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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Song of Wraiths and Ruin, A
Roseanne A. Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Malik, a refugee, and Princess Karina find themselves falling in love though knowing they must murder each other. A West African-inspired tale involving action, magic, and romance.
Roseanne A. Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Malik, a refugee, and Princess Karina find themselves falling in love though knowing they must murder each other. A West African-inspired tale involving action, magic, and romance.
Song Only I Can Hear, A
Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Mysterious messages pose challenges to Rob, a painfully shy, imaginative thirteen-year-old who harbors a secret.
Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Mysterious messages pose challenges to Rob, a painfully shy, imaginative thirteen-year-old who harbors a secret.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, And You
Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
An examination of the roots and evolution of racist ideas in America based on Dr. Kendi's research. Extensive source notes and further reading.
Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
An examination of the roots and evolution of racist ideas in America based on Dr. Kendi's research. Extensive source notes and further reading.
Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and the American Anthem
Tim Grove
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Under attack by the British during the War of 1812, Baltimore fights back; Francis Scott Key writes what will become our National Anthem. Maps, illustrations, and back matter.
Tim Grove
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Under attack by the British during the War of 1812, Baltimore fights back; Francis Scott Key writes what will become our National Anthem. Maps, illustrations, and back matter.
Strongman: The Rise of Five Dictators and the Fall of Democracy
Kenneth C. Davis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Following a brief history, the author profiles five 20th century dictators who manipulated democracy in order to gain unlimited power. Back Matter. Archival Photographs
Kenneth C. Davis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Following a brief history, the author profiles five 20th century dictators who manipulated democracy in order to gain unlimited power. Back Matter. Archival Photographs
Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing
Tonya Bolden
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Significant speeches made at significant times in American history-- from Patrick Henry to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Timeline, back matter.
Tonya Bolden
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Significant speeches made at significant times in American history-- from Patrick Henry to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Timeline, back matter.
Summer and July
Paul Mosier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
When Goth girl Juillet, 12, meets a surfer girl, it's a July filled with overcoming fears, facing harsh realities, and discovering who she really is.
Paul Mosier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
When Goth girl Juillet, 12, meets a surfer girl, it's a July filled with overcoming fears, facing harsh realities, and discovering who she really is.
Sunnyside Plaza
Scott Simon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Sally Miyake, 19, can't read, but she notices things, and values kindness and honesty. Can Sally figure out why deaths increase in her group home?
Scott Simon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Sally Miyake, 19, can't read, but she notices things, and values kindness and honesty. Can Sally figure out why deaths increase in her group home?
Superman Smashes the Klan
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: Gurihiru
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
When a Chinese family moves to Metropolis, the Klan of the Fiery Kross tries to run them out of town. Can Superman save the day? Colorful, retro illustrations.
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: Gurihiru
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
When a Chinese family moves to Metropolis, the Klan of the Fiery Kross tries to run them out of town. Can Superman save the day? Colorful, retro illustrations.
The Everything I Have Lost
by Sylvia Zéleny
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Julia, living in Juarez, writes realistically in her diary about her young teen years growing up in an increasingly violent city.
by Sylvia Zéleny
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Julia, living in Juarez, writes realistically in her diary about her young teen years growing up in an increasingly violent city.
Things Seen from Above
Shelley Pearsall
Illustrator: Xingye Jin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
April, a 6th grader, develops a relationship with Joey, a 4th-grade loner making strange designs in the playground dirt -- and learns about perspective. Evocative digital and pencil illustrations.
Shelley Pearsall
Illustrator: Xingye Jin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
April, a 6th grader, develops a relationship with Joey, a 4th-grade loner making strange designs in the playground dirt -- and learns about perspective. Evocative digital and pencil illustrations.
Things You Can't Say
Jenn Bishop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Three years after his father's suicide, 12-year-old Drew faces his anger over his loss and his worries that he might have his father's tendencies.
Jenn Bishop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Three years after his father's suicide, 12-year-old Drew faces his anger over his loss and his worries that he might have his father's tendencies.
Thousand Questions, A
Saadia Faruqi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
In Pakistan, Mimi from Houston helps Sakina, a servant to Mimi's grandparents, learn English; Sakina helps Mimi discover the charms of Karachi - and find her missing father.
Saadia Faruqi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
In Pakistan, Mimi from Houston helps Sakina, a servant to Mimi's grandparents, learn English; Sakina helps Mimi discover the charms of Karachi - and find her missing father.
