2025 Winners and Honors

2025 Author Winner

24 Seconds From Now

"Twenty-four Seconds from Now...,” written by Jason Reynolds and published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

2025 Illustrator Winner

My Daddy

“My Daddy Is a Cowboy,” illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Stephanie Seales and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

2025 Author Honor Titles

Black Girl You Are Atlas

“Black Girl You Are Atlas,” written by Renée Watson, illustrated by Ekua Holmes and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Black Star

“Black Star, written by Kwame Alexander and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group.

One Big Open Sky

“One Big Open Sky,” written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and published by Holiday House.

2025 Illustrator Honor Titles

Coretta

"Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King," illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds and published by Godwin Books, an imprint of Henry Holt and Company.

Everywhere Beauty is Harlem

"Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava," illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Gary Golio and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.

Go Forth and Tell

"Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller," illustrated by April Harrison, written by Breanna J. McDaniel and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner

Kwame Crashes the Underworld

“Kwame Crashes the Underworld," written by Craig Kofi Farmer, is the Steptoe author award winner. The book is published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner

Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues

“Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin,” illustrated by Jamiel Law, is the Steptoe illustrator award winner. The book is written by Michelle Meadows and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.