2010

Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U. S. Marshall, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

My People, illus. by Charles R. Smith Jr., text by Langston Hughes

2009

We are the ship, by Kadir Nelson

The blacker the berry, illus. by Floyd Cooper, text by Joyce Thomas

2008

Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis

Let it shine, by Ashley Bryant

2007

Copper sun, by Sharon Draper

Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, text by Carole Weatherford

2006

Day of tears: a novel in dialogue, by Julius Lester

Rosa, illustrated by Bryan Collier, text by Nikki Giovanni

2005

Remember: the journey to school integration, by Toni Morrison

Ellington was not a street, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, text by Ntozake Shange

2004

The first Part Last, by Angela Johnson

Beautiful Blackbird, illustration & text by Ashley Brian

2003

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

Talking about Bessie, illustrated by E. B. Lewis, text by Nikki Grimes

2002

The Land by Mildred D. Taylor

Goin’ Someplace Special illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Patricia McKissack

2001

Miracle’s Boys, by Jacqueline Woodson

Uptown, illustration & text by Bryan Collier

2000

Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis

In the Time of the Drums, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, text by Kim Siegelson

1999

Heaven, by Angela Johnson

I see the Rhythm, illustrated by Michele Wood, text by Toyomi Igus

1998

Forged by Fire, by Sharon M. Draper.

In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall, illustration & text by Javaka Steptoe.

1997

SLAM! by Walter Dean Myers.

Minty: a story of young Harriet Tubman, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Alan Schroeder

1996

Her Stories, by Virginia Hamilton.

Middle Passage, illustration & text by Tom Feelings.

1995

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters, by Patricia and Frederick McKissack.

The Creation, illustrated by James E.Ransome, text by James Weldon Johnson

1994

Toning the Sweep, by Angela Johnson.

Soul Looks Back in Wonder, illustration & text by Tom Feelings

1993

Dark Thirty, by Patricia McKissack

The Origin of Life on Earth, illustrated by Kathleen Wilson, text by David Anderson

1992

Now is Your Time, by Walter Dean Myers.

Tar Beach, illustration & text by Faith Ringgold.

1991

The Road to Memphis, by Mildred D. Taylor.

Aida, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, text by Leontyne Price

1990

A Long Hard Journey, by Patricia and Frederick McKissack.

Nathaniel Talking, illustrated by Jan S. Gilchrist, text by Eloise Greenfield

1989

Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers.

Mirandy and Brother Wind, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Patricia McKissack

1988

The Friendship, by Mildred D. Taylor.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughter, illustration & text by John Steptoe.

1987

Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World, by Mildred P. Walter.

Half a Moon and One Whole Star, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Crescent Dragonwagon

1986

The People Could Fly, by Virginia Hamilton

The Patchwork Quilt, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Valerie Flournoy

1985

Motown and Didi, by Walter Dean Myers.

No illustration award in 1985.

1984

Everett Anderson’s Goodbye, by Lucille Clifton.

My Mama Needs Me, illustrated by Pat Cumming, text by Mildred Pitts Walter

1983

Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush, by Virginia Hamilton.

Black Child, illustration & text by Peter Magubane.

1982

Let the Circle Be Unbroken, by Mildred D. Taylor.

Mother Crocodile = Maman-Caiman, illustrated by John Steptoe, text by Birago Diop

1981

This Life, by Sidney Poitier.

Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum, illustration & text by Ashley Bryan.

1980

The Young Landlords, by Walter Dean Myers.

Cornrows, illustrated by Carole Byard, text by Camille Yarbrough

1979

Escape to Freedom, by Ossie Davis.

Something on My Mind, illustration & text by Tom Feelings.

1978

Africa Dream, by Eloise Greenfield

1977

The Story of Stevie Wonder, by James Haskins.

1976

Duey’s Tale, by Pearl Bailey.

1975

The Legend of Africania, by Dorothy Robinson.

1974

Ray Charles, by Sharon Bell Mathis.

1973

I Never Had It Made, by Jackie Robinson.

1972

Seventeen Black Artists, by Elton Clay Fax.

1971

Black Troubadour, by Charlemae Rollins.

1970

Martin Luther Jr., by Lillie Patterson.