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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Door Is Open, The: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices
Hena Khan, editor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
When the Desi kids in Maple Grove learn their beloved community center is going to be demolished, they work together to save it.
Hena Khan, editor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
When the Desi kids in Maple Grove learn their beloved community center is going to be demolished, they work together to save it.
Dragonfruit
Makiia Lucier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Sam is determined to find a rare seadragon egg to cure his mother's grave illness. But as his friend Hanalei knows, that will come at a terrible price.
Makiia Lucier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Sam is determined to find a rare seadragon egg to cure his mother's grave illness. But as his friend Hanalei knows, that will come at a terrible price.
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School
Tiffany Jewell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Statistical information intertwined with deeply personal narratives of people of the Global Majority expose systemic racism in education. Includes insightful short bios of all contributors, an extensive list of recommended readings, and resources.
Tiffany Jewell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Statistical information intertwined with deeply personal narratives of people of the Global Majority expose systemic racism in education. Includes insightful short bios of all contributors, an extensive list of recommended readings, and resources.
First State of Being, The
Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Michael, 12, and Gibby, 15, sense something is way off with Ridge, who tells them he is from 2199 but fascinated with 1999. Does Ridge know what Y2K will bring?
Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Michael, 12, and Gibby, 15, sense something is way off with Ridge, who tells them he is from 2199 but fascinated with 1999. Does Ridge know what Y2K will bring?
Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson
Ann E. Burg
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
A first-person, free verse narrative of a biologist and author who ignited the environmental movement despite personal tragedy and the challenges of working in a male-dominated field. Naturalistic black-and-white illustrations.
Ann E. Burg
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
A first-person, free verse narrative of a biologist and author who ignited the environmental movement despite personal tragedy and the challenges of working in a male-dominated field. Naturalistic black-and-white illustrations.
Galaxy of Whales, A
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
In the Pacific Ocean's Salish Sea, Fern's and Jasper's families run rival whale tours. But after her best friend deserts Fern, she teams up with Jasper to enter a photography contest—and makes a new friend.
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
In the Pacific Ocean's Salish Sea, Fern's and Jasper's families run rival whale tours. But after her best friend deserts Fern, she teams up with Jasper to enter a photography contest—and makes a new friend.
Game of Noctis, The
Deva Fagan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
The stakes are high in the perilous Game of Noctis competition. Twelve-year old Pia joins the Seafoxes team, hoping that the prize money will help her grandfather and herself.
Deva Fagan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
The stakes are high in the perilous Game of Noctis competition. Twelve-year old Pia joins the Seafoxes team, hoping that the prize money will help her grandfather and herself.
Girl Who Sang, The: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival
Estelle Nadel, with Sammy Savos and Bethany Strout
Illustrator: Sammy Savos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
After the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Enia and her extended Jewish family fled. Aided by neighbors, Enia and two of her brothers survived and emigrated to the United States. Digital pen, ink, and watercolor artwork. Back matter.
Estelle Nadel, with Sammy Savos and Bethany Strout
Illustrator: Sammy Savos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
After the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Enia and her extended Jewish family fled. Aided by neighbors, Enia and two of her brothers survived and emigrated to the United States. Digital pen, ink, and watercolor artwork. Back matter.
Greater Goal, A: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women's Soccer—and Beyond
Elizabeth Rusch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
A wide analysis of women's fight for equality in sports and life, using the 2019 US Women's National Soccer team's suit over unequal pay as a focal point.
Elizabeth Rusch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
A wide analysis of women's fight for equality in sports and life, using the 2019 US Women's National Soccer team's suit over unequal pay as a focal point.
Gut Reaction
Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Starting a new school in eighth grade, Tess faces many challenges: the loss of her father, making new friends, recurring abdominal pain, and a bake off competition. Back matter.
Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Starting a new school in eighth grade, Tess faces many challenges: the loss of her father, making new friends, recurring abdominal pain, and a bake off competition. Back matter.
Hamlet Is Not OK
R. A. Spratt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Selby hates reading. Then her tutor helps her with her Hamlet assignment. When they find themselves actually in Elsinore, the adventure helps her understand the magic of books.
R. A. Spratt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Selby hates reading. Then her tutor helps her with her Hamlet assignment. When they find themselves actually in Elsinore, the adventure helps her understand the magic of books.
I'm from Here Too
Kashmira Sheth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
At school, 13-year old Anoop, a South Asian Indian American Sikh, is bullied by two boys because of his religion. Can he use the teachings of his faith to deal with their threats? Free-verse novel.
Kashmira Sheth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
At school, 13-year old Anoop, a South Asian Indian American Sikh, is bullied by two boys because of his religion. Can he use the teachings of his faith to deal with their threats? Free-verse novel.
Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures series)
Katherine Rundell
Illustrator: Ashley Mackenzie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
While rescuing a griffin, Christopher stumbles into a magical archipelago and meets a girl who can fly. Together they must save the world. Line drawings. Glossary of magical beasts.
