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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No Crystal Stair
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The life of the author's great-uncle, a bookseller in Harlem whose store became a cultural center for iconic figures such as Langston Hughes and Malcolm X, is chronicled with archival photographs and pen and ink illustrations.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The life of the author's great-uncle, a bookseller in Harlem whose store became a cultural center for iconic figures such as Langston Hughes and Malcolm X, is chronicled with archival photographs and pen and ink illustrations.
No-Name Baby
by Nancy Bo Flood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
After World War I ends, fourteen-year-old Sophie helps on her family's farm and learns surprising family secrets.
by Nancy Bo Flood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
After World War I ends, fourteen-year-old Sophie helps on her family's farm and learns surprising family secrets.
Now
by Morris Gleitzman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Named after her beloved grandfather's best childhood friend and companion during the Holocaust, Zelda struggles to live up to her memory.
by Morris Gleitzman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Named after her beloved grandfather's best childhood friend and companion during the Holocaust, Zelda struggles to live up to her memory.
October Mourning
by Lesléa Newman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A variety of poetic forms, all poignant and stark, provide different views concerning the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998.
by Lesléa Newman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A variety of poetic forms, all poignant and stark, provide different views concerning the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998.
On the Day I Died
by Candace Fleming
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In these deliciously creepy tales, nine teenagers tell the stories of their deaths so that they can rest peacefully in the afterlife.
by Candace Fleming
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In these deliciously creepy tales, nine teenagers tell the stories of their deaths so that they can rest peacefully in the afterlife.
Origin
by Jessic Khoury
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Raised in a secret lab in the Amazon, Pia is immortal, and scientists race to create her perfect mate. When she meets a boy in the jungle, everything changes.
by Jessic Khoury
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Raised in a secret lab in the Amazon, Pia is immortal, and scientists race to create her perfect mate. When she meets a boy in the jungle, everything changes.
Outlaw
by Stephen Davis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Teenage Jake and his sister are kidnapped in Africa. Through their ordeal, they are befriended by, and learn to trust, outlaw, Chameleon, who is really a friend of the poor.
by Stephen Davis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Teenage Jake and his sister are kidnapped in Africa. Through their ordeal, they are befriended by, and learn to trust, outlaw, Chameleon, who is really a friend of the poor.
Peaceweaver
by Rebecca Barnhouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The King sends his sixteen-year-old niece on a journey to make peace with a nearby kingdom. Warring tribes, monsters and dragons are the least of Hild's perils.
by Rebecca Barnhouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
The King sends his sixteen-year-old niece on a journey to make peace with a nearby kingdom. Warring tribes, monsters and dragons are the least of Hild's perils.
Pink Smog
by Francesca Lia Block
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Louise prefers to be called Weetzie, her father's nickname for her, but she has been lost since her father left her and her mother.
by Francesca Lia Block
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Louise prefers to be called Weetzie, her father's nickname for her, but she has been lost since her father left her and her mother.
Rachel's Secret
by Shelly Sanders
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Kishinev, in 1903, the murder of a teen-aged boy results in a pogrom. Rachel, a Jewish friend, knows the truth but is afraid to tell.
by Shelly Sanders
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Kishinev, in 1903, the murder of a teen-aged boy results in a pogrom. Rachel, a Jewish friend, knows the truth but is afraid to tell.
Redwing
by Holly Bennett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Rowan, his family's only survivor of the plague, and Samik, fleeing a warlord, form a friendship that uncovers their true abilities and affections.
by Holly Bennett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Rowan, his family's only survivor of the plague, and Samik, fleeing a warlord, form a friendship that uncovers their true abilities and affections.
Rightfully Ours
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Who were the suffragettes and how did they get the vote for women? Find out in this thorough and engaging account. Activities and resources.
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Who were the suffragettes and how did they get the vote for women? Find out in this thorough and engaging account. Activities and resources.
