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
all the earth, thrown to the sky
written by Joe R. Landsdale
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Driven by the death of his parents and the Dust Storms of Oklahoma, Jack joins up with a classmate and her brother to escape---but encounters all sorts of adventure.
written by Joe R. Landsdale
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Driven by the death of his parents and the Dust Storms of Oklahoma, Jack joins up with a classmate and her brother to escape---but encounters all sorts of adventure.
All the Things You Are
by Courtney Sheinmel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When her mother is imprisoned for embezzlement, seventh grader Carly's life is upended. Can she learn to forgive?
by Courtney Sheinmel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When her mother is imprisoned for embezzlement, seventh grader Carly's life is upended. Can she learn to forgive?
A Long, Long Sleep
written by Anna Sheehan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
After sixty years, sixteen-year-old Rosalinda is awakened by a Prince Charming but faces a strange new world including attempts to “terminate” her.
written by Anna Sheehan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
After sixty years, sixteen-year-old Rosalinda is awakened by a Prince Charming but faces a strange new world including attempts to “terminate” her.
A Monster Calls
written by Patrick Ness
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As his mother is dying, Connor learns to accept the truth through the redemptive power of storytelling.
written by Patrick Ness
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As his mother is dying, Connor learns to accept the truth through the redemptive power of storytelling.
Anya's War
by Andrea Alban
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A Russian Jewish girl whose family seeks refuge in Shanghai in 1937, learns to adapt to her new environment while maintaining her Jewish traditions.
by Andrea Alban
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A Russian Jewish girl whose family seeks refuge in Shanghai in 1937, learns to adapt to her new environment while maintaining her Jewish traditions.
Ashes, Ashes
by Jo Treggiari
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Lucy struggles to survive in a Manhattan devastated by plague, global warming, and roving warriors.
by Jo Treggiari
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Lucy struggles to survive in a Manhattan devastated by plague, global warming, and roving warriors.
At the Sea Floor Cafe
by Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Leslie Evans
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Poetry and prose describe various fascinating creatures. Hand-colored block prints enliven each page. Includes glossary, sources, and information about the poetic forms.
by Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Leslie Evans
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Poetry and prose describe various fascinating creatures. Hand-colored block prints enliven each page. Includes glossary, sources, and information about the poetic forms.
Badd
by Tim Tharp
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A teenage girl changes her views of courage after her beloved brother returns home from the Iraq war.
by Tim Tharp
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A teenage girl changes her views of courage after her beloved brother returns home from the Iraq war.
Belladonna
by Mary Finn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Illiterate Thomas Rose's future prospects are dim until two chance meetings. Set in eighteenth-century England.
by Mary Finn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Illiterate Thomas Rose's future prospects are dim until two chance meetings. Set in eighteenth-century England.
Between Shades of Gray
by Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this tale of bravery in the face of brutality, fifteen-year-old Lina and her family are crowded onto a train that takes them from Russian-occupied Lithuania to Siberia.
by Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this tale of bravery in the face of brutality, fifteen-year-old Lina and her family are crowded onto a train that takes them from Russian-occupied Lithuania to Siberia.
Billions of Years, Amazing Changes
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This engaging book presents the evidence for the theory of evolution and explains how new species appear and how genes cause change. Drawings and photographs illustrate the ideas.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This engaging book presents the evidence for the theory of evolution and explains how new species appear and how genes cause change. Drawings and photographs illustrate the ideas.
Biomimicry
by Dora Lee
Illustrator: Margot Thompson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Discover how inventions such as Velcro, sharkskin-inspired swimsuits, biodegradable plastics and many more were created.
by Dora Lee
Illustrator: Margot Thompson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Discover how inventions such as Velcro, sharkskin-inspired swimsuits, biodegradable plastics and many more were created.
Bird in a Box
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Three African-American children, each dealing with different losses and cherishing different dreams, become friends and find hope in each other--and in the triumph of Joe Louis.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Three African-American children, each dealing with different losses and cherishing different dreams, become friends and find hope in each other--and in the triumph of Joe Louis.
