Children's book award · 19952026

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award Books

By the Bookroo Editors

The Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Award is named for John Steptoe, the Brooklyn author and illustrator who published his first book, Stevie, before he turned twenty and won Coretta Scott King recognition for his own work before his death in 1989. First given in 1995, it is presented by the Coretta Scott King Round Table of the American Library Association to an African American author or illustrator at the very beginning of a publishing career.

It shares the eligibility standards of the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards but adds a limit that defines it: a recipient's published works cannot exceed three in number, the award can be won only once, and anyone taking a Coretta Scott King medal in the same year is not eligible. One award is given each year, for text or for illustration, and the committee may choose to give it in both or in neither.

Where the main Coretta Scott King medals tend to go to established names, this list is a record of first and second books. It is the place to look for a debut voice worth following, and for newer picture books and novels that have not yet accumulated the attention the medal winners carry.

Information from the American Library Association.

Under the Neon Lights
The most recent cycle

The 2026 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award

2026 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award Winner · Author
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2025

Under the Neon Lights

By Arriel Vinson

A roller rink closure threatens a teen's summer of first love and self-discovery.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2026)
384 pages· 36,383 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 963 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Jae finds solace at WestSide Roll, where she skates away her worries. But when she collides with charming Trey, her summer takes a hopeful turn. As gentrification threatens her beloved rink, Jae faces losing her sanctuary. Can she navigate first love and family tensions while fighting for her community's heart? Discover a poignant tale of resilience and young love in a changing world.
Every year

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award Winners by Year

The honorees

Books Recognized by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award

Under the Neon Lights

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2025

A roller rink closure threatens a teen's summer of first love and self-discovery.

Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

A boy must escape the Ghanaian underworld to save humanity and say goodbye.

Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

A young boy from Harlem finds his voice and challenges a nation with his words.

There Goes the Neighborhood

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2023

Three friends fake gang violence to save their home, but fear spirals out of control.

We Could Fly

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2023

A girl feels a mysterious call to freedom, echoing her ancestors' journey.

We Deserve Monuments
Sale price
$1899

We Deserve Monuments

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2022

Family secrets and a town's dark past challenge a teen's quest for truth.

Choosing Brave

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2022

A mother's grief ignites a civil rights movement.

Me (Moth)

Chapter Book · 2021

Two teens, haunted by loss, embark on a journey to uncover their roots and heal.

The Me I Choose to Be

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Explore endless possibilities and embrace your potential in a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Series
Sale price
$1499

Legendborn

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2020

A teen discovers a secret society and her own magic, unraveling her mother's mysterious death.

Genesis Begins Again

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2019

A girl battles self-doubt and family turmoil to find self-love.

What Is Given from the Heart

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

A young boy helps his mother put together a care package for a family in need, and finds a way to give something special to a girl his age.

Monday's Not Coming
Sale price
$1999

Monday's Not Coming

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

A girl vanishes, and only her best friend notices. Can she uncover the truth?

Thank You, Omu!

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

A woman shares her stew with various people from her neighborhood, who later return the favor.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

A boy in Harlem finds hope and creativity amidst grief and gang pressure.

Mama Africa!

Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2017

A singer's voice challenges apartheid's grip.

The Sun Is Also a Star
Sale price
$1899

The Sun Is Also a Star

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2016

Two teens' unexpected love faces the ticking clock of deportation.

Hoodoo

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2015

A boy must master magic to stop a sinister stranger threatening his town.

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2015

A civil rights champion fights for equal voting rights against fierce opposition.

When I Was the Greatest

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2014

Urban teen navigates friendship, loyalty, and unexpected danger in a neighborhood filled with challenges.

When the Beat Was Born

Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2013

Discover how DJ Kool Herc's beats transformed music and culture forever.

Zora and Me

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2010

A mythical creature's tale threatens a town's peace, forcing children to confront truth and imagination.

Seeds of Change
Sale price
$2095

Seeds of Change

Picture Book · Ages 9–10 · 2010

A Kenyan woman fights for nature and women's rights, one tree at a time.

Sale price
$1999

The Rock and the River

Chapter Book · Ages 9–14 · 2009

A young boy must choose between family loyalty and revolutionary ideals in 1968 Chicago.

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