Honestly, if you grew up in the U.S., you've probably held a book with a bronze or silver seal on the cover without ever really thinking about what it took to get there. You've seen the face of a child reading, embossed in metallic foil. Those are Coretta Scott King Award books, and they aren't just "nice stories" for Black History Month. They are the backbone of American kid-lit.
But there is a lot of noise out there about what these awards actually represent. People sorta assume they’re just about "civil rights history." Not true. Not even close. While history is a huge part of the legacy, these books cover everything from sci-fi and fantasy to the quiet, messy reality of being a teenager in 2026.
The 2025 Winners Just Dropped (And They’re Intense)
Let’s get current for a second. The 2025 Coretta Scott King Book Awards were announced in Phoenix, and the winners are spectacular. Jason Reynolds took home the Author Award for Twenty-four Seconds from Now… A LOVE Story. It’s a hilarious and deeply felt look at Black boyhood and the vulnerability of first love. It’s the kind of book that reminds you Black joy is just as radical as Black struggle.
On the art side, C.G. Esperanza won the Illustrator Award for My Daddy Is a Cowboy. It’s a stunning picture book about a girl and her father riding horses through city streets at dawn. The colors are electric. It’s a vibe.
We also saw some heavy hitters in the "Honor" category—basically the runners-up that are just as essential. Renée Watson’s Black Girl You Are Atlas and Kwame Alexander’s Black Star are already flying off library shelves. If you’re looking for a gift for a kid in your life, start with these.
What’s the "John Steptoe" Thing?
You’ll often see a green seal on some of these books. That’s the John Steptoe Award for New Talent. It’s basically the "Rookie of the Year" for Black creators. In 2025, Craig Kofi Farmer won for Kwame Crashes the Underworld—a wild ride through Ghanaian spirituality. Jamiel Law won the illustrator side for Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues, a gorgeous tribute to James Baldwin.
Why These Books Exist (The Backstory is Kinda Wild)
It’s 1969. The American Library Association (ALA) is meeting in Atlantic City. Two librarians, Mabel McKissick and Glyndon Greer, realize that the big awards like the Newbery and Caldecott are… well, very white. They decide right then and there to start an award that honors Black creators and the Black experience.
They named it after Coretta Scott King because she was a powerhouse in her own right, not just "Dr. King’s wife." She carried the torch for peace and justice long after 1968. The first award went to Lillie Patterson in 1970 for her biography of Dr. King.
Since then, it’s grown into a massive cultural touchstone. It isn’t just about checking a box; it’s about excellence. The jury doesn’t play around. They look for:
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- Authenticity: Does this reflect the "Black experience" (which, by the way, isn't a monolith)?
- Quality: Is the plot tight? Are the characters growing?
- Visuals: Do the illustrations lead the reader to an appreciation of beauty?
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That these books are only for Black kids.
Wrong.
These stories are for everyone. Universal human values—friendship, grief, courage, justice—are at the heart of every single winner. When you read Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (a 2000 winner), you aren't just learning about the Great Depression; you're feeling the universal ache of a kid looking for home.
Another mistake? Thinking they are all "educational." Sure, many are. But many are just plain fun. Take New Kid by Jerry Craft. It was the first graphic novel to win the Newbery, but it also cleaned up at the CSK awards. It’s funny, biting, and relatable to any kid who’s ever felt like an outsider.
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The "Seal" of Approval: What to Look For
When you're browsing a bookstore or a library, the seals are your roadmap.
- Bronze Seal: The Winner. The top dog for that year.
- Silver Seal: Honor Book. Think of it as the "highly recommended" list.
- Green Seal: The Steptoe Award. The exciting new voices you should watch.
There’s also the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. It’s named after the legendary author who won pretty much every award in existence. In even years, it goes to an author or illustrator. In odd years (like 2025), it goes to a "practitioner"—a librarian or teacher who’s doing the work on the ground to get these books into kids' hands.
Actionable Steps for Your Bookshelf
If you want to actually use this information, don't just nod and move on. Do these three things:
- Audit your shelves: Look at your kid’s bookshelf (or your own). Is it a bubble? If you don't see that bronze seal, you're missing out on some of the best writing in the country.
- Request from your library: Librarians track what gets requested. If you ask for the 2025 winners, it tells the library to buy more copies.
- Start with the classics: If you're new to this, grab Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson or The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander. They are masterpieces of the form.
The reality is that Coretta Scott King Award books have survived decades of shifting cultural tides because they are, quite simply, good books. They don't preach; they reveal. They don't just show the past; they imagine the future. Go find one. Read it. You’ll see exactly why they matter.
Next Steps to Build Your Collection:
- Search your local library's digital catalog for "Coretta Scott King Award" to find e-book versions of the 2025 winners like Twenty-four Seconds from Now… or My Daddy Is a Cowboy.
- Visit the official ALA Coretta Scott King Book Awards website to download the full historical list of winners and honor books dating back to 1970 for a complete reading guide.
- Check independent Black-owned bookstores like MahogonyBooks or Uncle Bobbie's for curated "CSK Award" bundles that often include the newest honor titles.