Welcome to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's (CBC) Searchable Best Books List, a tool designed to help educators, families, librarians, and others access developmentally appropriate and engaging books for young readers (ages birth - 18).
Our online Searchable Best Books List draws from the committee's annual Best Children's Books of the Year-beginning with the list of books published in 2000-with each featuring more than 600 high-quality titles for young readers.
To share feedback about the tool, please feel free to email bookcom@bankstreet.edu. To learn more about the CBC, visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/cbc/.
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Akane-banashi (Akane-banashi series)
Yuki Suenaga
Illustrator: Takamasa Moue
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her father's dreams of becoming a master rakugo storyteller are dashed, daughter Akane vows to take up the mantle and avenge his disgrace. Dramatic black-and-white artwork. Endnotes.
Yuki Suenaga
Illustrator: Takamasa Moue
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her father's dreams of becoming a master rakugo storyteller are dashed, daughter Akane vows to take up the mantle and avenge his disgrace. Dramatic black-and-white artwork. Endnotes.
Alebrijes
Donna Barba Higuera
Illustrator: David Álvarez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Orphans Leandro and sister Gabi survive the harsh reality of post-apocalyptic California and are the catalysts for ultimately building a better society. Soft, finely detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Donna Barba Higuera
Illustrator: David Álvarez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Orphans Leandro and sister Gabi survive the harsh reality of post-apocalyptic California and are the catalysts for ultimately building a better society. Soft, finely detailed black-and-white illustrations.
All You Have to Do
Autumn Allen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Two young Black men, one at an elite prep school in 1995 and one at Columbia University in 1968, act to understand and define themselves.
Autumn Allen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Two young Black men, one at an elite prep school in 1995 and one at Columbia University in 1968, act to understand and define themselves.
Barely Floating
Lilliam Rivera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Fat, feisty, confident Latina Nat, 12, is determined to be a synchronized swimmer. But that means lying to her parents and neglecting her best friend. Can she succeed, and is it worth it?
Lilliam Rivera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Fat, feisty, confident Latina Nat, 12, is determined to be a synchronized swimmer. But that means lying to her parents and neglecting her best friend. Can she succeed, and is it worth it?
Beautiful Something Else, The
Ash Van Otterloo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her mother is hospitalized after a serious breakdown, Sparrow, 12, must move in with relatives she doesn't know and begin to understand and come to terms with her own nonbinary identity.
Ash Van Otterloo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her mother is hospitalized after a serious breakdown, Sparrow, 12, must move in with relatives she doesn't know and begin to understand and come to terms with her own nonbinary identity.
Bea Wolf
Zach Weinersmith
Illustrator: Boulet
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When kids hanging out in an elaborate treehouse are threatened with adulthood by neighbor Grindle, five-year-old Bea Wolf comes to the rescue. Black-and-white cartoon-style artwork.
Zach Weinersmith
Illustrator: Boulet
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When kids hanging out in an elaborate treehouse are threatened with adulthood by neighbor Grindle, five-year-old Bea Wolf comes to the rescue. Black-and-white cartoon-style artwork.
Big Backyard, The: The Solar System beyond Pluto
Ron Miller
Illustrator: Ron Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A clearly written and beautifully illustrated introduction to the solar system and what lies beyond it. Photorealistic black-and-white illustrations. NASA photos. Bibliography, glossary, index.
Ron Miller
Illustrator: Ron Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A clearly written and beautifully illustrated introduction to the solar system and what lies beyond it. Photorealistic black-and-white illustrations. NASA photos. Bibliography, glossary, index.
Big Bangs and Black Holes: A Graphic Novel Guide to the Universe
Jérémie Francfort and Herji, with Michel Mayor
Illustrator: Herji
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A lively, humorous, accessible explanation of extremely complex ideas about the universe. Detailed drawings illustrate the phenomena.
Jérémie Francfort and Herji, with Michel Mayor
Illustrator: Herji
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A lively, humorous, accessible explanation of extremely complex ideas about the universe. Detailed drawings illustrate the phenomena.
Big Winner (Orca Currents series)
Sylvia Taekema
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When Digby, a mentally challenged teen, wins a million-dollar lottery, Skye, 14, steps up to protect him from those who would prey on him.
Sylvia Taekema
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When Digby, a mentally challenged teen, wins a million-dollar lottery, Skye, 14, steps up to protect him from those who would prey on him.
Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale, The
Heather Smith
Illustrator: Alexandra Finkeldey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Ewan's mother died when he was seven; his father disappeared two years later. Now 11, the formerly timid boy determines to find his dad. Black-and-white illustrations.
Heather Smith
Illustrator: Alexandra Finkeldey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Ewan's mother died when he was seven; his father disappeared two years later. Now 11, the formerly timid boy determines to find his dad. Black-and-white illustrations.
Braid Girls, The
Sherri Winston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
As summer day-camp counselors, three Black 12-year-old friends decide to earn money by offering complex hair-braiding after camp. Rivalry with another group challenges them.
Sherri Winston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
As summer day-camp counselors, three Black 12-year-old friends decide to earn money by offering complex hair-braiding after camp. Rivalry with another group challenges them.
Breaking the Mold: Changing the Face of Climate Science (Books for a Better Earth Series)
Dana Alison Levy
Illustrator: Donna Grethen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Sixteen inspiring profiles of environmental scientists from diverse backgrounds, and seven brief sketches of non-scientist environmental activists. Informational sidebars. Color photos and spot art. DIY projects. Back matter.
