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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A Torch Against the Night
by Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In a sequel to An Ember in the Ashes, Laia and Elias endure prison, attacks, rebellion, and magic to rescue Laia's imprisoned brother.
by Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In a sequel to An Ember in the Ashes, Laia and Elias endure prison, attacks, rebellion, and magic to rescue Laia's imprisoned brother.
Balcony on the Moon
by Ibtisam Barakat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Ibtisam, a young girl growing up in Palestine in the 1970s, dreams of becoming a writer. But how will she succeed amid the political turmoil?
by Ibtisam Barakat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Ibtisam, a young girl growing up in Palestine in the 1970s, dreams of becoming a writer. But how will she succeed amid the political turmoil?
Beetle Boy
by M. G. Leonard
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Aided by stalwart Bertolt and intrepid Virginia and a swarm of exotic beetles, Darkus sets out to find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by M. G. Leonard
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Aided by stalwart Bertolt and intrepid Virginia and a swarm of exotic beetles, Darkus sets out to find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Being Jazz
by Jazz Jennings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Jazz details her journey from preschool onward as she forges her own path after transitioning. Includes interviews with her family, photographs, resources, and organizations for children and adults.
by Jazz Jennings
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Jazz details her journey from preschool onward as she forges her own path after transitioning. Includes interviews with her family, photographs, resources, and organizations for children and adults.
Blood Brother
by Rich Wallace
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The life and death of Jonathan Daniels, a white seminary student murdered in Alabama in 1965, comes alive with extensive photographs, sourced quotes, and bibliography.
by Rich Wallace
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The life and death of Jonathan Daniels, a white seminary student murdered in Alabama in 1965, comes alive with extensive photographs, sourced quotes, and bibliography.
Blood, Bullets, and Bones
by Bridget Heos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Forensic science cases are described from Ancient China to the introduction of DNA. Careful research cited, with glossary, bibliography, and photographs.
by Bridget Heos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Forensic science cases are described from Ancient China to the introduction of DNA. Careful research cited, with glossary, bibliography, and photographs.
Breakfast with Neruda
by Laura Moe
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Michael's mother is a hoarder, he doesn't know his father, and he is living in his car. He meets Shelly, who is also a misfit.
by Laura Moe
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Michael's mother is a hoarder, he doesn't know his father, and he is living in his car. He meets Shelly, who is also a misfit.
Bridge to the Wild
by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
A behind-the-scenes look at the Atlanta Zoo offers much information about pandas, elephants, gorillas, and more. Extraordinary photographs and helpful illustrations. Sources, bibliography, index.
by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
A behind-the-scenes look at the Atlanta Zoo offers much information about pandas, elephants, gorillas, and more. Extraordinary photographs and helpful illustrations. Sources, bibliography, index.
Brown v. Board of Education
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
ARC - Lawyers and psychologists join forces in the legal battle to end school segregation - still an ongoing struggle. Photographs and back matter.
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
ARC - Lawyers and psychologists join forces in the legal battle to end school segregation - still an ongoing struggle. Photographs and back matter.
Bubonic Panic
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
An exhaustive and straightforward account of the threat of the bubonic plague throughout the world for centuries. Includes sources, extensive bibliography, index. Archival photographs.
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
An exhaustive and straightforward account of the threat of the bubonic plague throughout the world for centuries. Includes sources, extensive bibliography, index. Archival photographs.
Child of Spring
by Farhana Zia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In India, a young servant to a rich family struggles with her circumstances as she plays with children even less advantaged than she is.
by Farhana Zia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In India, a young servant to a rich family struggles with her circumstances as she plays with children even less advantaged than she is.
Children of Exile
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
All the foster children living in Fredtown are suddenly returned to the biological parents who, Rosi, 12, discovers are very different from what she expected.
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
All the foster children living in Fredtown are suddenly returned to the biological parents who, Rosi, 12, discovers are very different from what she expected.
