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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Spirit Hunters
by Ellen Oh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When Harper's younger brother Michael begins to act strangely, she discovers an unusual ability within herself to help him.
by Ellen Oh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When Harper's younger brother Michael begins to act strangely, she discovers an unusual ability within herself to help him.
Stone Mirrors
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
As the Civil War rages, a Black-Ojibwe orphan with artistic potential leaves Oberlin, works and studies in Boston, and finally achieves recognition in Rome. Told in free verse.
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
As the Civil War rages, a Black-Ojibwe orphan with artistic potential leaves Oberlin, works and studies in Boston, and finally achieves recognition in Rome. Told in free verse.
Stormy Seas
by Mary Beth Leatherdale
Illustrator: Eleanor Shakespeare
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
From pre-World War II Europe to North Africa today, five young people must flee their countries and find refuge far from home. Collage illustrations with photographs.
by Mary Beth Leatherdale
Illustrator: Eleanor Shakespeare
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
From pre-World War II Europe to North Africa today, five young people must flee their countries and find refuge far from home. Collage illustrations with photographs.
Subject to Change
by Karen Nesbitt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Declan, 15, struggles to make sense of his older brother's delinquency, his father's sexuality, and his new feelings for his tutor, “Miss Perfect.”
by Karen Nesbitt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Declan, 15, struggles to make sense of his older brother's delinquency, his father's sexuality, and his new feelings for his tutor, “Miss Perfect.”
Survivors Club
by Michael Bornstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The author describes his early childhood in Poland during World War II, his survival in Auschwitz, and the life that followed. Includes photographs, glossary, and back matter.
by Michael Bornstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The author describes his early childhood in Poland during World War II, his survival in Auschwitz, and the life that followed. Includes photographs, glossary, and back matter.
The Book of Chocolate
by H.P. Newquist
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Discover the fascinating 500-year-old history of chocolate, including its growth, preparation, varieties of uses, and products. Wonderful archival photos, graphs, and maps. Extensive back matter.
by H.P. Newquist
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Discover the fascinating 500-year-old history of chocolate, including its growth, preparation, varieties of uses, and products. Wonderful archival photos, graphs, and maps. Extensive back matter.
The Disappearances
by Emily Bain Murphy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Aila comes to Sterling, a town shrouded in mystery, after her mother's death. If she discovers the cause, she will clear her mother's name.
by Emily Bain Murphy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Aila comes to Sterling, a town shrouded in mystery, after her mother's death. If she discovers the cause, she will clear her mother's name.
The End of the Wild
by Nicole Helget
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Fern learns the need for compromise when fracking for gas threatens her beautiful woodlands but offers jobs to the poverty-stricken community.
by Nicole Helget
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Fern learns the need for compromise when fracking for gas threatens her beautiful woodlands but offers jobs to the poverty-stricken community.
The Ethan I Was Before
by Ali Standish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After a trauma, Ethan moves with his family to Georgia where he hopes to recover from his painful memories. He succeeds in surprising ways.
by Ali Standish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After a trauma, Ethan moves with his family to Georgia where he hopes to recover from his painful memories. He succeeds in surprising ways.
The Exact Location of Home
by Kate Messner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Losing both his home and communication with his dad disrupts Zig's comfortable life. Can geocoaching help him find his dad and solve his problems?
by Kate Messner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Losing both his home and communication with his dad disrupts Zig's comfortable life. Can geocoaching help him find his dad and solve his problems?
The Girl in Between
by Sarah Carroll
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In spare, heart-wrenching prose, a homeless girl narrates her peripatetic life with her addicted mother and the imaginary world she creates to help her cope.
by Sarah Carroll
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In spare, heart-wrenching prose, a homeless girl narrates her peripatetic life with her addicted mother and the imaginary world she creates to help her cope.
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones
by Katherine Webber
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After her adored brother's devastating car accident, Wing Jones, half Chinese, half black, starts running and learns to value herself.
by Katherine Webber
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After her adored brother's devastating car accident, Wing Jones, half Chinese, half black, starts running and learns to value herself.
The Lake Effect
by Erin McCahan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After a summer of working at a beach house for elderly Mrs. B., Briggs, 18, realizes that both his values and his goals have changed.
by Erin McCahan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
After a summer of working at a beach house for elderly Mrs. B., Briggs, 18, realizes that both his values and his goals have changed.
