Table Of ContentThe
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oinciding with the fortieth anniversary of the Coretta Scott King
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CorEtta SCott King
Book Award, this one-of-a-kind volume gathers together the best o
of the best in African American children’s literature with r
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• Comprehensive coverage of the award-winning books t
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• Biographical profiles that introduce the creative artists and
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illustrators
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• Color plates that give a vital sense of the story and art C
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1970–2009
• A new subject index ideal for curriculum planning
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Excellent for curriculum planning, collection development, and reference,
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this is a must-have for every library.
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Find additional material on the book’s website, at www.ala.org/editions/
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extras/smith35842.
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FourtH Edition
40th Anniversary
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
A
Chicago, IL 60611
L
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1-866-SHOP ALA
Edited by Henrietta M. Smith
(1-866-746-7252)
www.alastore.ala.org
The
Coretta SCott King
awardS
1970–2009
Fourth edition
40th Anniversary
Edited by Henrietta M. Smith
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee
Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table
american Library association
Chicago 2009
henrietta M. Smith is professor emerita with the School of Library and Information Science,
University of South Florida, Tampa, and teaches the youth-oriented courses in the library
school’s East Coast program. Her serv ice to ALA includes membership on Newbery, Caldecott,
Batchelder, Carnegie, and Notable Film committees and chairing the Wilder Award Committee.
Smith has served as chair of the Coretta Scott King Task Force, been both a member and chair of
the awards jury, and edited the three previous editions of The Coretta Scott King Awards. For her
ser vices to youth in many arenas, Smith received the ALSC 2008 Distinguished Ser vice Award.
Cover art © 2008 by Kadir Nelson, created to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the
Coretta Scott King Book Awards in 2009. Used with permission of the artist.
Poem “of course” (p. xiii) © 2009 by Arnold Adoff; reprinted with permission from the author.
While extensive effort has gone into ensuring the reliability of information appearing in this
book, the publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy or reliability of the
information, and does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or
damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National
Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI
Z39.48-1992.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data
The Coretta Scott King awards, 1970–2009 / edited by Henrietta M. Smith. — 4th ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN 978-0-8389-3584-2 (alk. paper)
1. Coretta Scott King Award. 2. American literature—African American authors—
Bibliography. 3. American literature—African American authors—Awards. 4. African
Americans—Intellectual life—Bibliography. 5. Children’s literature, American—
Bibliography. 6. African Americans in literature—Bibliography. 7. Children—Books and
reading—United States. 8. Children’s literature, American—Awards. I. Smith, Henrietta M.
Z1037.A2C67 2009
[PS153.N5]
016.8108'09282'08996073—dc22 2009000628
Copyright © 2009 by the American Library Association. All rights reserved except those which
may be granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-3584-2
Printed in the United States of America
13 12 11 10 09 5 4 3 2 1
Dedicated to the memory of Basil Phillips
1930–2007
Lifelong supporter of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee
Contents
Preface by Deborah Taylor vii
Acknowledgments ix
History xi
Author Awards 1
Profile: A Conversation with Sharon M. Draper 45
Illustrator Awards 47
Profile: A Conversation with Jerry Pinkney 69
Biographies 71
Contributors 107
Coretta Scott King Award–Winning Authors, 1970–2009 109
Coretta Scott King Author Award and Honor Books
by Title 113
Coretta Scott King Award–Winning Illustrators,
1974–2009 117
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and Honor Books
by Title 119
Subject Index 121
General Index 127
Illustrations from award-winning books follow page 70.
Additional content can be found at www.ala.org/editions/extras/smith35842.
v
Preface
This edition of The Coretta Scott King Awards is the fourth of this unique series,
which celebrates high-quality literature for young readers written and illustrated
by African Americans. The selections recognized by the Coretta Scott King Book
Awards continue to represent the best in writing and artistic expression for all
readers. Within these pages the reader will find reviews of each award title and
brief excerpts from each winning author’s book. Updated biographies, reproduc-
tions of selected award-winning illustrations, and specialized indexes make this
an important resource for use in schools, public libraries, and university courses
as well as for families to enjoy at home. As schools and educators strive to ensure
that all students are aware of the wide diversity and rich history of this literature,
this volume provides invaluable information to reach that goal.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards have made a significant contribution
to the world of children and young adult literature. Many of the writers and illus-
trators currently prominent in the field received their major recognition through
these awards and continue to create sparkling examples of the best in books for
young—and even those not so young—readers. These awards provide an invalu-
able ser vice by bringing to the forefront outstanding talent that enriches the
entire field. Of course, many long-standing artists and writers maintain their
high standards of excellence and continue to be recognized.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee is fortunate to have many
talented reviewers and jurors, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their con-
tributions to this edition. Our highest praise and thanks go to Henrietta M.
Smith, winner of the 2008 Association for Library Ser vice to Children Distin-
guished Ser vice Award and editor of this and the previous editions of The Coretta
Scott King Awards.
Deborah Taylor
Chair, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee, 2007–2009
vii
Acknowledgments
As the ink dries on the last page of the fortieth anniversary edition of The Coretta
Scott King Awards, a word of thanks and deep appreciation must go out to many
who made this venture possible. My thanks to
the contributing writers, without whom none of these volumes would have
been possible
Satia Marshall Orange, for always asking with encouragement “What can
we do to make this book even better—even more useful?”
Bonnie Smothers, the ALA editor who shepherded the first edition into
print, who taught me so much about developing a book—including
patience
Mimi Kayden, for all her support
the authors and illustrators, without whose talent and generosity there
would be no book
Ginnie Moore Kruse, who, in the beginning years, felt that a full-fledged
book would be better than a booklet
our founders and early supporters, who believed in the award at its
inception
the publishers who accepted the challenge of publishing more Coretta
Scott King Award–eligible titles
Godspeed to the one who takes up the mantle, at least for the next five years.
Thanks for the memories. Thanks to everyone who helped to make “the rough
places plain.”
henrieTTa M. SMiTh
ix
Description:Coinciding with the fortieth anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Award, this one-of-a-kind volume gathers together the best of the best in African American children's literature with: comprehensive coverage of the award winning books; biographical profiles that introduce the creative artists and i
