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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Be Prepared
by Vera Brosgol
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Struggling to fit in with American kids, Russian immigrant Vera tries Russian sleep-away camp. Can she survive the stinky latrines, forced marching, and mean girls? Graphic format in black-and-white with green tones.
by Vera Brosgol
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Struggling to fit in with American kids, Russian immigrant Vera tries Russian sleep-away camp. Can she survive the stinky latrines, forced marching, and mean girls? Graphic format in black-and-white with green tones.
Between the Lines
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Realistic, sensitively drawn characters populate a high school poetry class. Revealing their inner fears, pain, and loneliness through their poetry, they grow together to meet life's challenges.
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Realistic, sensitively drawn characters populate a high school poetry class. Revealing their inner fears, pain, and loneliness through their poetry, they grow together to meet life's challenges.
Blacklisted!
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In 1947, the US House Committee on Un-American Activities accused 19 people in the film industry of disloyalty to the nation. They fought back. Archival photos, back matter.
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In 1947, the US House Committee on Un-American Activities accused 19 people in the film industry of disloyalty to the nation. They fought back. Archival photos, back matter.
Blended
by Sharon M. Draper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
With antagonistic, divorced parents, (a black father and a white mother), musically gifted Isabella struggles with switching expectations and changing family structures.
by Sharon M. Draper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
With antagonistic, divorced parents, (a black father and a white mother), musically gifted Isabella struggles with switching expectations and changing family structures.
Bone's Gift (Ghosts of Ordinary Objects series)
by Angie Smibert
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In a small Appalachian town, Bone, 12, learns about her gift - the ability to intuit peoples' stories when they have been hidden.
by Angie Smibert
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In a small Appalachian town, Bone, 12, learns about her gift - the ability to intuit peoples' stories when they have been hidden.
Boots on the Ground
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Dramatic account of Vietnam War incorporating oral histories from those who fought into a backdrop of the political realities that determined leadership decisions. Archival photographs.
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Dramatic account of Vietnam War incorporating oral histories from those who fought into a backdrop of the political realities that determined leadership decisions. Archival photographs.
Buried Lives
by Carla Killough McClafferty
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The author chronicles six men and women, owned by Washington or his wife, and provides details about their daily lives and possible thoughts. Archival material, photographs, and back matter.
by Carla Killough McClafferty
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The author chronicles six men and women, owned by Washington or his wife, and provides details about their daily lives and possible thoughts. Archival material, photographs, and back matter.
Calling All Minds
by Temple Grandin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The personal stories behind design projects are presented along with a history of patents and diverse inventors. Detailed illustrations and photographs.
by Temple Grandin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The personal stories behind design projects are presented along with a history of patents and diverse inventors. Detailed illustrations and photographs.
Champion
by Sally M. Walker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A compelling, inspiring account of ingenious, scientific efforts to end the killing blight and restore this North American indigenous tree that once provided food and shelter for people and animals. Photographs, source notes, primary sources.
by Sally M. Walker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A compelling, inspiring account of ingenious, scientific efforts to end the killing blight and restore this North American indigenous tree that once provided food and shelter for people and animals. Photographs, source notes, primary sources.
Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species
adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
Illustrator: Teagan White
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is made accessible. Includes contemporary information and insights, graphics, photographs, back matter.
adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
Illustrator: Teagan White
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is made accessible. Includes contemporary information and insights, graphics, photographs, back matter.
Confusion is Nothing New
by Paul Acampora
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When 14-year-old Ellie is told of the death of the musician mother she has never met, she determines to get to know her.
by Paul Acampora
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When 14-year-old Ellie is told of the death of the musician mother she has never met, she determines to get to know her.
Courage
by Barbara Binns
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
T'Shawn hasn't forgiven his jailed brother for gang-related crimes. Struggling to achieve his own dreams, he must cope with his brother's early parole.
by Barbara Binns
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
T'Shawn hasn't forgiven his jailed brother for gang-related crimes. Struggling to achieve his own dreams, he must cope with his brother's early parole.