Katherine Rundell
Illustrator: Ashley Mackenzie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
While rescuing a griffin, Christopher stumbles into a magical archipelago and meets a girl who can fly. Together they must save the world. Line drawings. Glossary of magical beasts.
Island of Whispers
Frances Hardinge
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Fourteen-Year-old Milo seeks to take over his father's profession of ferrying the dead to a final resting place. Black, white, and blue illustrations.
Frances Hardinge
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Fourteen-Year-old Milo seeks to take over his father's profession of ferrying the dead to a final resting place. Black, white, and blue illustrations.
Jupiter Rising
Gary D. Schmidt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Eighth grader Jack loves his three-year-old foster sister, Jupiter, daughter of his dead foster brother. Their rural community rallies in support as Jack fights to keep Jupiter in his life.
Gary D. Schmidt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Eighth grader Jack loves his three-year-old foster sister, Jupiter, daughter of his dead foster brother. Their rural community rallies in support as Jack fights to keep Jupiter in his life.
Kareem Between
Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Seventh grader Kareem struggles to reconcile his Syrian heritage with his dream of being an all-American football player. In verse.
Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Seventh grader Kareem struggles to reconcile his Syrian heritage with his dream of being an all-American football player. In verse.
Kicked Out
A. M. Dassu
Illustrator: Daby Zainab Faidhi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Living in England after escaping the war in Syria, Ali and Sami need to raise money to help their friend pay for legal fees to avoid deportation. Greyscale spot art. Author's note. Glossary.
A. M. Dassu
Illustrator: Daby Zainab Faidhi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Living in England after escaping the war in Syria, Ali and Sami need to raise money to help their friend pay for legal fees to avoid deportation. Greyscale spot art. Author's note. Glossary.
Kyra, Just for Today
Sara Zarr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Kyra, 13, and her mother, a recovering alcoholic with a house cleaning business, are very close. When Kyra suspects her mother is drinking again, she feels life slipping out of control.
Sara Zarr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Kyra, 13, and her mother, a recovering alcoholic with a house cleaning business, are very close. When Kyra suspects her mother is drinking again, she feels life slipping out of control.
Last Apple Tree, The
Claudia Mills
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Sonnet and Zeke reluctantly agree to collaborate on an oral history project, which leads to discoveries about their families and themselves. Author's note
Claudia Mills
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Sonnet and Zeke reluctantly agree to collaborate on an oral history project, which leads to discoveries about their families and themselves. Author's note
Legendary Mo Seto, The (The Legendary Mo Seto series)
A. Y. Chan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Chinese American Mo wants to be best at taekwondo for her father. She breaks all the rules to audition for their idol's upcoming movie but can she survive it?
A. Y. Chan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Chinese American Mo wants to be best at taekwondo for her father. She breaks all the rules to audition for their idol's upcoming movie but can she survive it?
Leila and the Blue Fox
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Illustrator: Tom de Freston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
While on an Arctic expedition tracking a blue fox, Syrian English Leila, 12, struggles to come to terms with her absent scientist mother and how to rediscover herself. Bright blue illustrations.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Illustrator: Tom de Freston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
While on an Arctic expedition tracking a blue fox, Syrian English Leila, 12, struggles to come to terms with her absent scientist mother and how to rediscover herself. Bright blue illustrations.
Lifeboat 5
Susan Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
After their ship was torpedoed by Nazis during World War II, Bess and her best friend clung to an overturned lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean for 19 hours. Free verse. Based on a true story.
Susan Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
After their ship was torpedoed by Nazis during World War II, Bess and her best friend clung to an overturned lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean for 19 hours. Free verse. Based on a true story.
Listen to This
Jennifer Blecher
Illustrator: Maeve Norton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Dual perspectives show how Lily and Will cope with middle school, friendships, family, and change. Greyscale spot art.
Jennifer Blecher
Illustrator: Maeve Norton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
Dual perspectives show how Lily and Will cope with middle school, friendships, family, and change. Greyscale spot art.
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival
Trina Rathgeber
Illustrator: Alina Pete, Jillian Dolan, colors
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
During a snow storm, Ilse, a 13-year-old Indigenous girl, became separated from her family and had to survive the bitter cold wilderness alone. Clear, full-color illustrations.
Trina Rathgeber
Illustrator: Alina Pete, Jillian Dolan, colors
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
During a snow storm, Ilse, a 13-year-old Indigenous girl, became separated from her family and had to survive the bitter cold wilderness alone. Clear, full-color illustrations.
Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, The
Anna Rose Johnson
Illustrator: Emily Faith Johnson, map
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
In 1912 Lucy, a French Ojibwe orphan with an active imagination, finds life with a foster family in a lighthouse to be challenging. Greyscale map. Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) glossary; French glossary.
Anna Rose Johnson
Illustrator: Emily Faith Johnson, map
Ages: 12+
Published: 2024
In 1912 Lucy, a French Ojibwe orphan with an active imagination, finds life with a foster family in a lighthouse to be challenging. Greyscale map. Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) glossary; French glossary.