Ripper
by Stefan Petrucha
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In New York, when Teddy Roosevelt was Police Commissioner, a teenager raised in an orphanage seeks his father, who he discovers is a notorious serial killer.
by Stefan Petrucha
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In New York, when Teddy Roosevelt was Police Commissioner, a teenager raised in an orphanage seeks his father, who he discovers is a notorious serial killer.
Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood St.
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Inspired by the Robin Hood story and given a charm bracelet with magic powers, Robbie and her friends fight injustice in their Brooklyn, New York neighborhood.
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Inspired by the Robin Hood story and given a charm bracelet with magic powers, Robbie and her friends fight injustice in their Brooklyn, New York neighborhood.
Safekeeping
by Karen Hesse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Dependent solely on her own resources to survive, sixteen-year-old Radley flees her Vermont home in fear of a new fascist U.S. Government. Haunting photographs of the fictional route to Canada taken by the author.
by Karen Hesse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
ARC Dependent solely on her own resources to survive, sixteen-year-old Radley flees her Vermont home in fear of a new fascist U.S. Government. Haunting photographs of the fictional route to Canada taken by the author.
Scarlet
by A. C. Gaughen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Romance, surprise and bloodthirsty adventure in this new take on the Robin Hood legend with a girl in the outlaw band protecting the villagers from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
by A. C. Gaughen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Romance, surprise and bloodthirsty adventure in this new take on the Robin Hood legend with a girl in the outlaw band protecting the villagers from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Secret Letters
by Leah Scheier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Dora defies Victorian social expectations as she uses her supersleuth talents in Sherlock Holmes style to discover her cousin's blackmailer.
by Leah Scheier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Dora defies Victorian social expectations as she uses her supersleuth talents in Sherlock Holmes style to discover her cousin's blackmailer.
See You at Harry's
by Jo Knowles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When an unexpected tragedy turns twelve-year-old Fern's world upside down, she and her family struggle to manage their feelings of love and loss.
by Jo Knowles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When an unexpected tragedy turns twelve-year-old Fern's world upside down, she and her family struggle to manage their feelings of love and loss.
Seraphina
by Rachel Hartman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Seraphina, who alone can save her world by renewing the treaty between humans and dragons, finds she loves both.
by Rachel Hartman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Seraphina, who alone can save her world by renewing the treaty between humans and dragons, finds she loves both.
Shadow
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When he learns that his friend Aram is about to be deported back to Afghanistan, Matt asks his grandfather to help. After hearing Aram's harrowing story, His grndfather tries, but is it too late?
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When he learns that his friend Aram is about to be deported back to Afghanistan, Matt asks his grandfather to help. After hearing Aram's harrowing story, His grndfather tries, but is it too late?
Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Plucked from obscurity to train as a member of the magical elite, Alina finds an inner power. Will it be enough to save herself, her best friend, and her war-torn country?
by Leigh Bardugo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Plucked from obscurity to train as a member of the magical elite, Alina finds an inner power. Will it be enough to save herself, her best friend, and her war-torn country?
Shadow on the Mountain
by Margi Preus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A fourteen-year-old turns spy when Nazi Germany invades Norway. Inspired by real events.
by Margi Preus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A fourteen-year-old turns spy when Nazi Germany invades Norway. Inspired by real events.
Skinny
by Donna Cooner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Ever Davies weighs 302 pounds. Helped by gastric bypass surgery, she still must confront Skinny, her inner demon of self-doubt.
by Donna Cooner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Ever Davies weighs 302 pounds. Helped by gastric bypass surgery, she still must confront Skinny, her inner demon of self-doubt.
Slide
by Jill Hathaway
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Teenager Vee's ability to “slide” into the minds of others enables her to solve the mystery of the deaths of her friends while resolving her own family's conflicts.
by Jill Hathaway
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Teenager Vee's ability to “slide” into the minds of others enables her to solve the mystery of the deaths of her friends while resolving her own family's conflicts.
Son
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In this beautiful conclusion to the Giver series, Claire overcomes great obstacles to search for her son.
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In this beautiful conclusion to the Giver series, Claire overcomes great obstacles to search for her son.