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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Tooth & Claw
by Deborah Noyes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Tales of competition and intrigue in the world of early paleontology describe science in the context of 19th century America. Extensive photographs and back matter.
by Deborah Noyes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Tales of competition and intrigue in the world of early paleontology describe science in the context of 19th century America. Extensive photographs and back matter.
Torpedoed
by Deborah Heiligman
Illustrator: Lawrence Lee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A war crime turns everyday people into heroes. Black and white illustrations, photos, and extensive back matter.
by Deborah Heiligman
Illustrator: Lawrence Lee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A war crime turns everyday people into heroes. Black and white illustrations, photos, and extensive back matter.
Trace
by Pat Cummings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The ghost of a child who dies when the New York City Colored Orphan Asylum burned down in the 1860s confronts Trace, 13. What's the connection?
by Pat Cummings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The ghost of a child who dies when the New York City Colored Orphan Asylum burned down in the 1860s confronts Trace, 13. What's the connection?
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong series)
by Kwame Mbalia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
When Tristan tumbles into MidPass while attempting to rescue a friend's journal, he must contend with haunted ships and iron monsters and find the god Anansi.
by Kwame Mbalia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
When Tristan tumbles into MidPass while attempting to rescue a friend's journal, he must contend with haunted ships and iron monsters and find the god Anansi.
Trouble Maker for Justice
by Jacqueline Houtman,
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Committed pacifist, passionate human rights activist, and unabashedly gay African American Bayard Rustin is presented in this thorough account. Photographs, documents, and bibliography are included in the back matter.
by Jacqueline Houtman,
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Committed pacifist, passionate human rights activist, and unabashedly gay African American Bayard Rustin is presented in this thorough account. Photographs, documents, and bibliography are included in the back matter.
Viral
by Ann Bausum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bausum traces the devastating pandemic from its mystifying beginnings through the long delayed efforts to combat the stigmatized illness. Black and white photographs.
by Ann Bausum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Bausum traces the devastating pandemic from its mystifying beginnings through the long delayed efforts to combat the stigmatized illness. Black and white photographs.
Vote!
by Coral Celeste Frazer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Race, class, alliances, passionate leaders, and feuds contributed to the dramatic struggle for women's suffrage. Historical context is clearly explained. Bold text features important background information. Archival photographs. Meticulous sourcing.
by Coral Celeste Frazer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Race, class, alliances, passionate leaders, and feuds contributed to the dramatic struggle for women's suffrage. Historical context is clearly explained. Bold text features important background information. Archival photographs. Meticulous sourcing.
War in the Ring
by John Florio
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Boxer Joe Louis was a hero to African Americans. When he faced Max Schmeling, the pride of Nazi Germany, Louis became a hero to white Americans too. Meticulously researched. Photographs.
by John Florio
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Boxer Joe Louis was a hero to African Americans. When he faced Max Schmeling, the pride of Nazi Germany, Louis became a hero to white Americans too. Meticulously researched. Photographs.
Warrior Queens
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Illustrator: Bill Mayer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
These ancient queens (1492 B.C.E. to 269 C.E.) led their armies as they fought for their countries. Photographs, black-and-white illustrations. Bibliography, index, citations.
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Illustrator: Bill Mayer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
These ancient queens (1492 B.C.E. to 269 C.E.) led their armies as they fought for their countries. Photographs, black-and-white illustrations. Bibliography, index, citations.
We Contain Multitudes
by Sarah Henstra
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A high school English assignment is the genesis for an unexpected friendship which develops into an even less expected romance in this epistolary novel.
by Sarah Henstra
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
A high school English assignment is the genesis for an unexpected friendship which develops into an even less expected romance in this epistolary novel.
What the Eagle Sees
by Eldon Yellowhorn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
ARC - The ways in which the people of Turtle Island reacted when invaded is presented through oral stories, biographies, and historical photographs. Additional back matter.
by Eldon Yellowhorn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
ARC - The ways in which the people of Turtle Island reacted when invaded is presented through oral stories, biographies, and historical photographs. Additional back matter.
When the Ground is Hard
by Malla Nunn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The tricky navigation of middle-school society is complicated by racial and class prejudices in Swaziland. Then a brutal neighbor brings the hostilities into the open.
by Malla Nunn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
The tricky navigation of middle-school society is complicated by racial and class prejudices in Swaziland. Then a brutal neighbor brings the hostilities into the open.
When We Were Lost
by Kevin Wignall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Tom never wanted to go on the high school plane trip. When the plane crashed, he and the others still alive had to figure out how to survive.
by Kevin Wignall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Tom never wanted to go on the high school plane trip. When the plane crashed, he and the others still alive had to figure out how to survive.
