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Coretta Scott King Book Award
The Coretta Scott King Book Award is presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Committee of the American Library Association's Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT).
The award (or awards) is given to an African American author and an African American illustrator for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution. The books promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream. The Award is further 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 and world brotherhood.
The award is presented at the annual conference of the American Library Association. The award consists of a plaque and a cash award of $1,000 donated by Johnson Publications to the author and Book Wholesalers to the illustrator. Encyclopedia Britannica and World Book donate sets of encyclopedias (Britannica to the author, and World Book to the illustrator).
Deadline for nominations is December 1 of each year.
Purpose
To encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
Selection Criteria
- Must portray some aspect of the African American experience, past, present, or future.
- Must be written/illustrated by a African American.
- Must be published in the U.S. in the year preceding presentation of the Award.
- Must be original work
- Must be written for a youth audience in one of the three categories:
- Preschool–grade 4
- Grades 5–8
- Grades 9–12
- Must meet established standards of quality writing for youth which include:
- Clear plot
- Well-drawn characters which portray growth and development during the course of the story
- Writing style which is consistent with and suitable to the age intended
- Accuracy
- Particular attention will be paid to titles that seek to motivate readers to develop their own attitudes and behaviors as well as comprehend their personal duty and responsibility as citizens in a pluralistic society.
- Illustrations should reflect established qualitative standards as identified in the statement below.
Illustrations should “heighten and extend the reader's awareness of the world around him. They should lead him to an appreciation of beauty. The style and content of the illustrations should be ... neither coy nor condescending ... Storytelling qualities should enlarge upon the story elements that were hinted at in the text and should include details that will awaken and strengthen the imagination of the reader and permit him to interpret the works and pictures in a manner unique to him.” Cianciolo, Illustrations in Children's Books (p. 24.25)
The CSK Award Jury also chooses the winners of the John Steptoe Award for New Talent Award winners. These books affirm new talent and offer visibility to excellence in writing or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published book creator.
CSK Review Books Donation Grant
Do you need books for an after-school program, family literacy project, or homeless shelter? Do you operate a small underfunded school or public library? Find out how you can receive a number of books through the Book Grant.
Coretta Scott King Awards 1970–2004, edited by Henrietta M. Smith
Comprehensive listings and annotations of all winners of the Coretta Scott King Awards from 1969 to 2004. For detailed information or to order the new book, visit the ALA Online Store.
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