Previously, the award alternated by year. In even years (i.e., 2026, 2024), it was presented to an African American author, illustrator, or author/illustrator. In odd years (i.e., 2025, 2023), the award was presented to a practitioner.
The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.
Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of “Will’s Race for Home,” and R. Gregory Christie, illustrator of “The Library in the Woods,” are the winners of the 2026 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Arriel Vinson, author of “Under the Neon Lights,” is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner.
Kadir Nelson is the recipient of the 2026 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced today during the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.
The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24-27 in 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.
Carolyn L. Garnes is the recipient of the 2025 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced today during the American Library Association’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix.
Philadelphia — Literacy Nation Inc., in partnership with the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), our Supporter and partners, is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon. This exciting event will take place...
CHICAGO — The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART) invites the community to celebrate and recognize the 2024 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe New Talent author and illustrator winners. The John Steptoe New Talent Award is...
BALTIMORE — Ibi Zoboi, author of “Nigeria Jones,” and Dare Coulter, illustrator of “An American Story,” are the winners of the 2024 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and...
BALTIMORE — Christopher Paul Curtis received the 2024 Coretta Scott King (CSK) – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced today during the Youth Media Awards at the American Library Association’s (ALA) LibLearnX: The...
NEW ORLEANS — Amina Luqman-Dawson, author of “Freewater” and Frank Morrison, illustrator of “Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual” are the winners of the 2023 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American...
Dr. Claudette McLinn is the recipient of the 2023 Coretta Scott King -Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held Jan. 27-30, in New Orleans.
