5.  The first author award was given in 1970, but the first illustrator award was not given until 1974 along with the author for the title Ray Charles by Sharon Bell Mathis, illustrated by George Ford.

2022 Author WinnerThe 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Author Winner is Carole Boston Weatherford, author of "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre",  published by Carlrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc., provides a powerful look at the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. 

Carole Boston Weatherford is a Newbery Honor author, New York Times best-seller and two-time NAACP Image Award winner. Since her 1995 debut, she has published 50-plus books, including multiple Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Awards and Honors.  

2022 Illustrator WinnerThe 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Illustrator Winner is Floyd Cooper, illustrator of "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre",  published by Carlrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc., provides a powerful look at the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. “Using oil and erasure for his illustrations, the late, great Mr. Cooper brought to life one of America’s darkest and most devastating events in lifelike paintings that are full of emotion and detail.” said Jason Driver, 2022 CSK Jury Chair.

Floyd Cooper received a Coretta Scott King Award for his Illustrations for the Blacker the Berry and won Coretta Scott King honors for “Brown honey in Broom Wheat Tea”, “Meet Danitra Brown”, and “I Have Heard of a Land”. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he first heard about the Tulsa Race Massacre from his grandfather, who survived it as a young man. Cooper passes away in July 2021 making Unspeakable one of his last projects. 

 

2022 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)The 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Author goes to Amber McBride for “Me (Moth),” published by Feiwell and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group. 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. Me (Moth) is McBride's debut novel. 

2022 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator)The 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Illustrator goes to Regis and Kahran Bethencourt for The Me I Choose to Be” published by Little, Brown, and Company. 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. 

“Home Is Not A Country” by Safia Elhillo, published by Make Me A World, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House.

“Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People” by Kekla Magoon, published by Candlewick Press 

“The People Remember” by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise, published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

"Nina: A Story of Nina Simone” illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Traci N. Todd, and published by by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“We Wait for the Sun” Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, written by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe, and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group

“Soul Food Sunday” illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Winsome Bingham, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS

The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.

The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

The Criteria of the award is as follows:

5.  The first illustrator award was not given until 1974 to George Ford for the title Ray Charles by Sharon Bell Mathis who received the author award as well.

2022 Author WinnerThe 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Author Winner is Carole Boston Weatherford, author of "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre",  published by Carlrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc., provides a powerful look at the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. 

Carole Boston Weatherford is a Newbery Honor author, New York Times best-seller and two-time NAACP Image Award winner. Since her 1995 debut, she has published 50-plus books, including multiple Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Awards and Honors.  

2022 Illustrator WinnerThe 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Illustrator Winner is Floyd Cooper, illustrator of "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre",  published by Carlrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc., provides a powerful look at the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. “Using oil and erasure for his illustrations, the late, great Mr. Cooper brought to life one of America’s darkest and most devastating events in lifelike paintings that are full of emotion and detail.” said Jason Driver, 2022 CSK Jury Chair.

Floyd Cooper received a Coretta Scott King Award for his Illustrations for the Blacker the Berry and won Coretta Scott King honors for “Brown honey in Broom Wheat Tea”, “Meet Danitra Brown”, and “I Have Heard of a Land”. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he first heard about the Tulsa Race Massacre from his grandfather, who survived it as a young man. Cooper passes away in July 2021 making Unspeakable one of his last projects. 

 

2022 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author)The 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Author goes to Amber McBride for “Me (Moth),” published by Feiwell and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group. 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. Me (Moth) is McBride's debut novel. 

2022 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator)The 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Illustrator goes to Regis and Kahran Bethencourt for The Me I Choose to Be” published by Little, Brown, and Company. 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. 

“Home Is Not A Country” by Safia Elhillo, published by Make Me A World, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House.

“Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People” by Kekla Magoon, published by Candlewick Press 

“The People Remember” by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise, published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

"Nina: A Story of Nina Simone” illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Traci N. Todd, and published by by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“We Wait for the Sun” Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, written by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe, and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group

“Soul Food Sunday” illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Winsome Bingham, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS

5. A single award was given out from 1968 - 1980. The Association of Jewish Libraries split the one category into 2 from 1981 - 1984. In 1985, they decided to expand to the 3 categories still used today.

2022 Winners
Picture Book: The Passover Guest by Susan Kusel and Sean Rubin
Middle Grade: How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani
Young Adult: The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

5. The Arab American Book Award is the only book award in the nation created specifically to honor Arab American writers and books about the Arab American experience. 

