Coretta Scott King Author Award
Coretta Scott King Author Award references 55 books assigned across applicable K-12 grade levels in US schools.
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The Coretta Scott King Author Award is presented annually by the American Library Association to an outstanding African American author of a book for children or teens. Established in 1970, it honors works that demonstrate appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
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55 books referenced
A Few Red DropsClaire Hartfield
A Long Hard JourneyPat McKissack
Africa DreamEloise Greenfield
Bad News for OutlawsVaunda Micheaux Nelson
Before the Ever AfterJacqueline Woodson
Bronx MasqueradeNikki Grimes
Brown Girl DreamingJacqueline Woodson · 990L
Bud, Not BuddyChristopher Paul Curtis · 950L
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the QuartersPat McKissack
Copper SunSharon Draper
Day of TearsJulius Lester- Duey's TalePearl BaileyDuey's TalePearl Bailey
Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)Christopher Paul Curtis
Escape to FreedomOssie Davis
Everett Anderson's GoodbyeLucille Clifton
Fallen AngelsWalter Dean Myers- Forged by FireSharon M. DraperForged by FireSharon M. Draper
FreewaterAmina Luqman-Dawson
Gone Crazy in AlabamaRita Williams-Garcia
Hand in HandAndrea Davis Pinkney
Heart and SoulKadir Nelson
Heart and SoulKadir Nelson
HeavenBill Johnson- Her StoriesVirginia HamiltonHer StoriesVirginia Hamilton
Show all 55 titles
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- I Never Had It Made · Jackie Robinson · Buy →
- Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World · Mildred Walter · Buy →
- Let the Circle Be Unbroken · Mildred D. Taylor · Buy →
- March Book Three · John Lewis · Buy →
- Martin Luther King Jr.: Man of Peace · Lillie Patterson · Buy →
- Miracle's Boys · Jacqueline Woodson · Buy →
- Motown and Didi · Walter Dean Myers · Buy →
- New Kid · Jerry Craft · Buy →
- Nigeria Jones · Ibi Zoboi · Buy →
- Now Is Your Time · Walter Dean Myers · Buy →
- One Crazy Summer · Rita Williams-Garcia · Buy →
- P.S. Be Eleven · Rita Williams-Garcia · Buy →
- Piecing Me Together · Renée Watson · Buy →
- Ray Charles · Sharon Bell Mathis · Buy →
- Remember · Toni Morrison · Buy →
- Slam · Walter Dean Myers · Buy →
- Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush · Virginia Hamilton · Buy →
- The Dark-Thirty · Patricia McKissack · Buy →
- The First Part Last · Angela Johnson · Buy →
- The Friendship · Mildred D. Taylor · Buy →
- The Land · Mildred D. Taylor · Buy →
- The Legend of Africania · Dorothy W. Robinson · Buy →
- The People Could Fly · Virginia Hamilton · Buy →
- The Road to Memphis · Mildred D. Taylor · Buy →
- The Story of Stevie Wonder · James Haskins · Buy →
- The Young Landlords · Walter Dean Myers · Buy →
- Toning the Sweep · Angela Johnson · Buy →
- Twenty-Four Seconds from Now . . . · Jason Reynolds · Buy →
- Unspeakable · Carole Boston Weatherford · Buy →
- We Are the Ship · Kadir Nelson · Buy →
- Will's Race for Home · Jewell Parker Rhodes · Buy →
Reading the whole Coretta Scott King Author Award reading list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.
Listen free on Audiblestarts instantlyNew members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
About this curriculum framework
This curriculum is one of dozens of named English Language Arts frameworks tracked across US public-school districts. Frameworks differ in scope (district-level vs state-level vs national), in mandate (required vs recommended vs elective), and in how prescriptive their reading lists are (single fixed text list vs broad reading-pool selection).
The book list below represents titles cited as required, recommended, or commonly assigned within this framework, sourced from the framework's primary documentation (or, where the framework is administered at district level, from public district curriculum pages). Each book's detail page links the specific source document for that citation.
How to use this Coretta Scott King Author Award reading list
The book list above represents titles ReadingList has confirmed as referenced by Coretta Scott King Author Award— either through the framework’s own published documentation, through audited classroom syllabi citing the framework, or through US state and district curriculum guides that map their reading expectations to it. Each book’s detail page links the specific primary source so parents, teachers, and students can verify the citation and locate the official document.
Reading lists evolve. Coretta Scott King Author Award citations on ReadingList are reviewed on a rolling basis as primary sources publish updates. If you teach or learn under this framework and a title on this page is no longer used (or you know of one that should appear), the ReadingList methodology page explains how to submit a correction with a citation.
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Coretta Scott King Author Award include?
55 books are referenced by Coretta Scott King Author Award across applicable K-12 grade levels. Each book page cites the primary source assignment (the official curriculum standard, exemplar list, or syllabus where the title appears).
What grades does Coretta Scott King Author Award cover?
Coretta Scott King Author Award is a reading-program curriculum spanning applicable K-12 grade levels via the standards framework. Browse by grade using the grade-filter links on this page or visit /grade for the full grade index across all curricula.
Where does Coretta Scott King Author Award data come from?
Sourced from published curriculum documents + standards organizations. Cross-referenced with Common Core exemplars at achievethecore.org. Every book page on ReadingList.school cites the standards origin for that assignment.
Is Coretta Scott King Author Award required reading?
Coretta Scott King Author Award provides recommended exemplars + assignments — adoption varies by district and teacher. Always check with your school's English department for the specific required vs recommended list at your grade level.
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