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.
Here are some of the Winners from our catalog! Take a look at the Recipients page for the full list. Don’t forget to contact the Southfield Library to place items on hold if we don’t have a copy available right away!
 | Piecing Me Together Author Award Winner 2018 Watson, Renée In “Piecing Me Together,” published by Bloomsbury,Jade is a likable protagonist who is easy to root for. There are many stories that shape who we are as people—and Jade helps others express their feelings and thoughts about the world around them. Watson provides a multi-layered, yet necessary look at Black womanhood. Our Catalog |
 | Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets Illustrator Award Winner 2018 Illus. by Holmes, Ekua written by Alexander, Kwame In “Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets,” written by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth and published by Candlewick Press, Ekua Holmes’s mixed- media collage images balance the tone and tenor of the new poems created by the authors, while paying homage to each of the featured poets in the subtle details extracted from various aspects. Our Catalog |
 | The Stars Beneath Our Feet John Steptoe New Talent Winner 2018 Moore, David Barclay Our Catalog |
 | Mama Africa! How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with her Song John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Winner 2018 illus. by Palmer, Charly written by Erskine, Kathryn Our Catalog |
 | Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Author Honor Book 2018 Illustrator Honor Book 2018 Barnes, Derrick illus. by James, Gordon C. Our Catalog |
 | The Hate U Give Author Honor Book 2018 Thomas, Angie Our Catalog |
 | Long Way Down Author Honor Book 2018 Reynolds, Jason Our Catalog |
 | Before She Was Harriet: The Story of Harriet Tubman Illustrator Honor book 2018 Cline-Ransome, Lesa illus. by Ransome, James E. Our Catalog |
 | March: Book Three Author Award Winner 2017 Lewis, John & Aydin, Andrew Our Catalog |
 | Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Illustrator Award Winner 2017 written & illus. by Steptoe, Javaka Our Catalog |
 | The Sun is Also a Star John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2017 Yoon, Nicola Our Catalog |
 | As Brave As You Author Honor Book 2017 Reynolds, Jason Our Catalog |
 | Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives & Dreams Brought to Life Author Honor Book 2017 Illustrator Honor Book 2017 written & illus. by Bryan, Ashley Our Catalog |
 | Freedom in Congo Square Illustrator Honor Book 2017 Boston, Carole illus. by Christie, R. Gregory Our Catalog |
 | In Plain Sight Illustrator Honor Book 2017 Jackson, Richard illus. by Pinkney, Jerry Our Catalog |
 | Gone Crazy in Alabama Author Award Winner 2016 Williams-Garcia, Rita “Gone Crazy in Alabama” is the final book in Williams-Garcia’s trilogy about the Gaither sisters. She blends cultural and family history in a vivid, readable way, laced with humor. Each sister is a distinct individual, growing, changing, and helping to change the perspectives of their elders. Our Catalog |
 | Trombone Shorty Illustrator Award Winner 2016 Andrews, Troy & Taylor, Bill Illustrator: Collier, Bryan In “Trombone Shorty,” (written by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Bill Taylor), Collier creates vibrant, bold color collages and realistic images that portray the musical growth of a young boy in the jazz tradition of the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans. Our Catalog |
 | Hoodoo John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2016 Smith, Ronald L. “Hoodoo” is the rich, atmospheric tale of a boy trying to ward off an evil spirit in 1930s small-town Alabama. When the foreboding Stranger comes to town, Hoodoo Hatcher must use the folk magic passed down in his extended family to save the day. Our Catalog |
 | Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2016 Weatherford, Carole Boston Illustrator: Holmes, Ekua Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement” is a powerful biography of the heroic Civil Rights leader. Told with inspiring poetry and vivid images, Hamer’s humanity shines through in this impressive collection. Our Catalog |
 | All American Boys Author Honor Book 2016 Reynolds, Jason & Kiely, Brendan Our Catalog |
 | The Boy in the Black Suit Author Honor Book 2016 Reynolds, Jason Our Catalog |
 | X: A Novel Author Honor Book 2016 Shabazz, Ilyasah Our Catalog |