2021 Winner (Children's/Young Adult category)
*There was a tie!
The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil and Anait Semirdzhyan
Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj

5. The award's seal features symbolism that references the philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Three titles that have won are:
Brian Pinkney, illustrator of The Faithful Friend, written by Robert San Souci (1996)

Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack, authors of Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers (2000)

Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball (2009)

5. The award began as Biannual, but became annually awarded in 2009.

Three titles that have won are:
Chato's Kitchen, illustrated by Susan Guevara, written by Gary Soto (1996)

 Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book By Yuyi Morales (2003)

 I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosín, illustrated by Lee White (2015)

Three Past Winners: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, and This Day in June, by Gayle E. Pitman.

Award Criteria:

Interesting fact:

In celebration of the award's 20th anniversary, a compilation book was created filled with book covers, synopses, an introduction written by Oralia Garza de Cortés and Sandra Ríos Balderrama, co-founders of the award and a lovely collection of essays from previous and present award recipients.

Previous Award Winners and Honorees:
¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat, by Raúl Gonzalez (Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez (Disney-Hyperion/Disney Book Group)
We Are Not from Here, written by Jenny Torres Sanchez (Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random
House)

Resources:
Hernandez-Delgado, J.L. (1992) Pura Teresa Belpre, Storyteller and Pioneer Puerto Rican Librarian. Library Quarterly, 62(4), 425-440.

must be written in youth category of preschool to 12th grade (published books for children and young adults are the target audience), must motivate the readers to develop personality, attitude and comprehension to responsibility as a citizen in society, must be published in the U.S. and presented a year before the next award presentation which only occurs on even years and illustrations should awaken the strength of the reader's imagination and exemplify beauty and appreciation of the text in a non condescending or coy matter.
5) The seal has five nonsectarian symbols that represents Star and Crescent - a symbol of Islam, Star of David - a symbol of Judaism, Latin Cross - a symbol of Christianity,Tao - a symbol of China, and Om - a symbol of Hinduism. Very inclusive and beautifully defined as unity or peace.


Some Award Winning Titles and Authors

• Fiction that invites compassion, imagination, and wonder.
• Fiction that connects children to their own humanity and offers them a rich experience with the power to influence their lives.
• Fiction that stretches children’s thinking, feelings, and imagination.
• Fiction that exhibits literary quality of text and illustrations.
• Fiction that is published in the United States during the previous calendar year.
• Fiction for whom the primary audience for the book is children, preschool to age 12.

Interesting Facts:
The award-winning author and/or illustrator receives a plaque and is the featured speaker at the luncheon following the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon during the NCTE Annual Convention..

The honor book authors and/or illustrators are recognized, receive a certificate, and are invited to present at a session. 

Previous Award Winners and Honorees:

 

Previous Award Winners:

Interesting Fact:
Tomás Rivera, a native of Crystal City, Texas, is the first Mexican American to have been selected Distinguished Alumnus at Texas State University.

The first NC Children’s Book Award was given to In the Dark, Dark Room, and other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz in 1992.

Criteria for the NC Children’s Book Award:

The NC Children’s Book Award divided into two categories in 1995 creating the Junior Book category and the Picture Book category. 

3 Titles that have won the NC Children’s Book Award:

Frindle by Andrew Clements - 1999

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney - 2009

Refugee by Alan Gratz - 2019

The first Pura Belpre Award was given in 1996 to An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio by Judith Ortiz Cofer for narrative and to Chato's Kitchen, illustrated by Susan Guevara, written by Gary Soto for illustration.

Criteria for the Pura Belpre Award:

The award was originally given as a biennial award up until 2008 when they started awarding it annually.

3 Titles that have won the Pura Belpre Award:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz - 2013

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall - 2012

Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba. By Alma Flor Ada - 2000

The first Newbery Award was given to The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon in 1922.

Criteria for the Newbery Award:

The award committee originally used the term “runner-up” for other books that had the potential of receiving the award, but in 1971 the changed the term to “honor books”.

3 Titles that have won the Newbery Award:

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander - 2015

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - 2009

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley - 1985

According to the Schneider Award Handbook (2022),  "Disability is a kind of diversity that is mentioned, if at all, as an afterthought in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts. Writers with disabilities still have difficulties getting published. Books are often not “born accessible” but have to be scanned or recorded for those with print disabilities. The mantra of the disability movement, “Nothing about us without us” has not been fully realized." 

