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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Soonchild
by Russell Hoban
Illustrator: Alexis Deacon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When his soonchild tells him she can't hear the world songs that lure babies to be born, Sixteen-Face John must find them. Clever, expressive charcoal and pencil illustrations.
by Russell Hoban
Illustrator: Alexis Deacon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When his soonchild tells him she can't hear the world songs that lure babies to be born, Sixteen-Face John must find them. Clever, expressive charcoal and pencil illustrations.
Spirit's Princess
by Esther Friesner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In ancient Japan, a spirited young girl contrives to follow her life's path to become a shaman, though her father forbids it.
by Esther Friesner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In ancient Japan, a spirited young girl contrives to follow her life's path to become a shaman, though her father forbids it.
Starters
by Lissa Price
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When Callie rents her body to a wealthy senior who longs to be young again, she soon realizes the evil truth behind the rental agency.
by Lissa Price
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When Callie rents her body to a wealthy senior who longs to be young again, she soon realizes the evil truth behind the rental agency.
Stolen Into Slavery
by Judith and Dennis Fradin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup worked to regain his freedom. Archival drawings and photographs.
by Judith and Dennis Fradin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup worked to regain his freedom. Archival drawings and photographs.
Summer of the Wolves
by Polly Carlson-Voiles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Can helping raise an orphaned wolf cub and experiencing wilderness life change the heart of a girl who has suffered too many losses?
by Polly Carlson-Voiles
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Can helping raise an orphaned wolf cub and experiencing wilderness life change the heart of a girl who has suffered too many losses?
Superman versus The Ku Klux Klan
by Rick Bowers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Superman, the Man of Steel, has successfully defeated all kinds of evil-doers. But even with the help of an infiltrator, can he unmask the KKK ?
by Rick Bowers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Superman, the Man of Steel, has successfully defeated all kinds of evil-doers. But even with the help of an infiltrator, can he unmask the KKK ?
Surviving the Angel of Death
by Eva Mozes Kor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twin girls are picked by the Germans to be part of medical experiments during World War II.
by Eva Mozes Kor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twin girls are picked by the Germans to be part of medical experiments during World War II.
Take What You Can Carry
written and illustrated by Kevin C. Pyle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Two distinct stories--one about Japanese American internment, the other about a daredevil teenager--intertwine to comment on the consequences of theft and compassion. Copious cartoon and sepia illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kevin C. Pyle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Two distinct stories--one about Japanese American internment, the other about a daredevil teenager--intertwine to comment on the consequences of theft and compassion. Copious cartoon and sepia illustrations.
The Auslander
by Paul Dowswell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Germany in 1941-1943, when orphaned thirteen-year-old Peter is taken in by a loyal Nazi family, his slowly developing awareness leads him to take life-threatening risks.
by Paul Dowswell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Germany in 1941-1943, when orphaned thirteen-year-old Peter is taken in by a loyal Nazi family, his slowly developing awareness leads him to take life-threatening risks.
The Book of Blood and Shadow
by Robin Wasserman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Brainy Nora embarks on a Da Vinci-code-like adventure in Prague, where she and her friends unravel what may be the key to communicating directly with God.
by Robin Wasserman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Brainy Nora embarks on a Da Vinci-code-like adventure in Prague, where she and her friends unravel what may be the key to communicating directly with God.
The Brontë Sisters
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
We become well acquainted with the short-lived Brontes as girls, sisters, and writers. Illustrated photographs and portraits.
by Catherine Reef
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
We become well acquainted with the short-lived Brontes as girls, sisters, and writers. Illustrated photographs and portraits.
The Dark Unwinding
by Sharon Cameron
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In 1852, seventeen-year-old Katharine is sent by her great aunt to her family's estate to have her uncle declared insane and finds a genius inventor who employs a village of 900 people rescued from London workhouses. A Gothic tale of intrigue and romance.
by Sharon Cameron
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In 1852, seventeen-year-old Katharine is sent by her great aunt to her family's estate to have her uncle declared insane and finds a genius inventor who employs a village of 900 people rescued from London workhouses. A Gothic tale of intrigue and romance.