Crash
by Marc Favreau
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Notable events, prominent leaders, and ordinary citizens are detailed in this look at the most severe recession of the 20th century. Archival photographs, primary source material, and extensive back matter.
by Marc Favreau
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Notable events, prominent leaders, and ordinary citizens are detailed in this look at the most severe recession of the 20th century. Archival photographs, primary source material, and extensive back matter.
D-Day
by Deborah Hopkinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Men and women, white and black, remember their harrowing experiences on June 6, 1944. Archival photographs, maps, and back matter.
by Deborah Hopkinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Men and women, white and black, remember their harrowing experiences on June 6, 1944. Archival photographs, maps, and back matter.
Dolores Huerta Stands Strong
by Marlene Targ Brill
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A community organizer travels from poverty to political victory becoming the second Mexican American woman to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
by Marlene Targ Brill
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A community organizer travels from poverty to political victory becoming the second Mexican American woman to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Dry
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When California runs completely out of water, a group of teens desperately try to survive amid severe thirst, mass pandemonium, and lawlessness.
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When California runs completely out of water, a group of teens desperately try to survive amid severe thirst, mass pandemonium, and lawlessness.
Eleanor Roosevelt
by Ilene Cooper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
This first lady learned and grew as she led. Through observing, asking, and listening, she acquired an understanding of racial injustice. Photographs.
by Ilene Cooper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
This first lady learned and grew as she led. Through observing, asking, and listening, she acquired an understanding of racial injustice. Photographs.
Escape from Aleppo
by N. H. Senzai
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
For five days in 2013, Nadia travels through the streets of war-torn Aleppo and the Syrian countryside beyond, trying to reach her family in Turkey.
by N. H. Senzai
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
For five days in 2013, Nadia travels through the streets of war-torn Aleppo and the Syrian countryside beyond, trying to reach her family in Turkey.
Everlasting Nora
by Marie Miranda Cruz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Homeless, brave, resourceful Nora and her troubled mother struggle to survive in a Filipino cemetery encampment while dreaming of a return to school and a safe family life.
by Marie Miranda Cruz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Homeless, brave, resourceful Nora and her troubled mother struggle to survive in a Filipino cemetery encampment while dreaming of a return to school and a safe family life.
Everything Else in the Universe
by Tracy Holczer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When Lucy's dad, an Army doctor in the Vietnam War, returns as an amputee, she confronts her altered family life and her views of the war.
by Tracy Holczer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When Lucy's dad, an Army doctor in the Vietnam War, returns as an amputee, she confronts her altered family life and her views of the war.
Everything I Know About You
by Barbara Dee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Assigned to room with an archenemy on the 7th grade class trip to Washington, DC, Tally discovers Ava's disturbing secret. Should she tell? Back matter with lists of resources and eating disorder facilities.
by Barbara Dee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Assigned to room with an archenemy on the 7th grade class trip to Washington, DC, Tally discovers Ava's disturbing secret. Should she tell? Back matter with lists of resources and eating disorder facilities.
Facing Frederick
by Tonya Bolden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
ARC Vivid narration, archival photos, and prints document the political and private life of this complex legendary escaped slave, abolitionist, author, and orator. Detailed back matter.
by Tonya Bolden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
ARC Vivid narration, archival photos, and prints document the political and private life of this complex legendary escaped slave, abolitionist, author, and orator. Detailed back matter.
Fake Blood
written and illustrated by Whitney Gardner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Sixth-grader AJ is paired with his secret crush, Nia, for a research project. Her obsession with vampires causes AJ to act like one. Brightly colored digital illustrations with a diverse cast of characters.
written and illustrated by Whitney Gardner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Sixth-grader AJ is paired with his secret crush, Nia, for a research project. Her obsession with vampires causes AJ to act like one. Brightly colored digital illustrations with a diverse cast of characters.
Five Feet Apart
by Rachael Lippincott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Teenagers with cyctic fibrosis meet in a hospital. Complicated relationships ensue.
by Rachael Lippincott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Teenagers with cyctic fibrosis meet in a hospital. Complicated relationships ensue.
Fly Girls
by P. O'Connell Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Despite strong prejudice and danger, women flew test planes and ferried planes across the United States in support of the war effort. Photographs. Back matter.
by P. O'Connell Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Despite strong prejudice and danger, women flew test planes and ferried planes across the United States in support of the war effort. Photographs. Back matter.