    2. Who does it honor and why? 

Honors authors Katherine Schneider and all people with disabilities by representing and advocating to hear their stories.

    3. When was the first year it was given and to what book? 

2004 Winners:

Mass, Wendy A Mango Shaped Space
Clements, Andrew Things Not Seen
Lang, Glenna Looking Out For Sarah

     4. What is the criteria (selection requirements) and terms.
Criteria (Schneider Award Handbook, 2022)
1. Content
● May be fiction, biography/memoir, or general nonfiction.
● Must portray the emotional, mental, or physical disability as part of a full life, not as
something to be pitied.
● Representation of characters with disabilities should be realistic, avoiding
exaggeration or stereotypes.
● Person with disability should be integral to the presentation, not merely a passive
bystander.
● The theme must be appropriate for and respectful of the intended audience.
● Information on a disability must be accurate.
● Discussions about accessibility, e.g. Braille, audiobooks, born accessible, to all readers
should take place during deliberation.
● The experiences of the character with disability should be analyzed for authenticity.
2. Style
● Should be well-written.
● Should be engaging with distinctive use of language for plot and character
development and setting delineation.
● Book should be judged on its own merit as a self-contained entity, not as part of a
series.
3. Illustration and Design
● Text and images should complement or enhance each other, with differentiated
contrast between text, pictures, and background.
● Format and typeface must be of age appropriate size, clearly readable, and free of
typographical errors.
● Layout should be easy to follow, enhancing the flow of the story or information
         
       5. List at least 1 interesting facts about the award or it's history
--Katherine Schneider was blind and her family created this award as a way to recognize books that represented children with disabilities. She wanted it to be intentionally vague about the definition of disability so that jury could make those determinations each year.
--can award up to three selections each year, one in each age range:
younger children, ages 0 to 8
middle grades, ages 9 to 12
teens, ages 13 to 18

       6. Select and list a minimum of 3 titles that have won the award.
2022 Winners:
Teen: "Words in my Hands,” written and illustrated by Asphyxia
Middle Grade: “A Bird Will Soar,” written by Alison Green Myers
Young Children: “My City Speaks,” written by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by Ashley Barron
2021 Winners:
Teen: "This is My Brain in Love," written by I.W. Gregorio
Middle Grade: "Show Me a Sign" by Ann Clare LeZotte
Young Children: "I Talk Like a River," written by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith

1. In identifying “distinguished contribution to American literature,” defined as text, in a book for children,
       a. Committee members need to consider the following:

2. Each book is to be considered as a contribution to 
American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

3. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for literary quality and quality presentation for children. The award is not for didactic content or popularity.

        5. List at least 1 interesting facts about the award or it's history -- Celebrating 100 years of Newbery -- some have made accusations that the award is "too white" much like the Oscars, are they working to make sure that the Newbery is diverse and inclusive?

        6. Select and list a minimum of 3 titles that have won the award.
2022 Medal Winner: The Last Cuentista, written by Donna Barba Higuera
2021 Medal Winner: When You Trap a Tiger, written by Tae Keller
2020 Medal Winner: New Kid by Jerry Craft (first graphic novel winner)

2 The Caldecott award honors Randolph Caldecott who illustrated children’s books. 

3 The first year was 1938 and the award went to “Animals in the Bible” by Dorothy Lathrop. 

4 There are a couple of requirements for winning the Caldecott including that it can only be won by citizens or residents of the US, it must have been published the year before it wins. It has to be a picture book. The book must be in English. Judges look at the style of art chosen, how the pictures represent the story, how the plot and theme are shown, and reactions from an audience made up of children. 

5 The Caldecott runners-up were renamed the Caldecott Honor Books (this was in 1971 and the past ones have also been retroactively named Caldecott Honor Books). 

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

2023- The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder

2022- Bad Dog by Mike Boldt

2021- Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian for the New York Public Library, who as a children's librarian, author, and storyteller enriched the lives of Puerto Rican children in the United States through her pioneer work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore stories.

An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio by Judith Ortiz and Chato's Kitchen written by Gary Soto and illustrated by Susan Guevara were the first books to earn this award in 1996.

The criteria for this award is quite simple; it has to accurately and positively portray of the Latino culture.  In addition it must be written and/or illustrated by a Latino/Latina person, the title must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico during the preceding year and recipients of the award must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico. 

The award started out biennially, but as of 2009, is now awarded annually.