Bloodline Rising
by Katy Moran
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Once Constantinople's “Prince of Thieves,” young Cai is captured and enslaved. Surviving by his wits, he lands in Britain where he finds the key to his family's mysterious history.
by Katy Moran
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Once Constantinople's “Prince of Thieves,” young Cai is captured and enslaved. Surviving by his wits, he lands in Britain where he finds the key to his family's mysterious history.
Bootleg :
by Karen Blumenthal
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
How and why did the United States forbid the consumption of alcohol? Follow the fascinating history of temperance societies, speakeasies, and the failure of Prohibition. Illustrated with archival photographs.
by Karen Blumenthal
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
How and why did the United States forbid the consumption of alcohol? Follow the fascinating history of temperance societies, speakeasies, and the failure of Prohibition. Illustrated with archival photographs.
Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As eleven-year-old Hazel searches the frightening forest in hopes of finding Jack and reclaiming their friendship, she learns to examine the obstacles within her own head.
by Anne Ursu
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As eleven-year-old Hazel searches the frightening forest in hopes of finding Jack and reclaiming their friendship, she learns to examine the obstacles within her own head.
Butterflies
by Susanne Gervay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Having suffered severe burns and scarring as a three-year-old, Katherine relies on the love and help of her mother and older sister until she becomes her own person.
by Susanne Gervay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Having suffered severe burns and scarring as a three-year-old, Katherine relies on the love and help of her mother and older sister until she becomes her own person.
Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London
by Andrea Warren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Forced into child labor himself, Dickens demonstrated his concern for the poor--particularly children--in his literature, influencing reforms. Notes, index, bibliography.
by Andrea Warren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Forced into child labor himself, Dickens demonstrated his concern for the poor--particularly children--in his literature, influencing reforms. Notes, index, bibliography.
Cleopatra's Moon
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Despite the death of her famous parents, Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, Cleopatra Selene determines to surmount the dangers that perpetually surround her and to live in her mother's image.
by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Despite the death of her famous parents, Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, Cleopatra Selene determines to surmount the dangers that perpetually surround her and to live in her mother's image.
Darkness Becomes Her
by Kelly Keaton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In attempting to trace her history, Ari finds herself in ruined New Orleans with vampires and other strange creatures--and discovers she belongs.
by Kelly Keaton
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In attempting to trace her history, Ari finds herself in ruined New Orleans with vampires and other strange creatures--and discovers she belongs.
Daughter of Xanadu
by Dori Jones Yang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In thirteenth-century Mongolia, Princess Emmajin becomes a warrior and her heart changes when she meets Marco Polo. Extensive glossary.
by Dori Jones Yang
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In thirteenth-century Mongolia, Princess Emmajin becomes a warrior and her heart changes when she meets Marco Polo. Extensive glossary.
Dead End in Norvelt
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Jack Gantos is grounded for the summer, but escapes by promising to assist an elderly neighbor write her extraordinary obituaries.
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Jack Gantos is grounded for the summer, but escapes by promising to assist an elderly neighbor write her extraordinary obituaries.
Deadly
by Julie Chibbaro
Illustrator: Jean-Marc Superville Sovak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When sixteen-year-old Prudence Galewski joins the Department of Health in 1906, progress is made in understanding typhoid, and an unwitting carrier is revealed.
by Julie Chibbaro
Illustrator: Jean-Marc Superville Sovak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When sixteen-year-old Prudence Galewski joins the Department of Health in 1906, progress is made in understanding typhoid, and an unwitting carrier is revealed.
Death Watch
by Ari Berk
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When his father disappears, Silas grows into his missing father's peculiar occupations. Vivid characters explore love and loss.
by Ari Berk
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When his father disappears, Silas grows into his missing father's peculiar occupations. Vivid characters explore love and loss.
Digging for Troy:
by Jill Rubalcaba
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Determining the truth behind Homer's legend of the beautiful Helen and the heroes who battled in ancient Troy is an ever-fascinating quest. Watercolor and ink illustrations, bibliography and timeline.
by Jill Rubalcaba
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Determining the truth behind Homer's legend of the beautiful Helen and the heroes who battled in ancient Troy is an ever-fascinating quest. Watercolor and ink illustrations, bibliography and timeline.