 | The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore Illustrator Honor Book 2016 Nelson, Vaunda Michaeux Illustrator: Christie, R. Gregory Our Catalog |
 | Last Stop on Market Street Illustrator Book 2016 de la Pena, Matt Illustrator: Robinson, Christian Our Catalog |
 | Brown Girl Dreaming Author Award Winner 2015 Woodson, Jaqueline An absorbing free verse memoir of a young girl growing up black and female in the 1960s and ‘70s full of arresting details and vivid imagery. Her choice of events and memories incorporate important historical events and her own evolution into the award-winning writer she has become. Our Catalog |
 | Firebird Illustrator Award Winner 2015 Copeland, Misty Illustrator: Myers, Christopher “The vibrant lines and colors mirror the movement of Copeland’s “Firebird”, says Patton. “Encased in gorgeous collages and endpaper, balletic poses, leaping and bounding into the air at tremendous heights spur the imagination and inspire a young girl’s hopes and dreams,” said Patton. Our Catalog |
 | When I was the Greatest John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2015 Reynolds, Jason Reynolds' lively and engaging portrayal of urban teenage boys is a compelling story about neighborhood, family, friendship, values and the acceptance of difference. Our Catalog |
 | The Crossover Author Honor Book 2015 Alexander, Kwame Our Catalog |
 | How I Discovered Poetry Author Honor Book 2015 Nelson, Marilyn Our Catalog |
 | How It Went Down Author Honor Book 2015 Magoon, Kekla Our Catalog |
 | Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker Illustrator Award Book 2015 Powell, Patricia Hruby Illustrator: Robinson, Christian Our Catalog |
 | Little Melba and Her Big Trombone Illustrator Honor Book 2015 Russell-Brown, Katheryn Illustrator: Morrison, Frank Our Catalog |
 | P.S. Be Eleven Author Award Winner 2014 Williams-Garcia, Rita In this spirited stand-alone sequel to “One Crazy Summer,” the Gaither sisters return to Brooklyn after a summer spent with their mother in Oakland, California. Delphine, Vonetta and Fern thrive in the tumultuous era of the late 1960s, but Delphine is tasked by her mother to, “P.S. Be Eleven.” Our Catalog |
 | Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me Illustrator Award Winner 2014 Beaty, Daniel Illustrator: Collier, Bryan Bryan Collier brings to life Daniel Beaty’s powerful narrative of a son’s longing for his absent father. With his distinctive watercolor and collage technique, Collier captures the nuances of the urban setting and the son’s journey to manhood. Our Catalog |
 | When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Here and the Creation of Hip-Hop John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2014 Hill, Laban Carrick Illustrator: Taylor III, Theodore Taylor's stylish artwork shows young Clive Campbell’s transformation into the DJ who helped launch hip-hop in the early 70’s. Using retro cartoon-style illustrations rendered in a palette that emphasizes browns, greens, reds and greys he transforms words on a page into a rhythmic beat that brings the words alive. Our Catalog |
 | March: Book One Author Honor Book 2014 Lewis, John & Aydin, Andrew Our Catalog |
 | Darius & Twig Author Honor Book 2014 Myers, Walter Dean Our Catalog |
 | Words with Wings Author Honor Book 2014 Grimes, Nikki Our Catalog |
 | Nelson Mandela Illustrator Honor Book 2014 Nelson, Kadir Our Catalog |
 | Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America Author Award 2013 Pinkney, Andrea Davis Our Catalog |
 | I, Too, Am America Illustrator Award Winner 2013 Hughes, Langston Illustrator: Collier, Bryan Our Catalog |
 | Each Kindness Author Honor Book 2013 Woodson, Jacqueline Our Catalog |
 | No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Micheaux, Harlem Bookselller Author Honor Book 2013 Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux Our Catalog |
 | Ellen's Broom Illustrator Honor Book 2013 Lyons, Kelly Stirling Illustrator: Minter, Daniel Our Catalog |
 | H.O.R.S.E. Illustrator Honor Book 2013 Myers, Christopher Our Catalog |
 | I Have a Dream: Martin King Luther Jr. Illustrator Honor Book 2013 King, Martin Luther Jr. Illustrator: Nelson, Kadir Our Catalog |
 | Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Author Award Winner 2012 Illustrator Honor Book 2012 Nelson, Kadir Our Catalog |
 | Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom Illustrator Award Winner 2012 Evans, Shane Our Catalog |
 | The Great Migration: The Journey to the North Author Honor Book 2012 Greenfield, Eloise Our Catalog |
 | Never Forgotten Author Honor Book 2012 McKissack, Patricia C. Our Catalog |