According to the American Library Association, the award is given to an "African American author and an African American illustrator for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution. The books promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream. 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."
Quick Jump: Decade
2011 Author Award:One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Honor Books:
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Yummy: The Last Days of Southside Shorty by G. Neri; illustrated by Randy DuBurke
Illustrator Award: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. Illustrated by Brian Collier; text by
Laban Carrick Hill
Honor Book:
Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: The Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix. Illustrated by
Javaka Steptoe; text by Gary Golio
2010 Author Award:Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Honor Book:
Mare's War by Tanita Davis
Illustrator Award: My People. Illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.; text by Langston Hughes
Honor Book:
The Negro Speaks of Rivers. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis; text by Langston Hughes
2009 Author Award: We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
Honor Books:
Keeping the Night Watch by Hope Anita Smith
The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas
Becoming Billie Holiday by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator Award: The Blacker the Berry. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper; text by Joyce Carol Thomas
2008 Author Award:Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Honor Books:
November Blues by Sharon M. Draper
Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrator Award:Let it Shine by Ashley Bryan
2007 Author Award:Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
Honor Book:
The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes
Illustrator Award:Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. Illustrated by
Kadir Nelson; text by Carole Boston Weatherford
2006 Author Award:Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue by Julius Lester
Honor Books:
Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl by Tonya Bolden
Dark Sons by Nikki Grimes
A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
Illustrator Award:Rosa. Illustrated by Bryan Collier; text by Nikki Giovanni
2005 Author Award: Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison
Honor Books:
The Legend of Buddy Bush by Shelia P. Moses
Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories about Girls and the Boys in Their Lives by Sharon G. Flake
Fortune’s Bones: The Manumission Requiem by Marilyn Nelson
Illustrator Award:Ellington Was Not a Street. Illustrated by Kadir A. Nelson; text by Ntozake Shange
Honor Books:
God Bless the Child Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.
The People Could Fly: The Picture Book Illustrated by
Leo and Diane Dillon; text by
Virginia Hamilton
2004 Author Award:The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Illustrator Award:Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan
2003 Author Award:Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
Illustrator Award:Talkin' about Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman Illustrated by E. B. Lewis; text by Nikki Grimes
2002 Author Award:The Land by Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator Award:Goin' Someplace Special. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by Patricia McKissack
2001 Author Award: Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator Award:Uptown by Bryan Collier
2000 Author Award:Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Illustrator Award:In the Time of the Drums Illustrated by Brian Pinkney;
text by Kim L. Siegelson
1999 Author Award:Heaven by Angela Johnson
Illustrator Award:I See the Rhythm Illustrated by Michele Wood; text by Toyomi Igus
1998 Author Award:Forged by Fire by Sharon Mills Draper
Illustrator Award:In Daddy's Arms I am Tall. Illustrated by Alan Schroeder; text by Jakava Steptoe
1997 Author Award: Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator Award:Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney;
text by Alan Schroeder
1996 Author Award:Her Stories by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator Award:The Middle Passage: White Ships, Black Cargo by Tom Feelings
1995 Author Award:Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack.
Illustrator Award:The Creation Iillustrated by James E. Ransome; text by James Weldon Johnson
1994 Author Award:Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson
Illustrator Award:Soul Looks Back in Wonder by Tom Feelings
1992 Author Award:Now Is Your Time! The African-American Struggle for Freedom
by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator Award:Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
1991 Author Award:Road to Memphis by Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator Award:Aïda. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon; text by Leontyne Price
1990 Author Award:A Long Hard Journey by Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack
Illustrator Award:Nathaniel Talking. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist; text by Eloise Greenfield
1989 Author Award:Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator Award:Mirandy and Brother Wind Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by Patricia McKissack
1988 Author Award:The Friendship by Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator Award: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
1987 Author Award:Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Pitts Walter
Illustrator Award:Half Moon and One Whole Star Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by
Crescent Dragonwagon
1986 Author Award:The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator Award: Patchwork Quilt. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by Valerie Flournoy
1985 Author Award: Motown and Didi by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator Award: No award given.
1984 Author Award:Evertt Anderson's Good-Bye by Lucille Clifton
Illustrator Award:My Mama Needs Me Illustrated by Pat Cummings; text by Mildred Pitts Walter
1983 Author Award:Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator Award:Black Child by Peter Mugabane
1982 Author Award:Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator Award:Mother Crocodile: An Uncle Amadou Tale from Senegal Illustrated by John Steptoe; text by Rosa Guy
1981 Author Award:This Life by Sidney Poitier
Illustrator Award:Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum by Ashley Bryan
1980 Author Award: The Young Landlords by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator Award:Cornrows. Illustrated by Carole Bayard; text by Camille Yarbrough
1979 Author Award:Escape to Freedom by Ossie Davis
Illustrator Award:Something on My Mind. Illustrated by Tom Feelings; text by Nikki Grimes
1978 Author Award:Africa Dream by Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator Award: Africa Dream Illustrated by Carole Bayard; text by Eloise Greenfield
1977 Author Award:The Story of Stevie Wonder by James Haskins
Illustrator Award: No award given.
1976 Author Award:Duey's Tale by Pearl Bailey
Illustrator Award: No award given.
1975 Author Award: The Legend of Africana by Dorothy Robinson
Illustrator Award: No award given.
1974 Author Award:Ray Charles by Sharon Bell Mathis
Illustrator Award: Ray Charles by George Ford
1973 Author Award:I Never Had It Made by Jackie Robinson as told to Alfred Duckett
1972 Author Award:17 Black Artists by Elton C. Fax
1971 Author Award:Black Troubador: Langston Hughes by Charlemae H. Rollins
1970 Author Award:Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace by Lillie Patterson