Cover art by Kadir Nelson

Table of Contents

Features

"Let Our Rejoicing Rise" by Rudine Sims Bishop
Celebrating fifty years of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards.

"An Interview with George and Bernette Ford" by Roger Sutton
Two icons of Black children’s literature reflect on its history and future.

"Just Us Books" by Cheryl Willis Hudson
Behind the founding of one of the first African American–focused children’s publishing companies.

"Black Creators for Children" by Dianne Johnson-Feelings
The lasting, generative legacy of a pioneering 1970s organization.

"A Vision for the CSK" by Kekla Magoon
Moving forward into the 21st century.

"CSK by the Numbers" by Nick Glass
CSK Book Awards facts and figures, appearing throughout the issue.

"In the Studio with Jerry Pinkney" by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Behind-the-book snapshots of the artist’s ten CSK-recognized titles.

"Talking with One of My Mothers" by Toshi Widoff-Woodson
What it’s like to grow up inside the CSK community.

"Fresh Ginger and Garlic" by Kwame Alexander
A conversation with Nikki Giovanni.

"What the CSK Means to Me" by Em Claire Knowles
The awards’ impact beyond the children’s literature field.

Columns

Editorial
"Behold the Gold!" by Rudine Sims Bishop & Andrea Davis Pinkney
Inspiring words from the guest editors of our “gold issue” honoring the CSK Book Awards’ golden anniversary.

A Letter to Readers
"CSK: 50 Years Strong" by by Claudette S. McLinn
Welcome from the current Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee Chair.

Lift Every Voice
Inspirational experiences on the road to winning the CSK.

"From One Book to Many" by Rita Williams-Garcia
"From Day One" by Bryan Collier
"My Own Origin Story" by Javaka Steptoe
"On My Fire Escape" by Sharon Bell Mathis
"Grand Inspiration" by Shane W. Evans
"Words and Music" by Eloise Greenfield
"'Four Women' and Me" by Jason Reynolds
"Walking My Own Path" by Renée Watson
"The Greatest Review I’ll Ever Get" by Christopher Paul Curtis
"A Matter of Choice" by Shadra Strickland
"Dreams Never Realized" by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
"In the Presence of Royalty" by Kathleen Atkins Wilson
"'You Are the Author!'" by Ashley Bryan
"Seeing Stars" by Nikki Grimes
"History Comes Alive" by Joyce Hansen
"My Grandparents' House" by Sharon G. Flake
"History and Stories" by Deborah D. Taylor
"Necessary Foundations" by Sharon M. Draper
"Thank You, Gusty" by Floyd Cooper
"Side B" by Michele Wood

Happy Anniversary
"Stevie" by Kim Parker
John Steptoe’s groundbreaking picture book turns fifty this year. Second in a series celebrating books with notable anniversaries.

Field Notes
"A Family Affair" by Monique Harris & Nicholl Montgomery
Connecting community through Black books and bookstores.

Reviews

Book Reviews

Departments

May/June Starred Books
"Lift Every Voice" and Additional Contributor Notes
Impromptu
Index to Advertisers
Index to Books Reviewed

Cover © 2019 by Kadir Nelson. Page 2 art: The Coretta Scott King Book Awards seal images and award names are solely and exclusively owned by the American Library Association.

Single copies of this special issue are available for $15.00 including postage and may be ordered from:
Kristy South
Administrative Coordinator, The Horn Book
Phone 888-282-5852 | Fax 614-733-7269
ksouth@juniorlibraryguild.com