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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Enemy Child
by Andrea Warren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A young child forcibly interned with his family grows up to become a congressman committed to justice. Archival photographs and extensive back matter.
by Andrea Warren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A young child forcibly interned with his family grows up to become a congressman committed to justice. Archival photographs and extensive back matter.
Fake News
by Michael Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
By providing clues to analyze the news, the work of journalists is contrasted with the perpetration of hoaxes and propaganda. Photographs, graphics, and extensive back matter.
by Michael Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
By providing clues to analyze the news, the work of journalists is contrasted with the perpetration of hoaxes and propaganda. Photographs, graphics, and extensive back matter.
Fighter in Velvet Gloves
by Annie Boochever
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Angered by the signs in Alaska saying “No Natives or Dogs Allowed,” and other discriminations, this native became a civil rights leader and helped pass the Alaskan Anti-Discrimination Act in 1945. Photographs, time line, glossary, bibliography.
by Annie Boochever
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Angered by the signs in Alaska saying “No Natives or Dogs Allowed,” and other discriminations, this native became a civil rights leader and helped pass the Alaskan Anti-Discrimination Act in 1945. Photographs, time line, glossary, bibliography.
Fighting for the Forest
by P. O'Connell Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The history of the long-lasting impact of F.D.R.'s Civilian Conservation Corps (193301942) is enhanced by personal stories. Endnotes, bibliography, index, archival photographs.
by P. O'Connell Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The history of the long-lasting impact of F.D.R.'s Civilian Conservation Corps (193301942) is enhanced by personal stories. Endnotes, bibliography, index, archival photographs.
For Black Girls Like Me
by Mariama J. Lockington
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Adopted by a white family, Makeda, who is black, struggles to find her place in the white world, complicated by her mother's mental illness.
by Mariama J. Lockington
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Adopted by a white family, Makeda, who is black, struggles to find her place in the white world, complicated by her mother's mental illness.
For to See the Elephant
by Tammi J. Truax
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Based on primary sources and told in verse, an enslaved African boy cares for the first elephants brought to post-colonial America. Author's note, discussion questions, sources.
by Tammi J. Truax
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Based on primary sources and told in verse, an enslaved African boy cares for the first elephants brought to post-colonial America. Author's note, discussion questions, sources.
Frankin D. Roosevelt (The Making of America series)
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The only person to be elected president four times, Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Includes index, notes, speeches, timelines, and photos.
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The only person to be elected president four times, Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Includes index, notes, speeches, timelines, and photos.
Free Lunch
by Rex Ogle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Living in poverty with abusive parents, sixth-grader Rex struggles to maintain his dignity while accepting free lunch in school and resolves to develop his talents as a writer.
by Rex Ogle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Living in poverty with abusive parents, sixth-grader Rex struggles to maintain his dignity while accepting free lunch in school and resolves to develop his talents as a writer.
Funny, You Don't Look Autistic
by Michael McCreary
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In a world where autism is only spoken about clinically, this book fills a void by describing a fulfilling life on the autistic spectrum.
by Michael McCreary
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In a world where autism is only spoken about clinically, this book fills a void by describing a fulfilling life on the autistic spectrum.
Game of Stars (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series)
by Sayantani Dasgupta
Illustrator: Vivienne To
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Twelve-year-old Indian princess living in New Jersey returns to another dimension to rescue a friend. Author's note informs readers about Bengali folk tales, alchemy, astronomy, and more.
by Sayantani Dasgupta
Illustrator: Vivienne To
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Twelve-year-old Indian princess living in New Jersey returns to another dimension to rescue a friend. Author's note informs readers about Bengali folk tales, alchemy, astronomy, and more.
Genesis Begins Again
by Alicia D. Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Genesis faces her father's alcoholism, her family's financial instability, and colorist insults, not only in her community, but from within her own family.
by Alicia D. Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Genesis faces her father's alcoholism, her family's financial instability, and colorist insults, not only in her community, but from within her own family.
Ghost
written and illustrated by Illustrátus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Two boys in summer camp sneak off to the groundskeeper's cabin in the middle of the night to hear his frightening tales. Spooky digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Illustrátus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Two boys in summer camp sneak off to the groundskeeper's cabin in the middle of the night to hear his frightening tales. Spooky digital illustrations.
