Jason Reynolds, Charles George ‘C.G.’ Esperanza win 2025 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

PHOENIX — Jason Reynolds, author of "Twenty-four Seconds from Now...” and C.G. Esperanza, illustrator of "My Daddy is a Cowboy,” are the winners of the 2025 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults.

Craig Kofi Farmer, author of "Kwame Crashes the Underworld,” and Jamiel Law, illustrator of "Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin,” are the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent winners.

The awards were announced today during the American Library Association’s (ALA) LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury of the ALA’s Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART). The awards encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts; promote an understanding and appreciation of the Black culture and experience; and commemorate the life and legacy of Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination in supporting the work of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for peace and world brotherhood.

“Twenty-four Seconds from Now...” was published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Events roll backward in varying 24 increments of time in this well-crafted, sweet and hilarious love story between two Black teens about to take a huge first step in their relationship. Reynolds’ authentic Black love story told in the believable voice of Neon will pull at your heartstrings and leave the reader wanting more.

Jason Reynolds is a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, an Odyssey Award Winner and two-time honoree, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. This is his first CSK Author Award.

“This authentic Black love story is a hilarious, heartfelt, refreshing read; it reminded me and reveals for others that Black boys love hard and with care,” said Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury Chair Dr. LaKeshia Darden.

“My Daddy is a Cowboy” was published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery and pride. With vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C.G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy.

For C.G. Esperanza, the South Bronx is where he first opened his eyelids. He paints fantasy worlds of elephants and castles, too! Accompanying this wonder is some whimsical truth. Charles has a voice that is seldom heard: a fusion of jazz, distorted guitars and chirping birds. Esperanza is an Odyssey Award winner, Pura Belpré and Coretta Scott King honors.

“The joy and energy of Esperanza’s illustrations nearly leap off the page as the reader becomes immersed in this father-daughter Black cowboy adventure around town,” Darden said.

The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent

The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent affirms new talent and offers visibility for excellence in writing and/or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published African American creator of children’s books.

This year’s Steptoe author award goes to Craig Kofi Farmer, author for "Kwame Crashes the Underworld” published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

This year’s Steptoe illustrator award goes to Jamiel Law, illustrator of “Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin” written by Michelle Meadows and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

“Farmer’s tale is rooted in Ghanaian spirituality and folklore; and through Kwame’s adventure this narrative tackles themes of grief, identity, and friendship.” Darden said.

“Law’s exuberant illustrations of James Baldwin bring Meadow’s text to life and introduce readers to Jimmy, his warm spirit and his love for the Black community,” Darden said.

Three King Author Honor Books were selected:

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

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

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

Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected:

“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: 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: 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.

Members of the 2025 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury are Chair Dr. LaKeshia Darden, St. Philip's College, San Antonio, Texas; Yolanda Bolden, Forsyth County Public Library, Winston Salem, North Carolina; Angela Durham, Oak Pointe Elementary School, Irmo, South Carolina; Dr. Andrea Jamison, Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal, Illinois; Malana Krongelb, Boston Public Library, Massachusetts; and Dr. Nancy Tolson, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org

For information on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

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