Thomas has been one of three to five finalists for the Coretta Scott King Award thrice , in 1984 for `` Bright Shadow '' , in 1994 for `` Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea '' , and in 2009 for `` The Blacker the Berry '' in 2009 .
Thomas has been one of three to five finalists for the Coretta Scott King Award three times , in 1984 for `` Bright Shadow '' , in 1994 for `` Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea '' , and in 2009 for `` The Blacker the Berry '' in 2009 .