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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The Ambrose Deception
by Emily Ecton
Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Three students from different middle schools are chosen to compete for a $10,000 scholarship. Deliberately selected for their reputation as unqualified, they rise to the occasion. Spot illustrations.
by Emily Ecton
Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Three students from different middle schools are chosen to compete for a $10,000 scholarship. Deliberately selected for their reputation as unqualified, they rise to the occasion. Spot illustrations.
The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge
by M. T. Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Detailed black-and-white sketches alternate with witty text to tell of a lowly elf historian and spy and his goblin counterpart tasked to host him.
by M. T. Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Detailed black-and-white sketches alternate with witty text to tell of a lowly elf historian and spy and his goblin counterpart tasked to host him.
The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor
by Sonia Sotomayor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In an inspiring journey, the future Supreme Court Justice emerges from poverty in a Bronx project to overcome a language barrier, life threatening illness, and gender and ethnic prejudice. Photographs. Back matter.
by Sonia Sotomayor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In an inspiring journey, the future Supreme Court Justice emerges from poverty in a Bronx project to overcome a language barrier, life threatening illness, and gender and ethnic prejudice. Photographs. Back matter.
The Button War
by Avi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
During World War I, preteen boys start their own contest with tragic results when the Russian and German armies invade Poland.
by Avi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
During World War I, preteen boys start their own contest with tragic results when the Russian and German armies invade Poland.
The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Ten years after she was brought to Faerie against her will, Jude, a mortal, chooses a life of power and intrigue in the High Court.
by Holly Black
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Ten years after she was brought to Faerie against her will, Jude, a mortal, chooses a life of power and intrigue in the High Court.
The Eleventh Trade
by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When the musical instrument played by Sami and his grandfather, refugees from Afghanistan, is stolen and lands in a pawn shop, Sami barters to get it back.
by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When the musical instrument played by Sami and his grandfather, refugees from Afghanistan, is stolen and lands in a pawn shop, Sami barters to get it back.
The Faithful Spy
written and illustrated by John Hendrix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a member of the German Resistance, struggles with his faith as the plot to kill Hitler becomes a reality. Back matter. Dramatic graphic illustrations.
written and illustrated by John Hendrix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a member of the German Resistance, struggles with his faith as the plot to kill Hitler becomes a reality. Back matter. Dramatic graphic illustrations.
The Forest
by Riccardo Bozzi
Illustrator: Violeta Lópiz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A forest journey, depicted in dazzling paintings, die cuts, and embossed images, is presented as a metaphor for the life cycle.
by Riccardo Bozzi
Illustrator: Violeta Lópiz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A forest journey, depicted in dazzling paintings, die cuts, and embossed images, is presented as a metaphor for the life cycle.
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies
written and photographed by Joyce Sidman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The fascinating life and accomplishments of this pioneering 17th-century German naturalist, entomologist, and artist are explored through archival reproductions of her drawings, photos, and maps.
written and photographed by Joyce Sidman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The fascinating life and accomplishments of this pioneering 17th-century German naturalist, entomologist, and artist are explored through archival reproductions of her drawings, photos, and maps.
The Grand Escape
by Neal Bascomb
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In a daring feat of bravery, captured British officers tunnel underground to escape a German World War I prisoner-of-war camp. Archival photographs and diagrams. Back matter
by Neal Bascomb
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In a daring feat of bravery, captured British officers tunnel underground to escape a German World War I prisoner-of-war camp. Archival photographs and diagrams. Back matter
The House in Poplar Wood
by K. E. Ormsbee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The Vickery brothers grow up on opposite sides of their house, one with mother and one with father as part of an agreement made with Death.
by K. E. Ormsbee
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
The Vickery brothers grow up on opposite sides of their house, one with mother and one with father as part of an agreement made with Death.
The Island at the End of Everything
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In an attempt to combat leprosy (Hansen's Disease), the Philippine government separated the healthy from the ill. When uninfected 12-year-old Amihan must move to a distant orphanage, her world falls apart.
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
In an attempt to combat leprosy (Hansen's Disease), the Philippine government separated the healthy from the ill. When uninfected 12-year-old Amihan must move to a distant orphanage, her world falls apart.
