Coretta Scott King Award · 2009

The 2009 Coretta Scott King Award

We Are the Ship and The Blacker the Berry won the 2009 Coretta Scott King Award. Browse them alongside all 4 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2009 Coretta Scott King Award Winner · Author and Illustrator
We Are the Ship
Sale price
$1994
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

We Are the Ship

By Kadir Nelson

Discover the untold story of baseball's unsung heroes who defied segregation to play the game they loved.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)Coretta Scott King Award (2009)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2009)Orbis Pictus Honor (2009)
88 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 4,119 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Step into the world of Negro League baseball, where gifted athletes and determined owners battled racial discrimination to pursue their passion. Through the eyes of an 'Everyman' player, experience the triumphs and challenges from the 1920s to Jackie Robinson's historic breakthrough in 1947. This vivid narrative, enriched by stunning oil paintings, captures the spirit of unsung heroes who played against all odds. What sacrifices did they make for the love of the game? Uncover the legacy of these pioneers who changed the face of baseball and mirrored the social history of black America.
2009 Coretta Scott King Award Winner · Author and Illustrator
The Blacker the Berry
Sale price
$759
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2008

The Blacker the Berry

By Joyce Carol Thomas, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Explore the vibrant tapestry of Black skin tones through evocative poetry celebrating diversity and self-love.

Coretta Scott King Award (2009)
32 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 641 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into a world where each shade of Black is celebrated through lyrical poetry. This collection invites readers to explore the beauty of diverse skin tones, echoing themes of family, tradition, and self-acceptance. With each poem, discover a new hue, a new story, and a new perspective. How do these colors reflect the richness of identity and culture? This essential picture book offers a mirror to see the beauty in every complexion, encouraging readers to embrace their unique palette.
2009 Honor Books
Keeping the Night Watch
Sale price
$1049
Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2008

Keeping the Night Watch

By Hope Anita Smith, E. B. Lewis (Illustrator), E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

A boy grapples with his father's return, torn between anger and healing.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)
80 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 352 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Thirteen-year-old C.J. faces a storm of emotions when his father returns after abandoning the family. While others forgive, C.J. clings to the responsibilities he took on in his father's absence. His unresolved anger threatens to alienate him from his family, making home feel more fractured than ever. Can C.J. find a way to reconcile his feelings and help his family heal? Through evocative poetry, this story explores the complex journey of forgiveness and the struggle to rebuild trust.
Before John Was a Jazz Giant
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2008

Before John Was a Jazz Giant

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Sean Qualls (Illustrator)

Discover how childhood sounds shaped a jazz legend's future.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)Golden Kite Honor (2009)
32 pages· 164 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 563 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the 1930s South, young John Coltrane absorbed the world through sound—preachers, radio tunes, and household clatter. These early auditory experiences would later define his groundbreaking music. How did these sounds transform him into a jazz giant? Explore the formative years of a legend and the symphony of life that inspired his iconic sound.
Becoming Billie Holiday
Sale price
$1895
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008

Becoming Billie Holiday

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A young singer's voice rises above poverty and hardship to become legendary.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)
120 pages· 11,397 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 479 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Born into poverty, Eleanora's voice was her beacon. By fifteen, she was Billie Holiday, destined for greatness despite life's harsh trials. Her journey through pain and the law's shadow led her to the spotlight with the era's top big bands. Discover her fight for survival and the dream she pursued with unwavering passion through evocative poetry.
The Moon Over Star
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2008

The Moon Over Star

By Dianna Hutts Aston, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

A moon landing inspires a young girl to dream big and explore endless possibilities.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)
32 pages· 1,067 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 760 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1969, as the world watches the moon landing, a young girl finds inspiration in the astronauts' giant leap. This picture book captures her journey of dreaming beyond the stars, fueled by the historic Apollo 11 mission. Will she take her own giant step into a future full of possibilities? Discover how one moment in history can ignite a lifetime of dreams.
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