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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Thick as Thieves (The Queen's Thief series)
by Megan Whalen Turner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Forced to flee when his master is poisoned, Kamet, a highly regarded slave and secretary, joins a soldier from another kingdom on a dangerous journey. Maps.
by Megan Whalen Turner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Forced to flee when his master is poisoned, Kamet, a highly regarded slave and secretary, joins a soldier from another kingdom on a dangerous journey. Maps.
Things that Surprise You
by Jennifer Maschari
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Emily's comfortable, suburban world is suddenly less safe when she is faced with her parents' divorce, her sister's anorexia, her best friend's desertion, and beginning middle school.
by Jennifer Maschari
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Emily's comfortable, suburban world is suddenly less safe when she is faced with her parents' divorce, her sister's anorexia, her best friend's desertion, and beginning middle school.
This Is Just a Test
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
As a bar mitzvah approaches, grandmothers struggle for dominance and friendships are tested. A love interest appears, and David Da-Wei Horowitz is digging a fall-out shelter in case of nuclear war.
by Madelyn Rosenberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
As a bar mitzvah approaches, grandmothers struggle for dominance and friendships are tested. A love interest appears, and David Da-Wei Horowitz is digging a fall-out shelter in case of nuclear war.
Trashing the Planet
by Stuart A. Kallen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
This clearly written and well-documented account offers a global view of human-generated garbage, from discarded food to space waste. Includes color photographs and extensive back matter.
by Stuart A. Kallen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
This clearly written and well-documented account offers a global view of human-generated garbage, from discarded food to space waste. Includes color photographs and extensive back matter.
Twelve Days in May
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A diverse group of activists journey on buses from Washington, DC to New Orleans to challenge Southern adherence to Jim Crow segregation. Archival photographs. Extensive back matter.
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A diverse group of activists journey on buses from Washington, DC to New Orleans to challenge Southern adherence to Jim Crow segregation. Archival photographs. Extensive back matter.
Undefeated
by Steve Sheinkin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Jim Thorpe and his teammates changed football forever, despite the cruelty of their school's attempts to force Native Americans to behave white. Archival photographs. Footnotes.
by Steve Sheinkin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Jim Thorpe and his teammates changed football forever, despite the cruelty of their school's attempts to force Native Americans to behave white. Archival photographs. Footnotes.
Vanished! (Framed! series)
by James Ponti
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Middle-schoolers Florian and Margaret, members of an FBI Special Projects Team, are called in to find out who is pranking an elite school but then are confronted with a much more serious case.
by James Ponti
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Middle-schoolers Florian and Margaret, members of an FBI Special Projects Team, are called in to find out who is pranking an elite school but then are confronted with a much more serious case.
Victoria: Portrait of a Queen
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A thorough look at the long reign of Queen Victoria, highlighting her life, loves, and losses. Illustrations and archival photographs. Extensive back matter.
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A thorough look at the long reign of Queen Victoria, highlighting her life, loves, and losses. Illustrations and archival photographs. Extensive back matter.
Virginia Hamilton
by Julie K. Rubini
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The amazing life of the noted children's book author is told with reference to her books and awards. Glossary, notes, bibliography. Photographs.
by Julie K. Rubini
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
The amazing life of the noted children's book author is told with reference to her books and awards. Glossary, notes, bibliography. Photographs.
Voyager's Greatest Hits
by Alexandra Siy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
1n 1977, two unmanned probes carried music from our world into space, and they continue to send back fascinating information and photos. Full-color photos and clear back matter.
by Alexandra Siy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
1n 1977, two unmanned probes carried music from our world into space, and they continue to send back fascinating information and photos. Full-color photos and clear back matter.
Whale Quest
by Karen Romano Young
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Learn all about whales - the different types, habitats, and why they are endangered. Photographs, glossary, notes, bibliography.
by Karen Romano Young
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Learn all about whales - the different types, habitats, and why they are endangered. Photographs, glossary, notes, bibliography.
What Goes Up
by Katie Kennedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Winners of contest to be trainees for a mission to space, three resourceful teenagers travel to an alien world to return lethal microbes. But can they get back to earth?
by Katie Kennedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Winners of contest to be trainees for a mission to space, three resourceful teenagers travel to an alien world to return lethal microbes. But can they get back to earth?
