Coretta Scott King Award (1970-2007)

The Coretta Scott King Award is presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Task Force of the American Library Association's Social Responsibilities Round Table. Recipients are authors and illustrators of African descent whose distinguished books promote an understanding and appreciation of the "American Dream." The Award commemorates 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.

Click on the title to read a short summary of the book, and to place a hold.

The number in parentheses after each book is the year in which it was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award.

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper (2007)

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford (2007)

Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones (2007)

Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue by Julius Lester (2006)

Rosa illustrated by Bryan Collier, text by Nikki Giovanni (2006)

Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison (2005)

Ellington was Not a Street illustrated by Kadir Nelson, text by Ntozake Shange (2005)

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson (2004)

Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan (2004)

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes (2003)

Talkin' 'bout Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman illustrated by E.B. Lewis, text by Nikki Grimes (2003)

The Land by Mildred Taylor (2002)

Goin' Someplace Special illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Patricia McKissack (2002)

Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson (2001)

Uptown by Bryan Collier (2001)

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (2000)

In the Time of the Drums illustrated by Brian Pinkney, text by Kim L. Siegelson (2000)

Heaven by Angela Johnson (1999)

I See the Rhythm illustrated by Michele Wood, text by Toyomi Igus

Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper (1998)

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (1998)

Slam! by Walter Dean Myers (1997)

Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Alan Schroeder (1997)

Her Stories by Virginia Hamilton (1996)

The Middle Passage: White Ships Black Cargo by Tom Feelings (1996)

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack (1995)

The Creation illustrated by James Ransome, text by James Weldon Johnson (1995)

Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson (1994)

Soul Looks Back in Wonder illustrated by Tom Feelings, text by Maya Angelou, among others (1994)

Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia C. McKissack (1993)

The Origin of Life on Earth: An African Creation Myth illustrated by Kathleen Atkins Wilson, retold by David A. Anderson (1993)

Now is Your Time: The African American Struggle for Freedom by Walter Dean Myers (1992)

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (1992)

The Road to Memphis by Mildred D. Taylor (1991)

Aida illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, as told by Leontyne Price (1991)

A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter by Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack (1990)

Nathaniel Talking illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, text by Eloise Greenfield (1990)

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers (1989)

Mirandy and Brother Wind illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Patricia C. McKissack (1989)

The Friendship by Mildred D. Taylor (1988)

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe (1988)

Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Pitts Walter (1987)

Half a Moon and One Whole Star illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Crescent Dragonwagon (1987)

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton (1986)

The Patchwork Quilt illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Valerie Flournoy (1986)

Motown and Didi by Walter Dean Myers (1985)

Everett Anderson's Good-bye by Lucille Clifton (1984)

My Mama Needs Me illustrated by Pat Cummings, text by Mildred Pitts Walter (1984)

Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush by Virginia Hamilton (1983)

Black Child by Peter Magubane (1983)

Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred D. Taylor (1982)

Mother Crocodile; An Uncle Amadou Tale from Sengal illustrated by John Steptoe, text by Rosa Guy (1982)

This Life by Sidney Poitier (1981)

Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum by Ashley Bryan (1981)

The Young Landlords by Walter Dean Myers (1980)

Cornrows illustrated by Carole Byard, text by Camille Yarbrough (1980)

Escape to Freedom by Ossie Davis (1979)

Something on My Mind illustrated by Tom Feelings, text by Nikki Grimes (1979)

Africa Dream illustrated by Carole Bayard, text by Eloise Greenfield (1978)

The Story of Stevie Wonder by James Haskins (1977)

Duey's Tale by Pearl Bailey (1976)

The Legend of Africana by Dorothy Robinson (1975)

Ray Charles illustrated by George Ford, text by Sharon Bell Mathis (1974)

I Never Had It Made: The Autobiography of Jackie Robinson as told to Alfred Duckett (1973)

Seventeen Black Artists by Elton C. Fax (1972)

Black Troubador: Langston Hughes by Charlemae Rollins (1971)

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace by Lillie Patterson (1970)