White Rose
by Kip Wilson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Sophie Scholl, brother Hans, and friends form White Rose, a resistance group who risk their lives fighting against the Nazi regime. Told in free verse. Glossary, sources.
by Kip Wilson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
Sophie Scholl, brother Hans, and friends form White Rose, a resistance group who risk their lives fighting against the Nazi regime. Told in free verse. Glossary, sources.
Women in the Military
by Connie Goldsmith
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
This in-depth study of women's expanding roles in the armed forces is enlivened by many personal stories. Extensive resource notes, photographs, index, bibliography.
by Connie Goldsmith
Ages: 12+
Published: 2019
This in-depth study of women's expanding roles in the armed forces is enlivened by many personal stories. Extensive resource notes, photographs, index, bibliography.
1968
edited by Marc Aronson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In this anthology, authors evoke the spirit of 1968, an especially intense year in a tumultuous, youth-driven decade. Map, photos and illustration. Back matter.
edited by Marc Aronson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In this anthology, authors evoke the spirit of 1968, an especially intense year in a tumultuous, youth-driven decade. Map, photos and illustration. Back matter.
Abraham Lincoln (The Making of America series)
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
This nuanced biography acknowledges the strengths and limitations of the Civil War president. Archival photos and engravings. Extensive backmatter.
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
This nuanced biography acknowledges the strengths and limitations of the Civil War president. Archival photos and engravings. Extensive backmatter.
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
by Atia Abawi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
After losing most of his family to one of Assad's bombs, Tareq, his father, and his sister flee Syria, a journey fraught with danger, disappointment, and separation.
by Atia Abawi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
After losing most of his family to one of Assad's bombs, Tareq, his father, and his sister flee Syria, a journey fraught with danger, disappointment, and separation.
All about Anne
by Menno Metselaar
Illustrator: Huck Scarry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Detailed drawings and many photographs provide a comprehensive exploration of Anne's life in Amsterdam, in the Secret Annex, and her death in Bergen-Belsen. Backmatter.
by Menno Metselaar
Illustrator: Huck Scarry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Detailed drawings and many photographs provide a comprehensive exploration of Anne's life in Amsterdam, in the Secret Annex, and her death in Bergen-Belsen. Backmatter.
A Possibility of Whales
by Karen Rivers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Motherless Nat, 12, and her famous actor father move every year to avoid the paparazzi. Will transgender Harry fill the hole in her lonely heart?
by Karen Rivers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Motherless Nat, 12, and her famous actor father move every year to avoid the paparazzi. Will transgender Harry fill the hole in her lonely heart?
A Sky Full of Stars
by Linda Williams Jackson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In 1955 Mississippi, Rose, 13, faces family issues, racism, and the dilemma of whether to participate in the growing civil rights movement.
by Linda Williams Jackson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In 1955 Mississippi, Rose, 13, faces family issues, racism, and the dilemma of whether to participate in the growing civil rights movement.
Attucks!
by Phillip Hoose
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The record-shattering all-black Attucks High School basketball team triumphed over racism and propelled Indianapolis' integration in the 1950s. The sports and civil rights aspects are equally well-documented.
by Phillip Hoose
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The record-shattering all-black Attucks High School basketball team triumphed over racism and propelled Indianapolis' integration in the 1950s. The sports and civil rights aspects are equally well-documented.
Because I Was a Girl
edited by Melissa de la Cruz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
From science to music production, journalism to political activism, 38 amazing women share their stories of overcoming gender-biased obstacles to achieve their goals. Photographs of each author.
edited by Melissa de la Cruz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
From science to music production, journalism to political activism, 38 amazing women share their stories of overcoming gender-biased obstacles to achieve their goals. Photographs of each author.
Becoming Madeleine
by Charlotte Jones Voiklis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
With copious original letters, photographs and journals, L'Engle's grandaughters show their grandmother's journey from creative child to author of The Wrinkle In Time and other books. Photographs.
by Charlotte Jones Voiklis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
With copious original letters, photographs and journals, L'Engle's grandaughters show their grandmother's journey from creative child to author of The Wrinkle In Time and other books. Photographs.
Belle's Journey
by Rob Bierregaard
Illustrator: Kate Garchinsky
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Scientists and children track a female osprey's migration from Massachusetts to South America and back. Dramatic watercolor pencil, ink, and aqua crayon illustrations. Back matter.
by Rob Bierregaard
Illustrator: Kate Garchinsky
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Scientists and children track a female osprey's migration from Massachusetts to South America and back. Dramatic watercolor pencil, ink, and aqua crayon illustrations. Back matter.