Past winners: 

2021- Vamos! Let’s Go Eat

2020- Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

2019- Dreamers

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. On June 22, 1921, Frederic G. Melcher proposed the award to the American Library Association meeting of the Children's Librarians' Section and suggested that it be named for the eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery.

On June 27, 1922, the American Library Association (ALA) awarded the first Newbery Medal, honoring the year’s best children’s book, to The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon.

The Medal shall be awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the character of the book considered except that it be original work. Honor books may be named. These shall be books that are also truly distinguished. The Award is restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United States.

The Newberry Award was the first children’s book award in the world. 

Past winners: 2023- Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

2022- The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

2021- When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

·         It honors Theodor Seuss Geisel for his accomplishments as a beloved author of children's books that have been relevant for generations.

·         It was established in 2004 but the first award was in 2006 for “Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas” by Sucie Stevenson. 

·         The criteria is that it’s “given annually to the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature and encourages and supports the beginning reader published in English in the US”. 

·         One interesting fact is that the award can only be given to authors and illustrators who are citizens or residents of the US. 

·         3 titles that won the award are- “There is a Bird on Your Head” by Mo Willems, “I Spy Fly Guy” by Tedd Arnold (Honor) , and “I Want My Hat Back” by Jon Classen (Honor). 

·         The award honors Pura Belpre because she was the first Latino librarian in the New York Public Library System and was a pioneer in telling and preserving Puerto Rican folklore. 

·         It was established in 1996 and the first winners were “An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio” by Judith Ortiz Cofer, and for “Chato’s Kitchen” by Gary Soto, illustrated by Susan Guevara. 

·         Two medals are given to an outstanding children’s book that “portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience”. It must be published in the US or Puerto Rico the year before. Winners must residents or citizens of the US or Puerto Rico. 

·         An interesting fact is that a Young Adult Author category was added in 2021. 

·         Three previous winner were “Esperanza Rising” by Pam Munoz Ryan, “Grandma’s Gift” by Eric Velazquez, and “Just in Case” by Yuyi Morales. 
 
 

·         It honors Coretta Scott King who was married to Martin Luther King, Jr. and who continued to work and carry on the legacy of her husband’s work. 

·         The award was created in 1969 and given to “Martin Luther King, Jr,: Man of Peace” by Lillie Patterson in 1970. 

·         The criteria is that it’s given annually to African American authors and illustrators who “demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values”. The author and illustrator receive $1,000 and a plaque. 

·         An interesting fact is that , “The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Seal was designed by artist Lev Mills in 1974.  The symbolism in the seal reflects both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophy and the ideals of the award.”.

·         Three award winners are, “Before the Ever After” by Jacqueline Woodson, "Piecing Me Together,” by Renee Watson, “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”, by David Barclay Moore. 

5. One goal of this award was to remind modern people of the ancient art of storytelling.

- Stunt Boy, In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds- 2023 winner, produced by Simon and Schuster.
- Boogie Boogie, Y'all by C.G. Esperanza- 2022 winner, produced by Harper Audio.
- Kent State by Deborah Wiles- 2021 winner, produced by Scholastic Audiobooks.

 

Titles that have won the award:

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

 

Titles that have won the award:

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Are you Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems

Stop! Bot! by James Yang

 

Titles that have won the award:

We Are Little Feminists: Families designed by Lindsey Blakely, written by Archaa Shrivastav

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

Criteria

1.Must portray some aspect of the black experience, past, present, or future.

2.Must be written/illustrated by an African American

3.Must be published in the U.S. in the calendar year preceding presentation of the Award.

4.Must be an original work

5.Must meet established standards of quality writing for youth which include:

•Clear plot

•Well drawn characters, which portray growth and development during the course of the story.

•Writing style which is consistent with and suitable to the age intended

•Accuracy

6.Must be written for a youth audience in one of three categories:  

•Preschool-grade 4

•Grades 5-8

•Grades 9-12

7.Particular attention will be paid to titles which seek to motivate readers to develop their own attitudes and behaviors as well as comprehend their personal duty and responsibility as citizens in a pluralistic society.

8.Illustrations should reflect established qualitative standards identified in the statement below:

Illustrations should... “heighten and extend the readers' awareness of the world around him. They should lead him to an appreciation of beauty. The style and content of the illustrations should be...neither coy nor condescending...Storytelling qualities should enlarge upon the story elements that were hinted in the text and should include details that will awaken and strength the imagination of the reader and permit him to interpret the words and pictures in a manner unique to him”

An interesting fact is that the Award recipient wins $1000.