The Dead of Winter
by Chris Priestley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Victorian England, an orphaned boy is taken to his strange guardian's country estate where ghosts and evil spirits visit.
by Chris Priestley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In Victorian England, an orphaned boy is taken to his strange guardian's country estate where ghosts and evil spirits visit.
The Diviners
by Libba Bray
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Some strange murders are happening in 1920s New York, and teenflapper Evie finds she must use her power as a diviner to help find the killer.
by Libba Bray
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Some strange murders are happening in 1920s New York, and teenflapper Evie finds she must use her power as a diviner to help find the killer.
The Encyclopedia of Me
by Karen Rivers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Thirteen-year-old biracial Tink writes an encyclopedia as she tries to find herself in the midst of her dysfunctional family, a volatile best friend, and the cute boy next door.
by Karen Rivers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Thirteen-year-old biracial Tink writes an encyclopedia as she tries to find herself in the midst of her dysfunctional family, a volatile best friend, and the cute boy next door.
The Exceptionals
by Erin Cashman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A family tradition of special education lands fifteen-year-old Claire in the midst of a battle between good and evil. Will her exceptional ability to read the minds of animals be enough to triumph?
by Erin Cashman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A family tradition of special education lands fifteen-year-old Claire in the midst of a battle between good and evil. Will her exceptional ability to read the minds of animals be enough to triumph?
The False Prince
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Fourteen-year-old Sage is chosen by a mysterious lord who has a plan to prevent a civil war in the kingdom. But is it treason?
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Fourteen-year-old Sage is chosen by a mysterious lord who has a plan to prevent a civil war in the kingdom. But is it treason?
The Gathering Storm
by Robin Bridges
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In 1888 St. Petersburg, Russia, a young necromancer finds herself caught in the middle of a war between good and evil forces.
by Robin Bridges
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
In 1888 St. Petersburg, Russia, a young necromancer finds herself caught in the middle of a war between good and evil forces.
The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind
by Meg Medina
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Burdened by the superstitious hopes and fears of her village in Mexico, a sixteen-year-old casts aside the role assigned her and finds power within herself.
by Meg Medina
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Burdened by the superstitious hopes and fears of her village in Mexico, a sixteen-year-old casts aside the role assigned her and finds power within herself.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There
by Catherynne M. Valente
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old September returns to Fairyland, where everyone's shadows are disappearing. Will she be able to figure a way to get them back?
by Catherynne M. Valente
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old September returns to Fairyland, where everyone's shadows are disappearing. Will she be able to figure a way to get them back?
The Glass Collector
by Anna Perera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A member of the Zabbaleen, fifteen-year-old Aaron subsists by sorting waste in his Cairo slum. He is drawn to glass for its beauty.
by Anna Perera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
A member of the Zabbaleen, fifteen-year-old Aaron subsists by sorting waste in his Cairo slum. He is drawn to glass for its beauty.
The Good Braider
by Terry Farish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
As her family flees from war-torn Sudan, Viola records their journey and new life in the United States. Free verse.
by Terry Farish
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
As her family flees from war-torn Sudan, Viola records their journey and new life in the United States. Free verse.
The Horse Road
by Troon Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Thirteen-year-old Kallisto--whose father is an aristocrat and whose mother is a nomad who lives for her horses--makes peace with an invader and proves her capability to herself and her parents.
by Troon Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Thirteen-year-old Kallisto--whose father is an aristocrat and whose mother is a nomad who lives for her horses--makes peace with an invader and proves her capability to herself and her parents.
The Impossible Rescue
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When an unexpected storm traps hundreds of whalers in treacherous Alaskan terrain, rescuers risk their own lives to help. Resources, timeline and source notes.
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
When an unexpected storm traps hundreds of whalers in treacherous Alaskan terrain, rescuers risk their own lives to help. Resources, timeline and source notes.
Their Skeletons Speak
by Sally M. Walker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Part crime scene investigation, part paleontology lesson, this is a gripping account of information gathered from examining a prehistoric skeleton.
by Sally M. Walker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2012
Part crime scene investigation, part paleontology lesson, this is a gripping account of information gathered from examining a prehistoric skeleton.