Christchurch City Libraries lists literary prize winners and links to catalogue searches, but we may not hold copies of all titles mentioned. See more kids literary prize winners.
The Coretta Scott King Award honours African-American authors and illustrators for outstanding contributions to children’s and young adult literature that promotes understanding and appreciation of the culture and contribution of all people to the realisation of the American Dream. It is awarded by the American Library Association.
2024
Author
Nigeria Jones Ibi Zoboi
Illustrator
An American Story Dare Coulter
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
Author
There Goes the Neighborhood Jade Adia
Illustrator
We Could Fly Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
2023
Author
Freewater Amina Luqman-Dawson
Illustrator
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual illustrated by Frank Morrison
John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)
We Deserve Monuments Jas Hammonds
2022
Author
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre illustrated by Floyd Cooper
John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)
Me (Moth) Amber McBride
2021
Author
Before the Ever After Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul Frank Morrison
John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)
Legendborn Tracy Deonn
2020
Author
New Kid Jerry Craft
Illustrator
The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander
2020 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)
Genesis Begins Again Alicia D. Williams
2020 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator)
What comes from the heart illustrated by April Harrison
2019
Author
A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Claire Hartfield
Illustrator
The Stuff of Stars Marion Dane Bauer
2018
Author
Piecing me together Renée Watson
Illustrator
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets Ekua Holmes
2017
Author
March: Book Three John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
Illustrator
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Javaka Steptoe
2016
Author
Gone Crazy in Alabama Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrator
Trombone Shorty Bryan Collier
2015
Author
Brown girl dreaming Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator
Firebird Christopher Myers
2014
Author
P.S. Be eleven Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrator
Knock knock: my dad's dream for me Bryan Collier
2013
Author
Hand in hand: ten black men who changed America Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator
I, too, am America Bryan Collier, text by Langston Hughes
2012
Author
Heart and soul: the story of America and African Americans
Kadir Nelson
Illustrator
Underground: finding the light to freedom Shane W. Evans
2011
Author
One crazy summer Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrator
Dave the potter: artist, poet, slave Bryan Collier, text by Laban Carrick Hill
2010
Author
Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall Vaunda Micheaux Nelson; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Illustrator
My people Charles R. Smith, Jr
2009
Author
We are the ship: the story of Negro League baseball Kadir Nelson
Illustrator
The blacker the berry Floyd Cooper
2008
Author
Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis
Illustrator
Let it shine Ashley Bryan
2007
Author
Copper sun Sharon Draper
Illustrator
Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom Kadir Nelson; text by Carole Boston Weatherford
2006
Author
Day of tears: a novel in dialogue Julius Lester
Illustrator
Rosa Bryan Collier, text by Nikki Giovanni
2005
Author
Remember: the journey to school integration Toni Morrison
Illustrator
Ellington was not a street Kadir A. Nelson; text by Ntozake Shange
2004
Author
The first part last Angela Johnson
Illustrator
Beautiful blackbird Ashley Bryan
2003
Author
Bronx masquerade Nikki Grimes
Illustrator
Talkin’ about Bessie: the story of aviator Elizabeth Coleman E. B. Lewis
2002
Author
The land Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator
Goin’ someplace special Jerry Pinkney; text by Patricia McKissack
2001
Author
Miracle’s boys Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator
Uptown Bryan Collier
2000
Author
Bud, not Buliy Christopher Paul Curtis
Illustrator
In the time of the drums Brian Pinkney; text by Kim L. Siegelson
1999
Author
Heaven Angela Johnson
Illustrator
I see the rhythm Michele Wood; text by Toyomi Igus
1998
Author
Forged by fire Sharon M. Draper
Illustrator
In Daliy’s arms I am tall: African Americans celebrating fathers Javaka Steptoe; text by Alan Schroeder
1997
Author
Slam Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator
Minty: a story of young Harriet Tubman Jerry Pinkney; text by Alan Schroeder
1996
Author
Her stories Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator
The Midule Passage: white ships black cargo Tom Feelings
1995
Author
Christmas in the big house, Christmas in the quarters Patricia C. & Frederick L. McKissack
Illustrator
The creation James Ransome; text by James Weldon Johnson
1994
Author
Toning the sweep A. Johnson
Illustrator
Soul looks back in wonder T. Feelings
1993
Author
Dark thirty Patricia McKissack
Illustrator
Origin of life on Earth K. A. Wilson
1992
Author
Now is your time: the African American struggle for freedom Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator
Tar Beach Faith Ringgold
1991
Author
Road to Memphis Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator
Aida Leo & Diane Dillon; text by Leontyne Price
1990
Author
A long hard journey: the story of the Pullman porter Patricia & Frederick McKissack
Illustrator
Nathaniel talking Jan Spivey Gilchrist; text by Eloise Greenfield
1989
Author
Fallen angels Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator
Mirandy and Brother Wind Jerry Pinkney; text by Patricia McKissack
1988
Author
The friendship Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator
Mufaro’s beautiful daughters: an African tale John Steptoe
1987
Author
Justin and the best biscuits in the world Mildred Pitts Walter
Illustrator
Half a moon and one whole star Jerry Pinkney; text by Crescent Dragonwagon
1986
Author
The people could fly: American Black folktales Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator
The patchwork quilt Jerry Pinkney; text by Valerie Flournoy
1985
Author
Motown and Didi Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator
No award
1984
Author
Everett Anderson’s good-bye Lucille Clifton
Illustrator
My Mama needs me Pat Cummings; text by Mildred Pitts Walter
1983
Author
Sweet whispers, Brother Rush Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator
Black child Peter Magubane
1982
Author
Let the circle be unbroken Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator
Mother Crocodile: An Uncle Amadou tale from Senegal John Steptoe; text by Rosa Guy
1981
Author
This life Sidney Poitier
Illustrator
Beat the story drum, Pum-Pum Ashley Bryan
1980
Author
The young landlords Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator
Cornrows Carole Bayard; text by Camille Yarborough
1979
Author
Escape to freedom: a play about young Frederick Douglass Ossie Davis
Illustrator
Something on my mind Tom Feelings; text by Nikki Grimes
1978
Author
Africa dream Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator
Africa dream Carole Bayard; text by Eloise Greenfield
1977
Author
The story of Stevie Wonder James Haskins
Illustrator
No award
1976
Author
Duey’s tale Pearl Bailey
Illustrator
No award
1975
Author
The Legend of Africania Dorothy Robinson
Illustrator
No award
1974
Author
Ray Charles Sharon Bell Mathis
Illustrator
Ray Charles George Ford; text by Sharon Bell Mathis
1973
Author
I never had it made: the autobiography of Jackie Robinson Alfred Duckett
1972
Author
17 Black Artists Elton C. Fax
1971
Author
Black troubadour: Langston Hughes Charlemae Rollins
1970
Author
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., man of peace Lillie Patterson
