Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Books Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.

-The winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award is HAND IN HAND: Ten Black Men Who Changed America written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

-Two Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books were named: EACH KINDNESS written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis; and NO CRYSTAL STAIR: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.

-The winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award is I, TOO, AM AMERICA illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Langston Hughes.

-Three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book was named: H. O. R. S. E. written and illustrated by Christopher Myers; ELLEN'S BROOM illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons; and I HAVE A DREAM: Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Martin Luther King, Jr..