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 Beautiful Lie
by Irfan Master
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
On the eve of historical change in his beloved India, can Bilal pull off an elaborate lie so his father can die in peace?
by Irfan Master
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
On the eve of historical change in his beloved India, can Bilal pull off an elaborate lie so his father can die in peace?
Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass
by Russell Freedman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
These two Civil War luminaries came to see the other's point of view and helped reunite the nation. Notes, citations, bibliography.
by Russell Freedman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
These two Civil War luminaries came to see the other's point of view and helped reunite the nation. Notes, citations, bibliography.
A Confusion of Princes
by Garth Nix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Life as a Prince lacks the glamour Khemri had imagined. Moreover, there are ten million Princes striving to become Emperor. Intergalactic adventure.
by Garth Nix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Life as a Prince lacks the glamour Khemri had imagined. Moreover, there are ten million Princes striving to become Emperor. Intergalactic adventure.
A Different Mirror
by Ronald Takaki
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In the face of oppression and exploitation immigrant groups to America have struggled, but have also found strength in solidarity and community.
by Ronald Takaki
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In the face of oppression and exploitation immigrant groups to America have struggled, but have also found strength in solidarity and community.
A Game for Swallows
by Zeina Abirached
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Shells and snipers make the the streets of Lebanon perilous, but neighbors create a caring community for Zeina and her brother. Compelling black-and-white graphic novel.
by Zeina Abirached
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Shells and snipers make the the streets of Lebanon perilous, but neighbors create a caring community for Zeina and her brother. Compelling black-and-white graphic novel.
Anyway
by Arthur Salm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Max is tired of being just an ordinary always-good kid. At a camp where no one knows him, he tries on a new persona--with some surprising results.
by Arthur Salm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Max is tired of being just an ordinary always-good kid. At a camp where no one knows him, he tries on a new persona--with some surprising results.
Beneath a Meth Moon
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Hurricane Katrina has taken Laurel's mother and grandmother. Now her methadone habit is taking her away from her father and loving younger brother.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Hurricane Katrina has taken Laurel's mother and grandmother. Now her methadone habit is taking her away from her father and loving younger brother.
Beyond Courage
by Doreen Rappaport
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
This account recalls both famous and lesser-known Jewish fighters who struggled for their people's survival during World War II. A most important work supported with photographs, citations, bibliography, and maps. A must for every library.
by Doreen Rappaport
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
This account recalls both famous and lesser-known Jewish fighters who struggled for their people's survival during World War II. A most important work supported with photographs, citations, bibliography, and maps. A must for every library.
Black Gold
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Learn about the history, development, and uses of oil, and its influence on world affairs. Bibliography, notes, glossary, and archival photographs.
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Learn about the history, development, and uses of oil, and its influence on world affairs. Bibliography, notes, glossary, and archival photographs.
Black & White
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The life and times of these historical figures that led the segregation battles in Birmingham, Alabama.
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The life and times of these historical figures that led the segregation battles in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bomb
by Steve Sheinkin, photographs
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
During World War II, America began creating the atomic bomb in great secrecy, and spies stole the information. Fascinating details and archival photographs.
by Steve Sheinkin, photographs
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
During World War II, America began creating the atomic bomb in great secrecy, and spies stole the information. Fascinating details and archival photographs.
Breathing Room
by Marsha Hayles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When adolescent girls with tuberculosis are sent away to a sanatorium in the 1940s, friendships grow in the face of suffering and dying.
by Marsha Hayles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When adolescent girls with tuberculosis are sent away to a sanatorium in the 1940s, friendships grow in the face of suffering and dying.
Choke
by Diana Lopez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Eighth-grader Windy's longing to be part of the popular “in crowd” leads her to unwilling participation in the choking game, with tragic consequences.
by Diana Lopez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Eighth-grader Windy's longing to be part of the popular “in crowd” leads her to unwilling participation in the choking game, with tragic consequences.
Colin Fischer
by Ashley Edward Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Colin has Asperger's Disorder and lacks social skills, but his great investigative talent leads him to defend the school bully as a matter of justice.
by Ashley Edward Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Colin has Asperger's Disorder and lacks social skills, but his great investigative talent leads him to defend the school bully as a matter of justice.
Crewel
by Gennifer Albin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Gifted with the unusual ability to embroider the fabric of life, sixteen-year-old Adelice is summoned to become a Spinster and discovers a world of corruption and deception.
by Gennifer Albin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Gifted with the unusual ability to embroider the fabric of life, sixteen-year-old Adelice is summoned to become a Spinster and discovers a world of corruption and deception.
Cross My Heart
by Sasha Gould
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Convent-raised Laura becomes involved with Segreta, a secret society of women in sixteenth-century Venice, and uncovers mystery, murder, and other nefarious deeds.
by Sasha Gould
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Convent-raised Laura becomes involved with Segreta, a secret society of women in sixteenth-century Venice, and uncovers mystery, murder, and other nefarious deeds.
Curveball
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
As Pete begins high school, he copes with both the injury that has shattered his hopes of being a baseball star and with his beloved grandfather's dementia.
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
As Pete begins high school, he copes with both the injury that has shattered his hopes of being a baseball star and with his beloved grandfather's dementia.
Darkwater
by Catherine Fisher
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
To regain her family's wealth, sixteen-year-old Sarah bargains with “the devil.” Now her time is up and she must save her friend from the same fate.
by Catherine Fisher
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
To regain her family's wealth, sixteen-year-old Sarah bargains with “the devil.” Now her time is up and she must save her friend from the same fate.
Dead Time
by Anne Cassidy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Rose and her stepbrother work together to solve mysteries, including the strange disappearance of their parents five years before.
by Anne Cassidy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Rose and her stepbrother work together to solve mysteries, including the strange disappearance of their parents five years before.
Dodger
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Dodger's rescue of a beautiful young lady launches him on an adventure in Victorian London that requires the support of Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli.
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Dodger's rescue of a beautiful young lady launches him on an adventure in Victorian London that requires the support of Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli.
Dying to Know You
by Aidan Chambers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
To help him impress his girlfriend, a teenage boy enlists a famous writer and in the process finds himself.
by Aidan Chambers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
To help him impress his girlfriend, a teenage boy enlists a famous writer and in the process finds himself.
Endangered
by Eliot Schrefer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
While rescuing bonobos for her mother's animal sanctuary, Sophie must flee to the jungle to escape rebels and government soldiers fighting during the Civil War in the Congo.
by Eliot Schrefer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
While rescuing bonobos for her mother's animal sanctuary, Sophie must flee to the jungle to escape rebels and government soldiers fighting during the Civil War in the Congo.
Falling Kingdoms
by Morgan Rhodes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When three kingdoms battle for domination, the key to the outcome will be Lucia, who possesses magic long thought to have disappeared.
by Morgan Rhodes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When three kingdoms battle for domination, the key to the outcome will be Lucia, who possesses magic long thought to have disappeared.
Fighting for Dontae
by Mike Castan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Faced with derision from the gang when he is assigned to help a severely disabled boy his age, seventh-grader Javier realizes that working with Dontae is the one thing in his life worth fighting for.
by Mike Castan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Faced with derision from the gang when he is assigned to help a severely disabled boy his age, seventh-grader Javier realizes that working with Dontae is the one thing in his life worth fighting for.
For What It's Worth
by Janet Tashjian
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Against the background of the Vietnam War and the 1970s music scene, fourteen-year-old Quinn grapples with moral decisions concerning draft dodging.
by Janet Tashjian
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Against the background of the Vietnam War and the 1970s music scene, fourteen-year-old Quinn grapples with moral decisions concerning draft dodging.