Dana Alison Levy
Illustrator: Donna Grethen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Sixteen inspiring profiles of environmental scientists from diverse backgrounds, and seven brief sketches of non-scientist environmental activists. Informational sidebars. Color photos and spot art. DIY projects. Back matter.
Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors
Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Méndez, editors
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Celebratory or embarrassing, surprising or long-awaited—the range of emotions, the cultural connections, and self-knowledge that accompany the onset of menstruation are explored.
Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Méndez, editors
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Celebratory or embarrassing, surprising or long-awaited—the range of emotions, the cultural connections, and self-knowledge that accompany the onset of menstruation are explored.
Catch Me If I Fall
Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Twelve-year-old Australian twins experience life in a future time when climate change has ravaged their world. They are very close, until one changes after a serious accident.
Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Twelve-year-old Australian twins experience life in a future time when climate change has ravaged their world. They are very close, until one changes after a serious accident.
Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends behind Your Favorite Foods
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Discover the origin stories, myths, folk tales, and traditions behind some of the most popular dishes found on the menus of Chinese restaurants. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Grace Lin
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Discover the origin stories, myths, folk tales, and traditions behind some of the most popular dishes found on the menus of Chinese restaurants. Colorful mixed-media illustrations.
Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust
Neal Shusterman
Illustrator: Andrés Vera Martínez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Five tales take real examples of resistance and add an element of folklore and fantasy to the courage of those facing Nazi cruelty. Clear-lined artwork in a somber palette. Back matter.
Neal Shusterman
Illustrator: Andrés Vera Martínez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Five tales take real examples of resistance and add an element of folklore and fantasy to the courage of those facing Nazi cruelty. Clear-lined artwork in a somber palette. Back matter.
Cricket War, The
Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In 1980 Thọ faces conscription in the Vietnamese army. His love of cricket fighting takes a back seat to a harrowing journey to escape. Semi-autobiographical. Map. Back matter.
Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In 1980 Thọ faces conscription in the Vietnamese army. His love of cricket fighting takes a back seat to a harrowing journey to escape. Semi-autobiographical. Map. Back matter.
Cross My Heart and Never Lie
Nora Dåsnes
Illustrator: Nora Dåsnes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Seventh-grade friends Tuva, Linnéa, and Bao drift apart when Linnéa reveals that she has a boyfriend. Then Tuva discovers her own feelings for new student Mariam. Digital color art.
Nora Dåsnes
Illustrator: Nora Dåsnes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Seventh-grade friends Tuva, Linnéa, and Bao drift apart when Linnéa reveals that she has a boyfriend. Then Tuva discovers her own feelings for new student Mariam. Digital color art.
Davenports, The
Krystal Marquis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Romantic intrigue is afoot among the teens of the wealthy Chicago Black community in 1910. Inspired by two 20th-century Black entrepreneurs.
Krystal Marquis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Romantic intrigue is afoot among the teens of the wealthy Chicago Black community in 1910. Inspired by two 20th-century Black entrepreneurs.
Dear Mothman
Robin Gow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Devastated by the death of Lewis, the only other trans boy in his school, Noah begins writing a letter to Mothman as a way to connect to his friend who believed in the cryptid. In verse.
Robin Gow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Devastated by the death of Lewis, the only other trans boy in his school, Noah begins writing a letter to Mothman as a way to connect to his friend who believed in the cryptid. In verse.
Duel
Jessixa Bagley
Illustrator: Aaron Bagley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
African American sisters Lucy and Gigi argue over everything. Their mother wants them to resolve their differences themselves. Will a public fencing competition help? Clear, colorful panels illuminate characters, subject matter, and plot.
Jessixa Bagley
Illustrator: Aaron Bagley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
African American sisters Lucy and Gigi argue over everything. Their mother wants them to resolve their differences themselves. Will a public fencing competition help? Clear, colorful panels illuminate characters, subject matter, and plot.
Eb & Flow
Kelly J. Baptist
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In alternating voices, two Black seventh graders relate their experiences and feelings during their 10-day home suspensions following a school fight. Free verse.
Kelly J. Baptist
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In alternating voices, two Black seventh graders relate their experiences and feelings during their 10-day home suspensions following a school fight. Free verse.
Every Day: The Graphic Novel
David Levithan
Illustrator: Dion MBD
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A haunting, moody graphic adaptation of Levithan's 2012 novel about A, who wakes up as a different person every day. Full-color cartoon-style panels.
David Levithan
Illustrator: Dion MBD
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A haunting, moody graphic adaptation of Levithan's 2012 novel about A, who wakes up as a different person every day. Full-color cartoon-style panels.
Exoplanets: A Guide to the Worlds outside Our Solar System
Wendy Bjazevich
Illustrator: David Miles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Swirling watercolors and geometric shapes provide a visual guidebook to the over 5,000 planets outside our solar system. Sources.
Wendy Bjazevich
Illustrator: David Miles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Swirling watercolors and geometric shapes provide a visual guidebook to the over 5,000 planets outside our solar system. Sources.
Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II
Daniel James Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Spotlight on three American boys who served with valor in the racially segregated, ultimately legendary, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as their families faced stateside racist hysteria. Archival photos and maps. Index, sources. Young readers edition.
Daniel James Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Spotlight on three American boys who served with valor in the racially segregated, ultimately legendary, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as their families faced stateside racist hysteria. Archival photos and maps. Index, sources. Young readers edition.