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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Divergent
by Veronica Roth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this breathtaking dystopian adventure, the most important thing for sixteen-year-old Beatrice is to make the right choice.
by Veronica Roth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this breathtaking dystopian adventure, the most important thing for sixteen-year-old Beatrice is to make the right choice.
Dogtag Summer
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The summer before she enters junior high school, Tracy, an adopted Vietnamese girl, finds something that brings back painful memories.
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The summer before she enters junior high school, Tracy, an adopted Vietnamese girl, finds something that brings back painful memories.
Eddie's War
by Carol Fisher Saller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Eddie is too young to enlist in World War II, but from his farm in Ellisville, Illinois, he sees how the conflict affects all its citizens,including his bomber pilot brother, Tom. Beautifully written “prose vignettes.”
by Carol Fisher Saller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Eddie is too young to enlist in World War II, but from his farm in Ellisville, Illinois, he sees how the conflict affects all its citizens,including his bomber pilot brother, Tom. Beautifully written “prose vignettes.”
Everfound
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Abbie and her allies fight to thwart Mary and her “children's” plan to destroy Earth.
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Abbie and her allies fight to thwart Mary and her “children's” plan to destroy Earth.
Famous
by Todd Strasser
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Jamie, a talented photographer, becomes ensnared in a world of superstars, ultimately forcing her to bring the world into closer focus.
by Todd Strasser
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Jamie, a talented photographer, becomes ensnared in a world of superstars, ultimately forcing her to bring the world into closer focus.
Father of Lies
by Ann Turner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In 1692 fourteen-year-old Lidda attempts to expose the lies of the Salem witch trials while dealing with her own mental problems.
by Ann Turner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In 1692 fourteen-year-old Lidda attempts to expose the lies of the Salem witch trials while dealing with her own mental problems.
First Club
by Cathleen Daly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Best friends Annie and Izzy join forces to navigate the challenging social world of middle school.
by Cathleen Daly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Best friends Annie and Izzy join forces to navigate the challenging social world of middle school.
Five Thousand Years of Slavery
by Marjorie Gann
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Slavery has a long history among many cultures, religions, and ethnic groups--and shamefully still exists today. Archival photographs and artwork. Timeline and limited sources.
by Marjorie Gann
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Slavery has a long history among many cultures, religions, and ethnic groups--and shamefully still exists today. Archival photographs and artwork. Timeline and limited sources.
Flesh and Blood So Cheap
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The response to a horrific workplace tragedy in 1911 helped bring about much needed labor reforms. Archival photographs.
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The response to a horrific workplace tragedy in 1911 helped bring about much needed labor reforms. Archival photographs.
Four Seasons
by Jane Breskin Zalben
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Allegro started to play the piano at the age of four. Now at thirteen she faces a decision about the role of music in her future.
by Jane Breskin Zalben
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Allegro started to play the piano at the age of four. Now at thirteen she faces a decision about the role of music in her future.
Guantanamo Boy
by Anna Perera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
On vacation in Pakistan, a fifteen-year-old British boy, Khalid Ahmed, is seized and sent to Guantanamo where he suffers brutal interrogation and torture.
by Anna Perera
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
On vacation in Pakistan, a fifteen-year-old British boy, Khalid Ahmed, is seized and sent to Guantanamo where he suffers brutal interrogation and torture.
Hera:
by George O'Connor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Among the Olympians, Hera is often portrayed as spiteful, but here her story is told from a different point of view. Powerful graphic style.
by George O'Connor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Among the Olympians, Hera is often portrayed as spiteful, but here her story is told from a different point of view. Powerful graphic style.
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
by Lish McBride
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sam LeCroix, a college dropout, discovers that he is a necromancer, part of a world of harbingers, werewolves and satyrs, and must find out how to use his mysterious latent powers.
by Lish McBride
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sam LeCroix, a college dropout, discovers that he is a necromancer, part of a world of harbingers, werewolves and satyrs, and must find out how to use his mysterious latent powers.