Girl of the Southern Sea
by Michelle Kadarusman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In the Jakarta slums, motherless Nia, 14, an aspiring writer, must support herself and her little brother when their alcoholic father abandons them. Glossary.
by Michelle Kadarusman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In the Jakarta slums, motherless Nia, 14, an aspiring writer, must support herself and her little brother when their alcoholic father abandons them. Glossary.
Girl Under a Red Moon
by Da Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Granddaughter of landowners, Sisi, with her brother Da, flees her native village after her shaming by Red Guards. A harrowing story of survival during the Cultural Revolution in China. Black-and-white ink drawings.
by Da Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Granddaughter of landowners, Sisi, with her brother Da, flees her native village after her shaming by Red Guards. A harrowing story of survival during the Cultural Revolution in China. Black-and-white ink drawings.
Good Enough
by Jen Petro-Roy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Sent to a residential eating disorder clinic, Riley vividly describes her struggles with eating and self image.
by Jen Petro-Roy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Sent to a residential eating disorder clinic, Riley vividly describes her struggles with eating and self image.
Grimoire Noir
by Vera Greentea
Illustrator: Yana Bogatch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bucky, 15, is determined to find his missing younger sister in a town where only girls have magic powers. Gothic illustrations with eerie, limited color palette.
by Vera Greentea
Illustrator: Yana Bogatch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bucky, 15, is determined to find his missing younger sister in a town where only girls have magic powers. Gothic illustrations with eerie, limited color palette.
Harvey Comes Home
by Colleen Nelson
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A boy who works at a retirement home rescues a stray. After a reclusive resident bonds with the dog the boy keeps it. Soft black-and-white illustrations.
by Colleen Nelson
Illustrator: Tara Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A boy who works at a retirement home rescues a stray. After a reclusive resident bonds with the dog the boy keeps it. Soft black-and-white illustrations.
Hold My Hand
by Michael Barakiva
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
As Alek and Ethan prepare to celebrate their six-month anniversary, big questions arise which threaten to imperil their relationship.
by Michael Barakiva
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
As Alek and Ethan prepare to celebrate their six-month anniversary, big questions arise which threaten to imperil their relationship.
How High the Moon
by Karyn Parsons
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In 1944, when Ella, 11, returns to South Carolina after a visit to Boston, she learns that her schoolmate has been charged with murdering two white girls.
by Karyn Parsons
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
In 1944, when Ella, 11, returns to South Carolina after a visit to Boston, she learns that her schoolmate has been charged with murdering two white girls.
Infinite Hope
written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bryan recalls the three years he spent in the army during World War II, dealing with segregation, racism, and the D-Day invasion. Includes letters. [descrtipion of the art is needed]
written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bryan recalls the three years he spent in the army during World War II, dealing with segregation, racism, and the D-Day invasion. Includes letters. [descrtipion of the art is needed]
It Rained Warm Bread
by Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet
Illustrator: Lea Lyon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The author and her poet collaborator retell her Polish-Jewish father's survival story in the years he and his family were imprisoned in Nazi labor and concentration camps. Told in free verse. Intermittent sepia illustrations.
by Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet
Illustrator: Lea Lyon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The author and her poet collaborator retell her Polish-Jewish father's survival story in the years he and his family were imprisoned in Nazi labor and concentration camps. Told in free verse. Intermittent sepia illustrations.
It's the End of the World As I Know It
by Matthew Landis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
After the sudden death of his mother, eighth-grader Derrick prepares for doomsday until friendship convinces him life is worth living.
by Matthew Landis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
After the sudden death of his mother, eighth-grader Derrick prepares for doomsday until friendship convinces him life is worth living.
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The well-known comedian recounts the complicated story of growing up in a segregated society.
by Trevor Noah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The well-known comedian recounts the complicated story of growing up in a segregated society.
Just South of Home
by Karen Strong
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Dark racist secrets haunting the past of a Georgia town begin to be revealed as four young explorers encounter a ghost who seeks justice and closure.
by Karen Strong
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Dark racist secrets haunting the past of a Georgia town begin to be revealed as four young explorers encounter a ghost who seeks justice and closure.
Lenny's Book of Everything
by Karen Foxlee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Lenny, 11, and her younger brother, a victim of a rare form of giantism, obsess over the contents of monthly installments of an encyclopedia - even as Davey's health deteriorates.
by Karen Foxlee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Lenny, 11, and her younger brother, a victim of a rare form of giantism, obsess over the contents of monthly installments of an encyclopedia - even as Davey's health deteriorates.