When I Was a Turkey
by Joe Hutto
Illustrator: Joe Hutto
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC When naturalist Joe Hutto receives wild turkey eggs, he facilitates hatching them and begins a two-year experience of nurturing, observing, bonding, and communicating with them. Pencil drawings and photographs.
by Joe Hutto
Illustrator: Joe Hutto
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC When naturalist Joe Hutto receives wild turkey eggs, he facilitates hatching them and begins a two-year experience of nurturing, observing, bonding, and communicating with them. Pencil drawings and photographs.
Whichwood
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In this companion to Furthermore, Alice and Oliver arrive to help Leylee, a mordeshoor, caretaker of the dead, but none of them know exactly how to do that.
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
In this companion to Furthermore, Alice and Oliver arrive to help Leylee, a mordeshoor, caretaker of the dead, but none of them know exactly how to do that.
Who's that Girl
by Blair Thornburgh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Her first kiss - by a rock star she has had a crush on - lands Nattie in the hospital. It could be that he's not Mr. Right.
by Blair Thornburgh
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Her first kiss - by a rock star she has had a crush on - lands Nattie in the hospital. It could be that he's not Mr. Right.
Wonderful Feels Like This
by Sara Lövestam
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Bullied at her Swedish school, biracial Steffi finds respite in the company of a jazz musician in a retirement home. His life unfolds as does hers.
by Sara Lövestam
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Bullied at her Swedish school, biracial Steffi finds respite in the company of a jazz musician in a retirement home. His life unfolds as does hers.
Words on Bathroom Walls
by Julia Walton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Adam is schizophrenic, dealing with hallucinations. Presently on a new drug trial, he falls in love.
by Julia Walton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Adam is schizophrenic, dealing with hallucinations. Presently on a new drug trial, he falls in love.
Writing Radar
written and illustrated by Jack Gantos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - Gantos uses his own over-the-top childhood journals, stories, and memories to advise today's young writers. Humorous line drawings.
written and illustrated by Jack Gantos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
ARC - Gantos uses his own over-the-top childhood journals, stories, and memories to advise today's young writers. Humorous line drawings.
York (The Shadow Cipher series)
by Laura Ruby
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When their building is sold, twins Tess and Theo and their friend Jaime attempt to solve a puzzle that promises to save their home.
by Laura Ruby
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
When their building is sold, twins Tess and Theo and their friend Jaime attempt to solve a puzzle that promises to save their home.
You May Already Be a Winner
by Ann Dee Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Twelve-year-old Olivia battles the harsh realities of an absentee father, depressed mother, and responsibility for her five-year-old sister by entering sweepstakes and contests.
by Ann Dee Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
Twelve-year-old Olivia battles the harsh realities of an absentee father, depressed mother, and responsibility for her five-year-old sister by entering sweepstakes and contests.
Yvain
by M. T. Anderson
Illustrator: Andrea Offermann
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A knight of King Arthur's court sets out on a dangerous quest for adventure and glory. Brilliantly written and illustrated in colorful energetic panels.
by M. T. Anderson
Illustrator: Andrea Offermann
Ages: 12+
Published: 2017
A knight of King Arthur's court sets out on a dangerous quest for adventure and glory. Brilliantly written and illustrated in colorful energetic panels.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Eleven-year-old Perry has grown up happily in the prison where his mother is serving time. What will life on the outside be like when he is forced into foster care?
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Eleven-year-old Perry has grown up happily in the prison where his mother is serving time. What will life on the outside be like when he is forced into foster care?
American Ace
by Marilyn Nelson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
When Connor, 16, discovers his biological grandfather was a Tuskegee Airman in World War II, he and his family must rethink who they are. A novel in verse.
by Marilyn Nelson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
When Connor, 16, discovers his biological grandfather was a Tuskegee Airman in World War II, he and his family must rethink who they are. A novel in verse.
A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire series)
by Jessica Cluess
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Sixteen-year-old Henrietta, training as the first female sorcerer, confronts female stereotypes in Victorian England.
by Jessica Cluess
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Sixteen-year-old Henrietta, training as the first female sorcerer, confronts female stereotypes in Victorian England.
Ashes (The Seeds of America Trilogy)
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Runaway slaves. Isabel and Curzon search for Isabel's younger sister, and dream of freedom as they find themselves engulfed in the war between the Patriots and the British.
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Runaway slaves. Isabel and Curzon search for Isabel's younger sister, and dream of freedom as they find themselves engulfed in the war between the Patriots and the British.