Cloud and Wallfish
by Anne Nesbet
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In 1989, Noah's family suddenly moves to East Berlin and assumes a new identity. He befriends a neighbor, and the two uncover secrets in the midst of changing history.
by Anne Nesbet
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
In 1989, Noah's family suddenly moves to East Berlin and assumes a new identity. He befriends a neighbor, and the two uncover secrets in the midst of changing history.
Comics Confidential
compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Popular graphic illustrators answer questions about their childhood and how they work. Each provides a self-portrait and a panel illustrating “the city.” Back matter.
compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Popular graphic illustrators answer questions about their childhood and how they work. Each provides a self-portrait and a panel illustrating “the city.” Back matter.
Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling
written and illustrated by Tony Cliff
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
This second series installment finds Delilah Dirk returning to England with loyal friend Selim in order to clear her name as a traitor. Action-packed color panels.
written and illustrated by Tony Cliff
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
This second series installment finds Delilah Dirk returning to England with loyal friend Selim in order to clear her name as a traitor. Action-packed color panels.
Dollars and Sense
by Elaine Scott
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The history of the function and handling of money by individuals and governments is discussed. Pen-and-ink cartoons. Glossary and bibliography.
by Elaine Scott
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The history of the function and handling of money by individuals and governments is discussed. Pen-and-ink cartoons. Glossary and bibliography.
Dreidels on the Brain
by Joel Ben Izzy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
As he prays for a Chanukah miracle, twelve-year-old Joel in 1971 must deal with being the only Jew in his school and his family issues.
by Joel Ben Izzy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
As he prays for a Chanukah miracle, twelve-year-old Joel in 1971 must deal with being the only Jew in his school and his family issues.
Every Single Second
by Tricia Springstubb
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Nella juggles the challenges of neighborhood racial conflicts, tragedy, and a loving but demanding family. Occasional pen and ink illustrations.
by Tricia Springstubb
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Nella juggles the challenges of neighborhood racial conflicts, tragedy, and a loving but demanding family. Occasional pen and ink illustrations.
Falling Over Sideways
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Claire - dancer, sax player, and 8th grade worrier - faces disaster when her father has a stroke. With humor and love, she survives.
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Claire - dancer, sax player, and 8th grade worrier - faces disaster when her father has a stroke. With humor and love, she survives.
Finding Wonders
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Three girls from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries who defied society's prohibition of women as scientists are honored in free verse biographies. Occasional black-and-white illustrations.
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Three girls from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries who defied society's prohibition of women as scientists are honored in free verse biographies. Occasional black-and-white illustrations.
Florence Nightingale
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
A well-born woman in Victorian England works and fights for improved hospital care for the poor and for soldiers. Photographs, notes, bibliography.
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
A well-born woman in Victorian England works and fights for improved hospital care for the poor and for soldiers. Photographs, notes, bibliography.
Forensics Squad Unleashed
by Monique Polak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Six teens attend a forensics camp in Montreal and learn many skills which they suddenly need to use involving household pets.
by Monique Polak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Six teens attend a forensics camp in Montreal and learn many skills which they suddenly need to use involving household pets.
Forgotten Bones
by Lois Miner Huey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The compelling discovery of a forgotten slave cemetery and the scientific examination of its bones is accompanied by historical and current pictures.
by Lois Miner Huey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
The compelling discovery of a forgotten slave cemetery and the scientific examination of its bones is accompanied by historical and current pictures.
Free Verse
by Sarah Dooley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
When seventh-grader Sasha enters foster care in her West Virginia mining town, poetry helps her reexamine the meaning of family and home.
by Sarah Dooley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
When seventh-grader Sasha enters foster care in her West Virginia mining town, poetry helps her reexamine the meaning of family and home.
Furthermore
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Born colorless in a magical world where color is valued above all else, Alice joins another outcast, Oliver, on a quest to find her missing father.
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2016
Born colorless in a magical world where color is valued above all else, Alice joins another outcast, Oliver, on a quest to find her missing father.