How I stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend
written by Gary Ghislain
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Fourteen-year-old David finds hilarious adventures and self-confidence with Zelda who claims she is from another planet.
written by Gary Ghislain
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Fourteen-year-old David finds hilarious adventures and self-confidence with Zelda who claims she is from another planet.
How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous
by Georgia Bragg
Illustrator: Kevin OMalley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This humorous, irreverent, and sometimes gory examination of the life and death of nineteen celebrities is not for the squeamish! Includes fascinating related facts and a multitude of sources.
by Georgia Bragg
Illustrator: Kevin OMalley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This humorous, irreverent, and sometimes gory examination of the life and death of nineteen celebrities is not for the squeamish! Includes fascinating related facts and a multitude of sources.
Hurricane Dancers
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A young slave on a pirate ship in the Caribbean in the 1500s begins a new, free life when a hurricane sinks the vessel. Told in verse.
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
A young slave on a pirate ship in the Caribbean in the 1500s begins a new, free life when a hurricane sinks the vessel. Told in verse.
I'll Be There
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Sam's anchor is the need to protect his brother Riddle from their volatile, unstable father. When they meet Emily's family, they learn what a loving home can be.
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Sam's anchor is the need to protect his brother Riddle from their volatile, unstable father. When they meet Emily's family, they learn what a loving home can be.
Island's End
by Padma Venkatraman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Uido, chosen as the island's spiritual leader, confronts the threat of strangers destroying her people's traditions.
by Padma Venkatraman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Uido, chosen as the island's spiritual leader, confronts the threat of strangers destroying her people's traditions.
Jasper Jones
by Craig Silvey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In a small town in Australia, bookish thirteen-year-old Charlie learns about loyalty and friendship when the town “bad boy” asks him to help cover up a murder in order to find the one really responsible.
by Craig Silvey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In a small town in Australia, bookish thirteen-year-old Charlie learns about loyalty and friendship when the town “bad boy” asks him to help cover up a murder in order to find the one really responsible.
Jefferson's Sons
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
What would you do if Thomas Jefferson was your father and you couldn't call him “papa”? A nuanced portrait of our third President and the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
What would you do if Thomas Jefferson was your father and you couldn't call him “papa”? A nuanced portrait of our third President and the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.
Kat, Incorrigible
by Stephanie Burgis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Kat uses magic to upend the traditions of courtship and romance in Regency England. Humorous fantasy.
by Stephanie Burgis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Kat uses magic to upend the traditions of courtship and romance in Regency England. Humorous fantasy.
Kick
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Can Sergeant Brown clear thirteen-year-old Kevin of larceny and kidnapping charges? Told in alternating voices. Varsity soccer game vividly detailed.
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Can Sergeant Brown clear thirteen-year-old Kevin of larceny and kidnapping charges? Told in alternating voices. Varsity soccer game vividly detailed.
Like Mandarin
by Kirsten Hubbard
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Serious fourteen-year-old Grace admires carefree classmate Mandarin, but eventually learns the limits of friendship.
by Kirsten Hubbard
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Serious fourteen-year-old Grace admires carefree classmate Mandarin, but eventually learns the limits of friendship.
Long Story Short
by Siobhán Parkinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
To escape a chaotic home, fourteen-year-old Jonathan runs away with his eight-year-old sister only to find greater difficulties.
by Siobhán Parkinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
To escape a chaotic home, fourteen-year-old Jonathan runs away with his eight-year-old sister only to find greater difficulties.
Lost and Found
written and ill. by Shaun Tan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This collection of three stories about loss, friendship, and hope is richly and imaginatively illustrated in the author's unique mixed-media style.
written and ill. by Shaun Tan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
This collection of three stories about loss, friendship, and hope is richly and imaginatively illustrated in the author's unique mixed-media style.