Coretta Scott King Award · 2020

The 2020 Coretta Scott King Award

The Undefeated and New Kid won the 2020 Coretta Scott King Award. Browse them alongside all 6 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2020 Coretta Scott King Award Winner · Illustrator
The Undefeated
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

The Undefeated

By Kwame Alexander, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

A tribute to the black individuals who paved the way for future generations in America.

Newbery Honor (2020)Coretta Scott King Award (2020)Caldecott Medal (2020)Golden Kite Honor (2020)
40 pages· 254 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.6/5 Goodreads · 7,487 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into a powerful poem celebrating black American life, from the trauma of slavery to the triumphs of civil rights. With references to iconic voices like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes, this work honors past heroes and the enduring spirit of today. Discover the grit and perseverance that define a legacy of resilience and hope. Rich historical context awaits those eager to learn more.
2020 Coretta Scott King Award Winner · Author
New Kid
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2279
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

New Kid

By Jerry Craft · Book #1 in the New Kid series

A young artist navigates two worlds, struggling to fit in at a new school.

Newbery Medal (2020)Coretta Scott King Award (2020)Cybils Award (2019)
249 pages· 14,169 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 62,507 ratings
$23.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Seventh grader Jordan Banks dreams of art school, but his parents send him to a prestigious academy where he's one of the few kids of color. Torn between his diverse neighborhood and the elite school, Jordan must find a way to fit in without losing himself. Can he balance these worlds and stay true to his passion for drawing? Discover the challenges and triumphs of a young artist caught between two cultures in this compelling graphic novel.
2020 Honor Books
Look Both Ways
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

Look Both Ways

By Jason Reynolds, Alexander Nabaum (Illustrator)

Ten blocks, ten stories. What happens when the school bell rings and life takes unexpected turns?

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)Carnegie Medal for Writing (2021)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2019)
188 pages· 34,291 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 19,778 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: After the school bell rings, ten kids navigate their way home, each block revealing a new story. From skateboarding mishaps to secret plans, their journeys intertwine in unexpected ways. What detours will they face, and how will these moments shape their lives? Discover the humor and heartache in the everyday adventures of walking home.
The Bell Rang
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

The Bell Rang

By James E. Ransome

A young girl faces heartbreak and hope when her brother escapes slavery.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)ALA Notable Children's Books (2020)
40 pages· 501 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.9/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,044 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In a world of relentless toil, a young slave girl watches as her brother, Ben, vanishes one morning, leaving behind fear and hope. As the plantation bell tolls, her family clings to the possibility that Ben has reached freedom in the North. 'The Bell Rang' captures the courage and resilience of those who dared to run, offering a poignant reminder of a past that must never be forgotten. Will Ben find the freedom he seeks, and can hope sustain those left behind?
Sulwe
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Sulwe

By Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)

A young girl struggles to find her place in a world where she doesn't fit in due to her skin color.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)
48 pages· 864 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
5.2/7 Bookroo·4.7/5 Goodreads · 11,317 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Sulwe, with skin as dark as midnight, feels out of place in her family and school. Longing to be as bright as her mother and sister, she embarks on a magical journey through the night sky. This adventure transforms her perspective, teaching her that true beauty shines from within. Will Sulwe embrace her unique radiance and find self-acceptance? Discover a heartwarming tale of self-esteem and inner beauty that inspires children to celebrate their individuality.
Infinite Hope
Sale price
$2089
Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2019

Infinite Hope

By Ashley Bryan

A black soldier's art and hope defy the horrors of WWII's segregated army.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2020)
112 pages· 12,559 words· Est. 1.5 hour read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 481 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Drafted at eighteen, Ashley Bryan faces the brutal reality of WWII as a black soldier in a segregated army. Amidst lies and isolation, he endures tasks more harrowing than those given to Nazi POWs. As he watches white soldiers return home, his art becomes his refuge. Decades later, he reveals his hidden story of resilience, kindness, and the power of creativity. This memoir, enriched with personal artwork and letters, offers a poignant glimpse into a past of struggle and hope.
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2019

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them

By Junauda Petrus

Two girls from different worlds find love amidst life's challenges.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)
308 pages· 84,488 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 6,859 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Audre, uprooted from Trinidad, and Mabel, lost in Minneapolis, find unexpected love. As they navigate cultural shifts and personal struggles, a mysterious illness threatens their bond. Can their love withstand the trials of an uncertain future? Discover a tale of resilience and connection that defies boundaries.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

By Kwame Mbalia · Book #1 in the Tristan Strong series

A boy's quest to reclaim a stolen journal opens a portal to a world of gods and heroes. Can he save it before losing everything?

Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)Cybils Award (2019)
482 pages· 99,429 words· Est. 14 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 10,943 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Tristan Strong, haunted by his best friend's death, is sent to his grandparents' farm to heal. But when a mysterious creature steals his friend's journal, Tristan's pursuit leads him to the MidPass, a realm of African American folk heroes and West African gods. With the world in chaos, Tristan must join forces with legends like John Henry and Brer Rabbit to close a dangerous rift. But dealing with the trickster god Anansi could cost him dearly. Can Tristan mend this fractured world and find his way home?
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