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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Cyclone
by Doreen Cronin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Nora must deal with the consequences of forcing her cousin to ride the Cyclone when Riley suffers an unusual stroke. Pencil line drawings.
by Doreen Cronin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Nora must deal with the consequences of forcing her cousin to ride the Cyclone when Riley suffers an unusual stroke. Pencil line drawings.
Death on the River of Doubt
by Samantha Seiple
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A lively look at the 26th president, particularly his adventures in Brazil's Amazon jungle, mapping an undocumented river. Archival photos, maps, charts, timeline, sources, index.
by Samantha Seiple
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A lively look at the 26th president, particularly his adventures in Brazil's Amazon jungle, mapping an undocumented river. Archival photos, maps, charts, timeline, sources, index.
Dragonfly Song
by Wendy Orr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Outcast Aissa has a talent for singing, but is voiceless. Chosen as the island's sacrifice to the Bull-King, will her gift ever be revealed? Told through a mixture of poetry and prose.
by Wendy Orr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Outcast Aissa has a talent for singing, but is voiceless. Chosen as the island's sacrifice to the Bull-King, will her gift ever be revealed? Told through a mixture of poetry and prose.
Elizabeth and Zenobia
by Jessica Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Elizabeth and Zenobia, her imaginary friend, discover what tragic secrets their new home is protecting in its hidden staircases, forbidden rooms, and gloomy gardens. Gothic black-and-white illustrations.
by Jessica Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Elizabeth and Zenobia, her imaginary friend, discover what tragic secrets their new home is protecting in its hidden staircases, forbidden rooms, and gloomy gardens. Gothic black-and-white illustrations.
Evangelina Takes Flight
by Diana J. Noble
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In 1911, thirteen-year-old Evangelina and her family must leave Mexico because of revolutionaries. Will their new town in the U.S. ever permit her to be educated and to feel comfortable?
by Diana J. Noble
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In 1911, thirteen-year-old Evangelina and her family must leave Mexico because of revolutionaries. Will their new town in the U.S. ever permit her to be educated and to feel comfortable?
Everything All at Once
by Katrina Leno
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Lottie has inherited a series of letters from her favorite aunt who died of cancer. These letters lead her into a variety of adventures.
by Katrina Leno
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Lottie has inherited a series of letters from her favorite aunt who died of cancer. These letters lead her into a variety of adventures.
Fault Lines in the Constitution
by Cynthia Levinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Alternating accounts from the 1787 Constitutional Convention and contemporary examples reveal complexities and imperfections of one of our nation's founding documents. Poster-like infographics. Extensive back matter.
by Cynthia Levinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Alternating accounts from the 1787 Constitutional Convention and contemporary examples reveal complexities and imperfections of one of our nation's founding documents. Poster-like infographics. Extensive back matter.
Flight Risk
by Jennifer Fenn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Robert Jackson Kelley, 18, needs to get out of his small town. How better than to steal a plane or two - or three?
by Jennifer Fenn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Robert Jackson Kelley, 18, needs to get out of his small town. How better than to steal a plane or two - or three?
Flying Lessons & Other Stories
edited by Ellen Oh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Ten seemingly disparate stories about young people are connected by their humanity and the importance of valuing difference.
edited by Ellen Oh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Ten seemingly disparate stories about young people are connected by their humanity and the importance of valuing difference.
Girl Rising
by Tanya Lee Stone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Denied education and forced into childhood marriages, millions of the world's poorest girls are condemned. Archival photos and information about supportive organizations offer challenge and hope.
by Tanya Lee Stone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Denied education and forced into childhood marriages, millions of the world's poorest girls are condemned. Archival photos and information about supportive organizations offer challenge and hope.
Goldeline
by Jimmy Cajoleas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After her mother is burned as a witch, Goldeline lives as a bandit until she rescues a boy who transforms her life.
by Jimmy Cajoleas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After her mother is burned as a witch, Goldeline lives as a bandit until she rescues a boy who transforms her life.
