The first Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding book for children and young adults by an African American author was presented in 1970. The award for illustrators was added in 1974. The 2008 CSK Awards were presented this week - congratulations to all winners!
Looking into my database on past CSK selections for winner, honor, and new talent awards, the following stats appear:
- 36.8% of ALL (winner, honor, and new talent) awards have been presented to 13 recipients, who have been recognized with a CSK distinction five or more times over the years. The total number of awards is 85 for these 13 recipients. In my database an award to co-authors or co-illustrators is counted only once.
- 38 total recipients have received 162 of all Coretta Scott King Awards since 1970. These recipients have received two or more CSK distinctions. Believe it or not, that's 70.1% of all 231 CSK awards given over the last 38 years!
- 9 African American authors have received 40.3% of the total CSK author-related awards. These nine authors have received at least 5 or more CSK distinctions since 1970.
- 22 Black authors received 66.7% or 96 of the total CSK author-related awards. These 22 authors received at least two or more CSK distinctions over the years.
- 4 African American illustrators have received 31.0% of the total CSK illustrator-related awards. These four illustrators have received at least 5 or more CSK distinctions since 1974.
- 16 Black illustrators received 75.9% or 66 of the total CSK illustrator-related awards. These 16 illustrators have received at least two or more CSK distinctions over the years.
- Visit the ALA website for the CSK Award page or submission info.
- The Coretta Scott King Awards, 1970 - 2004 by Henrietta M. Smith 3rd Ed., 163 pages
5 comments:
The statistical breakdown you've done is so illuminating. I knew it seems like the same names keep showing up over and over each year, but I never realized just how much this is the case!
Lisa, I agree with you. I'm very glad for the CSK Awards, which are needed. However, it's a bit disheartening to see that 70% of all the 231 CSK Awards given since 1970 have gone to just 38 talented authors and illustrators. Even the 2008 awards went to only three new recipients who have not yet received a CSK Award in the past. Best, Kyra
Kyra,
these numbers are staggering! Thank you for the interesting data you provided.
Amy Bowllan
I am so glad you did the work to point this out. It's quite upsetting when you think about it. So many talented authors and illustrators and beautiful books are being missed!
This was fascinating. Thanks for posting this. I had wondered about it.
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