| 2007 | Sharon Draper | Copper Sun |
| 2006 | Lynne Rae Perkins | Criss Cross |
| 2005 | Morrison, Toni | Remember: The Journey to School Integration |
| 2004 | Johnson, Angela | The First Part Last |
| 2003 | Grimes, Nikki | Bronx Masquerade |
| 2002 | Taylor, Mildred | The Land |
| 2001 |
Woodson, Jacqueline |
Miracle’s Boys |
| 2000 |
Curtis, Christopher Paul |
Bud,
Not Buddy |
| 1999 |
Johnson, Angela |
Heaven |
| 1998 |
Draper, Sharon M. |
Forged by Fire |
| 1997 |
Myers, Walter Dean |
Slam |
| 1996 |
Hamilton, Virginia |
Her Stories |
| 1995 |
McKissack, Patricia C. & Frederick L. |
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters |
| 1994 |
Johnson, Angela |
Toning the Sweep |
| 1993 |
McKissack, Patricia A. |
Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural |
| 1992 |
Myers, Walter Dean |
Now is Your Time: The African American Struggle for Freedom |
| 1991 |
Taylor, Mildred D. |
The Road to Memphis |
| 1990 |
McKissack, Patricia C. & Frederick L. |
A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter |
| 1989 |
Myers, Walter Dean |
Fallen Angels |
| 1988 |
Taylor, Mildred L. |
The Friendship |
| 1987 |
Walter, Mildred Pitts |
Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World |
| 1986 |
Hamilton, Virginia |
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales |
| 1985 |
Myers, Walter Dean |
Motown and Didi |
| 1984 |
Clifton, Lucille |
Everett Anderson’s Good-bye |
| 1983 |
Hamilton, Virginia |
Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush |
| 1982 |
Taylor, Mildred D. |
Let the Circle Be Unbroken |
| 1981 |
Poitier, Sidney |
This Life |
| 1980 |
Myers, Walter Dean |
The Young Landlords |
| 1979 |
Davis, Ossie |
Escape to Freedom |