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
Pennyroyal Academy
by M. A. Larson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Evie joins a group of hopeful princesses who are being trained to combat evil witches. Friendships, enemies, dragons, magic, and betrayal abound in this complex adventure.
by M. A. Larson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Evie joins a group of hopeful princesses who are being trained to combat evil witches. Friendships, enemies, dragons, magic, and betrayal abound in this complex adventure.
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
by Rick Riordan
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Meet the Olympians--often wiley and violent, sometimes generous, and always fascinating--as they punish and reward mortals, battle hideous monsters, and grapple for power. Dramatic, richly textured illustrations.
by Rick Riordan
Illustrator: John Rocco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Meet the Olympians--often wiley and violent, sometimes generous, and always fascinating--as they punish and reward mortals, battle hideous monsters, and grapple for power. Dramatic, richly textured illustrations.
Plus One
by Elizabeth Fama
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Forbidden to venture out in the daylight, Sol risks everything to help her dying grandfather. She doesn't expect to fall in love with an unlikely ally.
by Elizabeth Fama
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Forbidden to venture out in the daylight, Sol risks everything to help her dying grandfather. She doesn't expect to fall in love with an unlikely ally.
Red Madness
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
The fascinating history of how doctors discovered the cause of pellagra, a horrible disease caused by malnutrition. Archival photos and illustrations.
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
The fascinating history of how doctors discovered the cause of pellagra, a horrible disease caused by malnutrition. Archival photos and illustrations.
Remaking the John
by Francesca Davis DiPiazza
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
From ancient times to the present challenges of poor sanitation and of space travel, this book chronicles the history of the toilet. Photographs, source notes, and other backmatter.
by Francesca Davis DiPiazza
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
From ancient times to the present challenges of poor sanitation and of space travel, this book chronicles the history of the toilet. Photographs, source notes, and other backmatter.
Rory's Promise
by Michaela MacColl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Rory promised her little sister, Violet, that they would never be parted. When Violet is placed on a train headed west for adoption, can Rory keep her promise?
by Michaela MacColl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Rory promised her little sister, Violet, that they would never be parted. When Violet is placed on a train headed west for adoption, can Rory keep her promise?
Schools of Hope
by Norman H. Finkelstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
To improve the under-resourced education of black children in the South in the early 1900s, Julius Rosenwald partnered with communities and helped build nearly 5,000 new schools. Archival photographs.
by Norman H. Finkelstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
To improve the under-resourced education of black children in the South in the early 1900s, Julius Rosenwald partnered with communities and helped build nearly 5,000 new schools. Archival photographs.
Searching for Sarah Rector
by Tonya Bolden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
After oil is discovered on her government issued land allotment, eleven-year-old Sarah Rector suddenly disappears. Photographs, maps, and primary sources.
by Tonya Bolden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
After oil is discovered on her government issued land allotment, eleven-year-old Sarah Rector suddenly disappears. Photographs, maps, and primary sources.
Searching for Sky
by Jillian Cantor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Two teenagers who survive fourteen years on a small isolated Pacific island are rescued and then must cope with “civilized” California.
by Jillian Cantor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Two teenagers who survive fourteen years on a small isolated Pacific island are rescued and then must cope with “civilized” California.
Silver
by Chris Wooding
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Mortingham Boarding Academy is difficult enough for Paul and his classmates, but when strange, aggressive silver creatures begin to take over, survival becomes the final exam.
by Chris Wooding
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Mortingham Boarding Academy is difficult enough for Paul and his classmates, but when strange, aggressive silver creatures begin to take over, survival becomes the final exam.
Silver People
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
ARC Three workers on the Panama Canal tell of racism and horrific working conditions while animals and trees vocalize about their environment. Free verse.
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
ARC Three workers on the Panama Canal tell of racism and horrific working conditions while animals and trees vocalize about their environment. Free verse.
Skink
by Carl Hiaasen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A one-eyed wandering vigilante, presumed dead, joins forces with Richard to search for his missing cousin.
by Carl Hiaasen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A one-eyed wandering vigilante, presumed dead, joins forces with Richard to search for his missing cousin.
