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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Farther Than the Moon
Lindsay Lackey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Houston, 13, accepted into a junior astronaut program, has to leave behind his brother, Robbie, who has cerebral palsy. Overcome with guilt, Houston tries to find a way to give Robbie his own lunar experience.
Lindsay Lackey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Houston, 13, accepted into a junior astronaut program, has to leave behind his brother, Robbie, who has cerebral palsy. Overcome with guilt, Houston tries to find a way to give Robbie his own lunar experience.
Finally Seen
Kelly Yang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Left in Beijing five years ago, Lina rejoins her parents in California and discovers how precarious their lives are. What might be within her power to do?
Kelly Yang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Left in Beijing five years ago, Lina rejoins her parents in California and discovers how precarious their lives are. What might be within her power to do?
Firefly Summer, The
Morgan Matson
Illustrator: Celia Krampien, maps
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
An unexpected invitation for Ryanna to spend the summer in the Poconos with the maternal grandparents and cousins she has never met leads to uncovering a family mystery. Black-and-white spot art. Maps.
Morgan Matson
Illustrator: Celia Krampien, maps
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
An unexpected invitation for Ryanna to spend the summer in the Poconos with the maternal grandparents and cousins she has never met leads to uncovering a family mystery. Black-and-white spot art. Maps.
Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, The
Sally J. Pla
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Maudie's mom and stepdad can't accept her autistic coping mechanisms. She spends the summer with her dad, hoping for a permanent escape, but then there's a wildfire.
Sally J. Pla
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Maudie's mom and stepdad can't accept her autistic coping mechanisms. She spends the summer with her dad, hoping for a permanent escape, but then there's a wildfire.
First Time for Everything, A
Dan Santat
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A school trip to Europe helps Dan, 13, come out of his shell and become more confident in himself and his art. Full-color artwork. Back matter.
Dan Santat
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A school trip to Europe helps Dan, 13, come out of his shell and become more confident in himself and his art. Full-color artwork. Back matter.
Forget-Me-Not Blue
Sharelle Byars Moranville
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A troubled, unstable mother who ends up in prison has made 10-year-old Sofie's life a nightmare. In spite of support from her brother, a teacher, and friends, foster care looms.
Sharelle Byars Moranville
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A troubled, unstable mother who ends up in prison has made 10-year-old Sofie's life a nightmare. In spite of support from her brother, a teacher, and friends, foster care looms.
Girl from Earth's End, The
Tara Dairman
Illustrator: Chantal Horeis; Christine Engels, map
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Henna leaves her dads and solitary home in the hope of finding a rare seed to make a miracle cure and save her family. Map. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Tara Dairman
Illustrator: Chantal Horeis; Christine Engels, map
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Henna leaves her dads and solitary home in the hope of finding a rare seed to make a miracle cure and save her family. Map. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Girl Who Fell to Earth, The
Patricia Forde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Fourteen-year-old Aria, from the planet Terros, is sent on a mission to destroy life on Earth, but discovers to her shock that she has human DNA.
Patricia Forde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Fourteen-year-old Aria, from the planet Terros, is sent on a mission to destroy life on Earth, but discovers to her shock that she has human DNA.
Global
Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano; Chris Dickey, lettering
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Two children, one in the Arctic Circle, the other in the Bay of Bengal, fight for their lives amid environmental change. Rich, dynamic illustrations. End notes on global warming.
Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano; Chris Dickey, lettering
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Two children, one in the Arctic Circle, the other in the Bay of Bengal, fight for their lives amid environmental change. Rich, dynamic illustrations. End notes on global warming.
Good Different
Meg Eden Kuyatt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
While navigating middle school, Selah, 13, learns she is on the autism spectrum. Empathetic and hopeful free verse poems explore her journey of self-discovery.
Meg Eden Kuyatt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
While navigating middle school, Selah, 13, learns she is on the autism spectrum. Empathetic and hopeful free verse poems explore her journey of self-discovery.
Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness (Orca Wild series)
Frances Backhouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Learn how these giant bears, an important umbrella species, can peacefully coexist with people and how they are affected by the climate crisis. Color photographs. Glossary, sources, index.
Frances Backhouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Learn how these giant bears, an important umbrella species, can peacefully coexist with people and how they are affected by the climate crisis. Color photographs. Glossary, sources, index.
Half Moon Summer
Elaine Vickers
Illustrator: Chloe Zola
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A boring summer takes an interesting turn for Drew when he meets Mia. Drew's father, dealing with failing health, encourages them to participate in a half marathon. Digital black-and-white spot illustrations.
Elaine Vickers
Illustrator: Chloe Zola
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A boring summer takes an interesting turn for Drew when he meets Mia. Drew's father, dealing with failing health, encourages them to participate in a half marathon. Digital black-and-white spot illustrations.
Hands
Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Trev, a Black tween, would do anything to protect his mom from his stepdad. He believes that learning to fight is his only option. Adults in his life disagree.
Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Trev, a Black tween, would do anything to protect his mom from his stepdad. He believes that learning to fight is his only option. Adults in his life disagree.
Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis
Susan Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
During World War II, Sinding and other Danes risked their lives to smuggle Jews to safety in Sweden. Free verse, concrete poetry, cinquain, and more. Archival photos. Poetry notes, detailed sources.