Tornado Brain
Cat Patrick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Frankie, 13, is on the autism spectrum. Can she help find her estranged friend who has mysteriously disappeared?
Cat Patrick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Frankie, 13, is on the autism spectrum. Can she help find her estranged friend who has mysteriously disappeared?
Trowbridge Road
Marcella Pixley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
In 1983, when AIDS is a lethal mystery that kills June's father and renders her mother dangerously germophobic, a new kid with his own problems becomes a special ally.
Marcella Pixley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
In 1983, when AIDS is a lethal mystery that kills June's father and renders her mother dangerously germophobic, a new kid with his own problems becomes a special ally.
Truth According to Blue, The
Eve Yohalem
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Blue, 13, searches for a sunken family treasure, hoping it will identify her beyond “Diabetes Girl.” But will a celebrity's snobby daughter and a millionaire foil her plans?
Eve Yohalem
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Blue, 13, searches for a sunken family treasure, hoping it will identify her beyond “Diabetes Girl.” But will a celebrity's snobby daughter and a millionaire foil her plans?
Turtle Boy
Wolkenstein, M. Evan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Kids bully seventh-grader Will Levine because of his odd-looking chin. His new challenge is his bar mitzvah community service project -- hospital visits. Ugh!
Wolkenstein, M. Evan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Kids bully seventh-grader Will Levine because of his odd-looking chin. His new challenge is his bar mitzvah community service project -- hospital visits. Ugh!
Village of Scoundrels
Margi Preus
Illustrator: S. M. Vidaurri
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Isolated villagers in Vichy France rescue, hide, and assist Jews and other victims of Nazism escape to Switzerland. Photos, illustrations, timeline, bibliography.
Margi Preus
Illustrator: S. M. Vidaurri
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Isolated villagers in Vichy France rescue, hide, and assist Jews and other victims of Nazism escape to Switzerland. Photos, illustrations, timeline, bibliography.
War Stories
Gordon Korman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Trevor, 12, loves everything WWII, especially his great-grandfather's war stories until a trip to France for D-Day celebrations opens his eyes to the harsh realities of war.
Gordon Korman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Trevor, 12, loves everything WWII, especially his great-grandfather's war stories until a trip to France for D-Day celebrations opens his eyes to the harsh realities of war.
Water Bears, The
Kim Baker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
A terrifying bear attack leaves 13-year-old Newton Gomez slowly recovering but plagued by nightmares. Family, friendship and possible magic support his recovery.
Kim Baker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
A terrifying bear attack leaves 13-year-old Newton Gomez slowly recovering but plagued by nightmares. Family, friendship and possible magic support his recovery.
We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World
Todd Hasak-Lowy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Nonviolence's powerful effect on world history is examined through the struggle for India's independence, suffrage, civil rights, migrant workers, and climate change. Index, endnotes, photos.
Todd Hasak-Lowy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Nonviolence's powerful effect on world history is examined through the struggle for India's independence, suffrage, civil rights, migrant workers, and climate change. Index, endnotes, photos.
We Didn't Ask for This
Adi Alsaid
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Holding others hostage, Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors of an international school for days demanding environmental change.
Adi Alsaid
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Holding others hostage, Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors of an international school for days demanding environmental change.
When You Know What I Know
Sonja K. Solter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
After being molested by her uncle, Tori, 10, is helped by family, friends and professionals, and begins to heal. Free verse.
Sonja K. Solter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
After being molested by her uncle, Tori, 10, is helped by family, friends and professionals, and begins to heal. Free verse.
Wild Girl: How to Have Incredible Outdoor Adventures
Skelton, Helen
Illustrator: Liz Kay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
A guide with real life adventure stories encouraging girls to seek adventure locally or globally by using positive self-talk, planning and creativity.
Skelton, Helen
Illustrator: Liz Kay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
A guide with real life adventure stories encouraging girls to seek adventure locally or globally by using positive self-talk, planning and creativity.
With a Star in My Hand: Rubén Darío, Poetry Hero
Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Born in Nicaragua, abandoned by his mother, Rubén began experimenting with different, complex poetry at a young age and became famous as el niño poeta.
Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2020
Born in Nicaragua, abandoned by his mother, Rubén began experimenting with different, complex poetry at a young age and became famous as el niño poeta.