The Coretta Scott King Book Award is a prestigious honor presented annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature. Established to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to honor his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the award recognizes books that reflect the African American experience and universal human values.
History of the Award
The idea for the Coretta Scott King Book Award originated in 1969 during an American Library Association (ALA) conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Librarians Mabel McKissick and Glyndon Flynt Greer, along with publisher John M. Carroll, noted the absence of recognition for minority writers in existing literary awards. This observation led to the formation of a task force dedicated to promoting the creation of a new award. The award was named to honor both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, acknowledging their contributions to civil rights and peace. The first award was presented in 1970 to Lillie Patterson for her biography “Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace.”
Purpose and Criteria
The Coretta Scott King Book Award serves multiple purposes:
Encouragement of Artistic Expression: It promotes the artistic expression of the African American experience through literature and graphic arts, including biographical, historical, and social treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
Cultural Appreciation: The award aims to foster understanding and appreciation of African American culture and its contributions to the broader American societal fabric.
Commemoration and Honor: It commemorates the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honors Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her dedication to peace and world brotherhood.
To be eligible for the award, a book must:
Portray African American Experience: It should depict some aspect of the Black experience, whether past, present, or future.
Authorship and Illustration: It must be written and illustrated by African Americans.
Publication Date: The book must be published in the U.S. in the year preceding the award presentation.
Original Work: It must be an original creation.
Quality Writing: The book should meet established standards of quality, including clear plot development, well-drawn characters that show growth, appropriate writing style for the intended age group, and accuracy.
Target Audience: It should be written for youth in one of the following categories:
Preschool to Grade 4
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Illustration Quality: Illustrations should enhance the story, leading readers to appreciate beauty and stimulating their imagination.
Categories and Honors
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are presented in several categories:
Author Award: Given to an African American author for an outstanding book that portrays the Black experience.
Illustrator Award: Presented to an African American illustrator for distinguished illustrations in a book that reflects the Black experience.
Honor Books: Additional books that meet the award criteria but do not receive the main award are designated as Honor Books.
John Steptoe Award for New Talent: Occasionally awarded to new African American authors or illustrators who show exceptional promise.
Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Presented biennially to an African American author, illustrator, or practitioner who has made significant and lasting contributions to children’s and young adult literature.
Recent Winners
The 2025 Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognized the following individuals:
Author Winner: Jason Reynolds for “Twenty-four Seconds from Now…”
Illustrator Winner: C.G. Esperanza for “My Daddy Is a Cowboy,” written by Stephanie Seales.
These winners exemplify the award’s commitment to honoring excellence in literature and illustration that authentically represent the African American experience.
Significance and Impact
The Coretta Scott King Book Award holds significant importance in the literary world:
Promotion of Diversity: It ensures that children’s and young adult literature includes diverse perspectives, fostering a more inclusive literary landscape.
Educational Resource: Educators and librarians often turn to award-winning books to enrich curricula and provide students with diverse reading materials.
Cultural Representation: The award highlights stories and illustrations that reflect the richness of African American culture, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of American history and society.
Conclusion
The Coretta Scott King Book Award stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. By honoring outstanding African American authors and illustrators, the award not only celebrates literary and artistic excellence but also promotes cultural understanding and appreciation. As we look forward to future recipients, the Coretta Scott King Book Award continues to inspire and educate, ensuring that the stories and experiences of African Americans are shared and valued by readers of all backgrounds.
