorty.” Before long, he’s playing onstage with music legend Bo Diddly! 2016 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ale)
This poem is an ode to African Americans who have encountered many defeats, but remain undefeated. Kadir Nelson’s remarkable art shows striking faces looking straight at the reader, some serious, some joyful, and some hopeful. An afterword and description of those depicted help provide context for children unfamiliar with some of the faces. 2020 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–12.
Works About Coretta Scott King
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Sha)
Coretta Scott King’s childhood and participation in the Civil Rights Movement are lyrically described in this picture book biography. Kadir Nelson’s paintings show expressive faces and cinematic landscapes. A great companion to any of the several MLK Jr. picture book biographies. Recommended for ages 4–9.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Lyo)
Series: She Persisted
This brief chapter book biography of Coretta Scott King teaches readers that while Coretta Scott King may be mostly known as the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she was an important civil rights activist and leader in her own right. Part of the She Persisted biography series. Recommended for ages 8–11.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Kin)
In her own words, Coretta Scott King recounts her life, from growing up with parents who aspired to give her a better life to marrying Martin Luther King, Jr. and working as a civil rights activist after his sudden death. Kids who know King from black-and-white video footage can see her story come to life with vibrant illustrations by Ekua Holmes. Recommended for ages 7–10.