Coretta Scott King Award

Link to King Award Homepage: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/cskbookawards/index.cfm

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All of these books share the concept of slavery and being free. In the book, “Moses” Harriet Tubman is going back South to free slaves. “Risking her own life, Harriet returns to the dreaded South and rescues her family. She goes South and South again, keeps her bands of runaways moving.” (P. 34-35).

In the book “Rosa” Rosa is standing up for herself on the bus. “Why do you pick on us? I’m going to call the police! Blake threatened. Do what you must, Rosa was not frightened. She was not going to give in to what was wrong.” (pg. 11).

In the book “Day of Tears” slaves are being auctioned off. The slave-seller says “If you will turn your attention to your catalogs we will start today with lot number neighty-eight, a family of four. This is a fine family, young, obviously good procreators, who will undoubtedly enrich your holdings with more healthy and fit slave children.” (pg. 61)

In the book “Elijah of Buxton” Elijah who has been freed his whole life meets a family of slaves in Detroit. “ Then I understood! These waren’t no chained demons! These were five runaway slaves and a baby that had been caught! I knowed what they were but my head kept spinning anyway. (p. 298)

Bud, Not Buddy by: Christopher Paul Curtis

Forged By Fire by: Sharon M. Draper

In The Time Of Drums by: Kim L. Seigelson

Tears Of A Tiger by: Sharon M. Draper

Day Of Tears by: Julius Lester

In 1859, it was the largest auction of slaves, twelve year old Emma gets sold and never sees her family again. But, Emma is determined to be freed.

Elijah of Buxton by: Christopher Paul Curtis

In 1860, Elijah is the first baby born free from slavery in Buxton Canada. When his friend, Mr. Leroy, ventures out to find and free his family in Detroit, Elijah is the only person that could help him.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by: Carole Boston Weatherford

Harriet Tubman, a slave, fled from her master to get freed. With the help of strangers Harriet travels day and night to become free. She decides she needs to go back and free her family and discovers the underground railroad that slaves travel to for freedom.

Rosa by: Nikki Giovanni

Tired, Rosa Parks is sick of segregation and stands up for herself when the bus driver asks her to move since there were no more seats on the bus for white people. Rosa’s strength leads to striking on buses for a movement of change.

By: Nikki Grimes

A classroom of students from the Bronx take an interest in a poetry assignment, that leads to a new adventure and a possibility of hope.



by: Sharon M. Draper

Life was beautiful for Amari in 1738, until she was suddenly taken from her village in Africa and shipped to America to be a slave, and learn to survive in a whole new world.

The Blacker the Berry By: Joyce Carol Thomas

A collection of poems featuring the many shades of black and how each is beautiful and special in its own way.

We Are The Ship: The Story Of Negro League Baseball by: Kadir Nelson

After not being allowed to play along side white baseball players, blacks formed their own teams in the early 1900's, and began a new league.

The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton:

After being captured and enslaved in America the African people who could fly lose their wings, but hope to one day fly again to set themselves free.

The Land by Mildred D. Taylor:

Paul Logan, a half black and half white, young man who lives in the south during the 19^th century aspires one day to get a wonderful land just like the one his white father had. Although he has great obstacles to face, he wants to make his dream come true.

Before John Was a Jazz Giant by Carole Boston Weatherford:

John enjoys listing to the sounds all around him in detail, but little did he know that his dedication would lead him to something great.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by: John Steptoe

Bad-tempered Manyara gets a head start on her journey to meet the king first because she wants to be the queen, leaving her kind sister Nyasha behind. What the sisters do not know is that the king has a surprise for them.