2021 Author Winner: Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
2021 Illustrator Winner: R-E-S-P-E-C-T; illustrated by Frank Morrison
2021 Author Honor Title: Lifting as We Climb by Evette Dionne
2021 Illustrator Honor Title: Magnificent Homespun Brown; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
2022 CSK Author and Illustrator Award Winner: Unspeakable The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Floyd Cooper
2022 Author Honor Book: Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
2022 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner: Me(Moth) by Amber McBride
2022 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner: The Me I Choose to Be; illustrated by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt
Born January 17, Paul Cuffee, an African/Wampanoag Indian, was a sea captain, a member of the Black Founding Fathers and so much more. A few books have been written about this amazing man.
Book 1: Captain Paul Cuffe, Yeoman
Captain Paul Cuffee, Yeoman
Book 2: The Life and Times of Paul Cuffe
Book 3: Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Paul Cuffe
Born January 14, Dudley Randall was a poet and founder of Broadside Press, which published many works of poetry. He was also Detroit’s first Poet Laureate
His book: The Black Poets
Another book: Roses and Revolutions
A book about him: Wrestling With the Muse
Born January 13, Sharon Robinson is the daughter of Jackie Robinson. She is also a nurse-midwife, health writer, author, and educator. She has written several books about Jackie Robinson and herself.
Book 1: Her memoir, Child of the Dream
Book 2: Jackie Robinson’s biography, Promises to Keep
Book 3: Jackie’s Nine
These three books are from the 2025 Miself in Book list. You can view the list here.
Book 1 (Elementary): Black Star by Kwame Alexander
Book 2 (Middle Grade): One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Book 3 (Young Adult): Knucklehead Poems by Tony Keith, Jr.
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) will soon be publishing the 2025 Best of the Best Books (BOTB). In the meantime, check out these books from the 2024 BOTB list.
Elementary: A Voice of Hope The Myrlie Evers-Williams Story by Nadia Saloman; illustrated by London Ladd
Middle Grade: Onyx & Beyond by Amber McBride
Young Adult Tanglefoot by Kalela Williams
Grace F. Edwards, born January 3 in Harlem was a novelist and mystery writer.
Her novel: In the Shadow of the Peacock
She also was the author of the Mali Anderson mystery series: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/7826/grace-f-edwards
Zora Neale Hurston, author, anthropologist, and folklorist was born January 7. Well-known for her book, “Their Eyes Are Watching God”, she has written other books. Just a few pictured here. More can be found on the website: https://www.zoranealehurston.com/books/
Her autobiography:
If you are a fan of Zora Neale Hurston, you should treat yourself to the Zora Neale Festival in January. It is a fabulous event that honors and pay tribute to a fantastic author. For more information, check out the website: https://zorafestival.org/
Born January 5, Tananarive Due is the author of several horror/sci-fi books. Here are just a few of her books. Check out the rest on her website: https://www.tananarivedue.com/
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 