Sniffer Dogs
by Nancy F. Castaldo, photos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Because of their extraordinary sense of smell, dogs can be trained to provide many important services, from “search and rescue” to finding dangerous contraband and allergens. Color photographs and extensive back matter.
by Nancy F. Castaldo, photos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Because of their extraordinary sense of smell, dogs can be trained to provide many important services, from “search and rescue” to finding dangerous contraband and allergens. Color photographs and extensive back matter.
Sparkers
by Eleanor Glewwe
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
When fourteen-year-old Marah uncovers a government plot to eliminate a rival class by spreading disease, she races to find a cure.
by Eleanor Glewwe
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
When fourteen-year-old Marah uncovers a government plot to eliminate a rival class by spreading disease, she races to find a cure.
Stars of the Savanna
by Melanie R. Martel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
During a drought, Kiko, a handicapped Quechua, is put out by his impoverished family. His travels with a Spanish girl reveal the Peru of the late 17th century.
by Melanie R. Martel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
During a drought, Kiko, a handicapped Quechua, is put out by his impoverished family. His travels with a Spanish girl reveal the Peru of the late 17th century.
Surrounded by Sharks
by Michael Northrop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
On vacation with his family, Davey wakes up early and goes for a swim, ignoring a “No Swimming” sign, which has dangerous consequences.
by Michael Northrop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
On vacation with his family, Davey wakes up early and goes for a swim, ignoring a “No Swimming” sign, which has dangerous consequences.
Swim that Rock
by John Rocco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Fourteen-year-old Jake will do just about anything to save the family diner after his father goes missing in a boat accident. Mysteries and relationships emerge.
by John Rocco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Fourteen-year-old Jake will do just about anything to save the family diner after his father goes missing in a boat accident. Mysteries and relationships emerge.
Taking Flight
by Michaela De Prince
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A magazine cover of a ballerina ignites a passion in war-orphaned Michaela. She overcomes racial barriers and concepts of conventional beauty to become a rising star in ballet.
by Michaela De Prince
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A magazine cover of a ballerina ignites a passion in war-orphaned Michaela. She overcomes racial barriers and concepts of conventional beauty to become a rising star in ballet.
The Art of Secrets
by James Klise
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
ARC When arson destroys the apartment of high school sophomore Saba Khan, an auction to aid her family launches a mystery involving loyalty, prejudice, and betrayal.
by James Klise
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
ARC When arson destroys the apartment of high school sophomore Saba Khan, an auction to aid her family launches a mystery involving loyalty, prejudice, and betrayal.
The Cabinet of Curiosities
by Stefan Bachmann
Illustrator: Alexander Jansson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A cabinet of curiosities with eight drawers - each with a theme - contains mysterious, sinister short stories, curated by four authors. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Stefan Bachmann
Illustrator: Alexander Jansson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
A cabinet of curiosities with eight drawers - each with a theme - contains mysterious, sinister short stories, curated by four authors. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Castle Behind Thorns
by Merrie Haskell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Sand and Perrotte, both fourteen-years-old, can mend the sundered castle, but can Perotte forgive those who imprisoned them there?
by Merrie Haskell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Sand and Perrotte, both fourteen-years-old, can mend the sundered castle, but can Perotte forgive those who imprisoned them there?
The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee
by Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Candice, who refuses to be labeled as autistic, takes extreme measures to keep her family from falling apart.
by Barry Jonsberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Candice, who refuses to be labeled as autistic, takes extreme measures to keep her family from falling apart.
The Finisher
by David Baldacci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
When a resident of Wormwood bolts for the dangers of the surrounding Quag, teenager Vega Jane questions the protected nature of her village.
by David Baldacci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
When a resident of Wormwood bolts for the dangers of the surrounding Quag, teenager Vega Jane questions the protected nature of her village.
The Graveyard Book, Volumes 1 and 2
based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: David Lafuente
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
After his family is murdered, a baby crawls into a graveyard where he is raised by ghosts and a vampire who keep him safe. Atmospherically colored illustrations.
based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: David Lafuente
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
After his family is murdered, a baby crawls into a graveyard where he is raised by ghosts and a vampire who keep him safe. Atmospherically colored illustrations.
The Here and Now
by Ann Brashares
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Penna, seventeen, has traveled back from a different time. She falls in love but must deal with the heartbreaking rules of her secret community.
by Ann Brashares
Ages: 12+
Published: 2014
Penna, seventeen, has traveled back from a different time. She falls in love but must deal with the heartbreaking rules of her secret community.