Susan Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
During World War II, Sinding and other Danes risked their lives to smuggle Jews to safety in Sweden. Free verse, concrete poetry, cinquain, and more. Archival photos. Poetry notes, detailed sources.
Hoops
Matt Tavares
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In 1975, when her high school finally forms a women's basketball team, player Judi Wilson quickly discovers the disparities between men's and women's sports. Inspired by a true story. Crisp, colorful digital art. Back matter.
Matt Tavares
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In 1975, when her high school finally forms a women's basketball team, player Judi Wilson quickly discovers the disparities between men's and women's sports. Inspired by a true story. Crisp, colorful digital art. Back matter.
How to Be a (Young) Antiracist
Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Through second-person narration, Stone, a young adult author, masterfully adapts and enlivens Kendi's How to Be an Antracist for middle and high school students. Excellent endnotes.
Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Through second-person narration, Stone, a young adult author, masterfully adapts and enlivens Kendi's How to Be an Antracist for middle and high school students. Excellent endnotes.
Huda F Cares?
Huda Fahmy
Illustrator: Huda Fahmy, colors by Weinye Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Will Huda and her sisters bond on their family trip to Disney World? How do they handle being so visibly Muslim? Simple yet expressive cartoon-style artwork.
Huda Fahmy
Illustrator: Huda Fahmy, colors by Weinye Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Will Huda and her sisters bond on their family trip to Disney World? How do they handle being so visibly Muslim? Simple yet expressive cartoon-style artwork.
In-Between, The
Katie Van Heidrich
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In this free-verse memoir, Katie, a biracial teen, looks back on the time when her sister, brother, and divorced mother moved into an extended-stay motel room following their latest eviction. Family photos.
Katie Van Heidrich
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
In this free-verse memoir, Katie, a biracial teen, looks back on the time when her sister, brother, and divorced mother moved into an extended-stay motel room following their latest eviction. Family photos.
Indigo and Ida
Heather Murphy Capps
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Biracial eighth grader Indigo, inspired by Ida B. Wells, exposes discrimination in school, jeopardizing close friendships and disrupting her life.
Heather Murphy Capps
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Biracial eighth grader Indigo, inspired by Ida B. Wells, exposes discrimination in school, jeopardizing close friendships and disrupting her life.
Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom
Nina Varela
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her family moves yet again, shy loner Juniper must try to adapt. An unexpected friendship with magical Princess Galatea and the discovery of amazing secret powers change Juniper's life.
Nina Varela
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
When her family moves yet again, shy loner Juniper must try to adapt. An unexpected friendship with magical Princess Galatea and the discovery of amazing secret powers change Juniper's life.
Labors of Hercules Beal, The
Gary D. Schmidt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A perceptive teacher helps a compassionate, orphaned seventh grader deal with grief by requiring him to relate Hercules's 12 labors to events in his own life. Quirky, humorous voice.
Gary D. Schmidt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
A perceptive teacher helps a compassionate, orphaned seventh grader deal with grief by requiring him to relate Hercules's 12 labors to events in his own life. Quirky, humorous voice.
Land of Broken Promises
Jane Kuo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Anna (Ai Shi) and her immigrant Taiwanese family work hard to make ends meet in California. Then they discover that their visas have expired. Free verse.
Jane Kuo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Anna (Ai Shi) and her immigrant Taiwanese family work hard to make ends meet in California. Then they discover that their visas have expired. Free verse.
Learning to Be Wild: How Animals Achieve Peace, Create Beauty, and Raise Families
Carl Safina
Illustrator: Carl Safina
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Social learning and culture are not confined to humans. Ecologist Safina joins field scientists and provides vivid details about the chimpanzees, sperm whales, and macaws they study. Black-and-white photographs. Young readers edition of Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace.
Carl Safina
Illustrator: Carl Safina
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Social learning and culture are not confined to humans. Ecologist Safina joins field scientists and provides vivid details about the chimpanzees, sperm whales, and macaws they study. Black-and-white photographs. Young readers edition of Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace.
Lost in Taiwan
Mark Crilley
Illustrator: Mark Crilley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Reluctantly visiting Taiwan, ill-tempered teen Paul goes on a quest to find a new video game, drops his phone in a puddle, and gets lost. Pencil and watercolor artwork.
Mark Crilley
Illustrator: Mark Crilley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Reluctantly visiting Taiwan, ill-tempered teen Paul goes on a quest to find a new video game, drops his phone in a puddle, and gets lost. Pencil and watercolor artwork.
Lost Year, The
Katherine Marsh
Illustrator: Maria Skliarova
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Separated from his journalist father during COVID, Matthew, 13, discovers a deeply held family secret about his great-grandmother's life in Ukraine during the 1930s Holodomor famine. Black-and-white spot illustrations. Back matter.
Katherine Marsh
Illustrator: Maria Skliarova
Ages: 12+
Published: 2023
Separated from his journalist father during COVID, Matthew, 13, discovers a deeply held family secret about his great-grandmother's life in Ukraine during the 1930s Holodomor famine. Black-and-white spot illustrations. Back matter.