Coretta Scott King Awards

The Coretta Scott King Awards are designed to recognize an African American author and an African American illustrator for outstanding literature that is inspirational and educational. The books are supposed to promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples. It is also intended to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

The awards began in the late 60s when two librarians were lamenting the fact that African-American authors and illustrators rarely received recognition in the major literature awards of the time. A publisher who overheard them encouraged them to start their own award. They did and the first award was given in 1970. It gained affiliation with the American Library Association in 1982.

The Award is presented annually at the American Library Association conference. It includes a cash award of $1,000 and a set of encyclopedias.

The stated purpose of the award is "To encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical, and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators.

The selection criteria (according to the American Library Association) is:
a. Must portray some aspect of the African American experience, past, present, or future.
b. Must be written/illustrated by a African American.
c. Must be published in the U.S. in the year preceding presentation of the Award.
d. Must be original work
e. Must be written for a youth audience in one of the three categories:
o Preschool-grade 4
o Grades 5-8
o Grades 9-12
f. Must meet established standards of quality writing for youth which include:
o Clear plot
o Well-drawn characters which portray growth and development during the course of the story
o Writing style which is consistent with and suitable to the age intended
o Accuracy
g. Particular attention will be paid to titles that 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.
h. Illustrations should reflect established qualitative standards as identified in the statement below.

Illustrations should "heighten and extend the reader's 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 at in the text and should include details that will awaken and strengthen the imagination of the reader and permit him to interpret the works and pictures in a manner unique to him." Cianciolo, Illustrations in Children's Books (p. 24.25)