The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually by the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA describes the awards as going "to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values."
The 2017 author award went to Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin for March: Book Three, their third graphic novel about Lewis's experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. March: Book Three also won the 2016 National Book Award and has received many other honors.
In addition to As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds, Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan was a 2017 Author Honor Book. For Freedom Over Me, Bryan used historical documents from slave auctions and plantations to bring to the page the reality of the people who were held in bondage.
Learn more about the Coretta Scott King Awards and the 2017 winners on the ALA's website.Labels: February 2017, From the Collection