The Jigsaw Jungle
by Kristin Levine
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When Claudia's father vanishes, jigsaw puzzles and old family movies lead her to his hidden time capsule and help solve the mystery of his disappearance.
by Kristin Levine
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When Claudia's father vanishes, jigsaw puzzles and old family movies lead her to his hidden time capsule and help solve the mystery of his disappearance.
The Journey of Little Charlie
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
An evil plantation overseer forces Charlie,12, the son of sharecroppers, to search for fugitive enslaved Africans to pay off his family's debt.
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
An evil plantation overseer forces Charlie,12, the son of sharecroppers, to search for fugitive enslaved Africans to pay off his family's debt.
The Length of a String
by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
On the eve of her bat mitzvah, the discovery of her great-grandmother's diary helps Imani discover her place as an African American adoptee in a Jewish family.
by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
On the eve of her bat mitzvah, the discovery of her great-grandmother's diary helps Imani discover her place as an African American adoptee in a Jewish family.
The Looking Glass
by Janet McNally
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When her older sister Julia, a top ballet dancer at a prestigious school, runs away from home, Sylvie sets out to find her.
by Janet McNally
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
When her older sister Julia, a top ballet dancer at a prestigious school, runs away from home, Sylvie sets out to find her.
The Memory of Forgotten Things
by Kat Zhang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Does Sophia, 12, remember things that haven't happened because she was born during a partial solar eclipse? And what will happen now that a total solar eclipse looms?
by Kat Zhang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Does Sophia, 12, remember things that haven't happened because she was born during a partial solar eclipse? And what will happen now that a total solar eclipse looms?
The Middle Passage
written and illustrated by Tom Feelings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Feelings's 20-year-old wordless masterpiece, depicting in black-and-white drawings the horrors of the slave trade, is updated and given context with new introductions. New edition of 1995 book.
written and illustrated by Tom Feelings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Feelings's 20-year-old wordless masterpiece, depicting in black-and-white drawings the horrors of the slave trade, is updated and given context with new introductions. New edition of 1995 book.
The Night Diary
by Veera Hiranandani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Through diary entries dedicated to her deceased Muslim mother, Nisha describes the conflicts that tear India apart and forces her Hindu father and family to flee their home in Pakistan.
by Veera Hiranandani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Through diary entries dedicated to her deceased Muslim mother, Nisha describes the conflicts that tear India apart and forces her Hindu father and family to flee their home in Pakistan.
The Not so Boring Letters of Private Nobody
by Matthew Landis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
During a Civil War project seventh-grader Oliver, paired with a failing student, learns more than historical facts and a lot about human nature.
by Matthew Landis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
During a Civil War project seventh-grader Oliver, paired with a failing student, learns more than historical facts and a lot about human nature.
The State of Grace
by Rachael Lucas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Grace, a British teenager, tries to become more social and enjoy having a boyfriend as she also deals with being on the autism spectrum.
by Rachael Lucas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Grace, a British teenager, tries to become more social and enjoy having a boyfriend as she also deals with being on the autism spectrum.
The Strange True Tale of Frankenstein's creator Mary Shelly
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Learn about the strange, tragic life of the versatile 19th century writer whose many works include a tale that has intrigued for two hundred years. Archival photos, back matter.
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Learn about the strange, tragic life of the versatile 19th century writer whose many works include a tale that has intrigued for two hundred years. Archival photos, back matter.
They Call Me Güero
by David Bowles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Mexican American 7th grader Güero grounds himself in family traditions, supportive friends, teachers, and his budding love of poetry. Glossary of Spanish terms.
by David Bowles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Mexican American 7th grader Güero grounds himself in family traditions, supportive friends, teachers, and his budding love of poetry. Glossary of Spanish terms.
Tight
by Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A new classmate seems like a good friend until she starts asking Bryan to take increasingly dangerous chances.
by Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
A new classmate seems like a good friend until she starts asking Bryan to take increasingly dangerous chances.
Tiny Infinities
by J. H. Diehl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Thirteen-year-old Alice moves into the backyard tent to protest her parents' separation. This summer will teach her much about both possibility and responsibility.
by J. H. Diehl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2018
Thirteen-year-old Alice moves into the backyard tent to protest her parents' separation. This summer will teach her much about both possibility and responsibility.