Greetings from Witness Protection!
by Jake Burt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - A middle-grader in foster care joins a family in the Witness Protection program in the hope that the addition of a girl will confuse the criminals looking for the family.
by Jake Burt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - A middle-grader in foster care joins a family in the Witness Protection program in the hope that the addition of a girl will confuse the criminals looking for the family.
Have Sword, Will Travel
by Garth Nix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Knighted by a talking sword, Odo embarks on a quest to slay a dragon, accompanied by Eleanor, whose dreams of adventure have come true.
by Garth Nix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Knighted by a talking sword, Odo embarks on a quest to slay a dragon, accompanied by Eleanor, whose dreams of adventure have come true.
Hear the Wolves
by Victoria Scott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Sloan, 12, and her neighbors must make a brutal trek through the Alaskan wilderness with ravenous wolves on their tail.
by Victoria Scott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Sloan, 12, and her neighbors must make a brutal trek through the Alaskan wilderness with ravenous wolves on their tail.
Hell & High Water
by Tanya Landman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In England in 1752, Caleb, determined to uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death, exposes a local land baron's criminal plot.
by Tanya Landman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In England in 1752, Caleb, determined to uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death, exposes a local land baron's criminal plot.
Hello, Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When a bully throws Virgil's backpack down a well, Virgil goes down after it and can't get out. Who will rescue him? Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When a bully throws Virgil's backpack down a well, Virgil goes down after it and can't get out. Who will rescue him? Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Hideout
by Watt Key
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - When 12-year-old Sam discovers a boy living on his own in the Mississippi marshlands, he must decide how far he's willing to go to help him.
by Watt Key
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - When 12-year-old Sam discovers a boy living on his own in the Mississippi marshlands, he must decide how far he's willing to go to help him.
Higher, Steeper, Faster
by Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Meet the brave men and women who took to the skies in flying machines, performing deadly stunts, and expanding the limits of flight. Black-and-white illustrations and photographs. Back matter.
by Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Meet the brave men and women who took to the skies in flying machines, performing deadly stunts, and expanding the limits of flight. Black-and-white illustrations and photographs. Back matter.
How to Make a Wish
by Ashley Herring Blake
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Grace has spent her life taking care of her mother. Can she give herself permission to have her own needs come first?
by Ashley Herring Blake
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Grace has spent her life taking care of her mother. Can she give herself permission to have her own needs come first?
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
by Maurene Goo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Nerdy high school senior Desi Lee, who has never had a boyfriend, apes the antics of Korean operas to attract the boy she likes.
by Maurene Goo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Nerdy high school senior Desi Lee, who has never had a boyfriend, apes the antics of Korean operas to attract the boy she likes.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
by Dusti Bowling
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC Born without arms, 13-year-old Aven can do just about anything. But will she be able to cope at a new school where everyone thinks she's a freak?
by Dusti Bowling
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC Born without arms, 13-year-old Aven can do just about anything. But will she be able to cope at a new school where everyone thinks she's a freak?
In the Shadow of the Sun
by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
South Korean adoptee Mia must escape from North Korea with her American brother when their father is arrested. Includes factual information about N. Korea.
by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
South Korean adoptee Mia must escape from North Korea with her American brother when their father is arrested. Includes factual information about N. Korea.
Isaac the Alchemist
by Mary Losure
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The life and important scientific and mathematical discoveries of Newton are investigated, as well as his interest in magic. Archival drawings, notes, bibliography.
by Mary Losure
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The life and important scientific and mathematical discoveries of Newton are investigated, as well as his interest in magic. Archival drawings, notes, bibliography.
It All Comes Down to This
by Karen English
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Navigating racial discrimination in a recently integrated middle class suburban Los Angeles neighborhood in 1965 is one of the several pressures in twelve-year-old Sophia's life.
by Karen English
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Navigating racial discrimination in a recently integrated middle class suburban Los Angeles neighborhood in 1965 is one of the several pressures in twelve-year-old Sophia's life.
Kids Like Us
by Hilary Reyl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC Martin, diagnosed with autism, tells his story of mixing with neurotypical students when he accompanies his mother on a film shoot in France.
by Hilary Reyl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC Martin, diagnosed with autism, tells his story of mixing with neurotypical students when he accompanies his mother on a film shoot in France.