The Lines We Cross
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Teenagers Mina, an Afghani-Australian refugee, and Michael, a white Australia-born citizen, confront and explore the prejudices and challenges Mina's community faces.
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Teenagers Mina, an Afghani-Australian refugee, and Michael, a white Australia-born citizen, confront and explore the prejudices and challenges Mina's community faces.
The List
by Patricia Forde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC What happens when words are banned and thought curtailed? A young girl finds the courage and bravery she needs to fight for a better world.
by Patricia Forde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC What happens when words are banned and thought curtailed? A young girl finds the courage and bravery she needs to fight for a better world.
The March Against Fear
by Ann Bausum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - James Meridith's life, the march across Mississippi, and the conflict between Stokely Carmichael's “Black Power” movement and Martin Luther King Jr.'s non-violence are evoked with great detail and archival photographs. (Check final copy for photo captions.)
by Ann Bausum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - James Meridith's life, the march across Mississippi, and the conflict between Stokely Carmichael's “Black Power” movement and Martin Luther King Jr.'s non-violence are evoked with great detail and archival photographs. (Check final copy for photo captions.)
The Murderer's Ape
written and illustrated by Jakob Wegelius
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A gorilla who understands human speech travels the world one step ahead of evildoers who framed her shipmate for murder and who want her dead. Black-and-white portraits and spot illustrations. Color map.
written and illustrated by Jakob Wegelius
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A gorilla who understands human speech travels the world one step ahead of evildoers who framed her shipmate for murder and who want her dead. Black-and-white portraits and spot illustrations. Color map.
The One Memory of Flora Banks
by Emily Barr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A 17-year-old with amnesia travels alone to the Arctic in search of a boy whose kiss she remembers.
by Emily Barr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A 17-year-old with amnesia travels alone to the Arctic in search of a boy whose kiss she remembers.
The Red Bandanna
by Tom Rinaldi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Welles Crowther, a trader on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center, died helping people to safety on 9/11. Archival photos.
by Tom Rinaldi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Welles Crowther, a trader on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center, died helping people to safety on 9/11. Archival photos.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet
by David Barclay Moore
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Mourning his older brother's gang-related shooting, Wallace “Lolly”Rachpaul, 12, finds solace, escape, and companionship when he begins building an enormous Lego fantasy world.
by David Barclay Moore
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Mourning his older brother's gang-related shooting, Wallace “Lolly”Rachpaul, 12, finds solace, escape, and companionship when he begins building an enormous Lego fantasy world.
The Summer of Owen Todd
by Tony Abbott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Owen and Sean, 11, are looking forward to a great summer on Cape Cod until Sean's baby-sitter, Paul, and Paul's friend sexually abuse Sean.
by Tony Abbott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Owen and Sean, 11, are looking forward to a great summer on Cape Cod until Sean's baby-sitter, Paul, and Paul's friend sexually abuse Sean.
The Unlikelies
by Carrie Firestone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
One not-so-boring summer, Sadie and four friends band together to right wrongs and act as Good Samaritans.
by Carrie Firestone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
One not-so-boring summer, Sadie and four friends band together to right wrongs and act as Good Samaritans.
The Victoria in My Head
by Janelle Milanes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Can Victoria Cruz, a shy teenager with overprotective Cuban parents, turn her dream of being a singer in a rock band into reality?
by Janelle Milanes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Can Victoria Cruz, a shy teenager with overprotective Cuban parents, turn her dream of being a singer in a rock band into reality?
The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid
by Colin Meloy
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Charlie, an American diplomat's son, joins a gang of international pickpockets in 1961 Marseille. The stakes are much higher than he realized. Whimsical pencil illustrations.
by Colin Meloy
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Charlie, an American diplomat's son, joins a gang of international pickpockets in 1961 Marseille. The stakes are much higher than he realized. Whimsical pencil illustrations.
The Whydah
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In 1984, marine archeologists discovered the pirate ship (and former slave ship) near Cape Cod where it sank in 1717. Maps, line drawings and archival photos illustrate the tale.
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In 1984, marine archeologists discovered the pirate ship (and former slave ship) near Cape Cod where it sank in 1717. Maps, line drawings and archival photos illustrate the tale.