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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The Running Dream
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When running star, Jessica, age sixteen, loses her leg in an accident, she is certain that her life is over. Gradually she begins to learn that people are not their disabilities.
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When running star, Jessica, age sixteen, loses her leg in an accident, she is certain that her life is over. Gradually she begins to learn that people are not their disabilities.
The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
On an island where carnivorous horses erupt from the water, Sean--who can control them--and Puck and enter the violent, annual horse race. The outcome is bittersweet.
by Maggie Stiefvater
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
On an island where carnivorous horses erupt from the water, Sean--who can control them--and Puck and enter the violent, annual horse race. The outcome is bittersweet.
The Summer I Learned to Fly
by Dane Reinhardt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
After Birdie meets Emmett Crane, she starts to experience her world in a new way. Exquisitely written.
by Dane Reinhardt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
After Birdie meets Emmett Crane, she starts to experience her world in a new way. Exquisitely written.
The Summer of May
by Cecilia Galante
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
May, a very angry thirteen-year-old, has to go to summer school with Movado the Avocado - the worst English teacher ever.
by Cecilia Galante
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
May, a very angry thirteen-year-old, has to go to summer school with Movado the Avocado - the worst English teacher ever.
The Traitor's Smile
by Patricia Elliott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
advance reader's copy Sixteen-year-old Eugenie, from an aristocratic family, flees from the French Revolution and joins her English cousin in a thrilling effort to save her brother ...and herself.
by Patricia Elliott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
advance reader's copy Sixteen-year-old Eugenie, from an aristocratic family, flees from the French Revolution and joins her English cousin in a thrilling effort to save her brother ...and herself.
The Undrowned Child
by Michelle Lovric
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In 1899 eleven-year-old Teodora becomes involved in a mysterious, deadly serious battle between good and evil. Can she help prevent the destruction of Venice?
by Michelle Lovric
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In 1899 eleven-year-old Teodora becomes involved in a mysterious, deadly serious battle between good and evil. Can she help prevent the destruction of Venice?
The Watch That Ends The Night
written by Allan Wolf
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In varied verse forms, the passengers, the crew, the rats--and the iceberg--tell the dramatic story of the famous shipwreck.
written by Allan Wolf
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In varied verse forms, the passengers, the crew, the rats--and the iceberg--tell the dramatic story of the famous shipwreck.
This Girl is Different
by J. J. Johnson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When homeschooled Eve spends her senior year in a public high school, she causes havoc by challenging its rules and routines as undemocratic.
by J. J. Johnson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
When homeschooled Eve spends her senior year in a public high school, she causes havoc by challenging its rules and routines as undemocratic.
Through Her Eyes
by Jennifer Archer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this ghostly tale, sixteen-year-old Tansy faces her new haunted home, school, ans friendship;s through her camera lens.
by Jennifer Archer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In this ghostly tale, sixteen-year-old Tansy faces her new haunted home, school, ans friendship;s through her camera lens.
Trapped
by Michael Northrop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Seven resourceful teens are trapped in their Connecticut high school when the ‘blizzard of the century' shuts down transportation, power, and communication.
by Michael Northrop
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Seven resourceful teens are trapped in their Connecticut high school when the ‘blizzard of the century' shuts down transportation, power, and communication.
Under the Mesquite
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As her mother battles cancer, Lupita takes on the responsibility for her seven younger siblings while finding refuge in acting and writing poetry. Includes Spanish glossary.
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
As her mother battles cancer, Lupita takes on the responsibility for her seven younger siblings while finding refuge in acting and writing poetry. Includes Spanish glossary.
Viola in the Spotlight
by Adriana Trigiani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Fifteen-year-old Viola uses her film skills to turn lens on her changing relationships with with her family and friends.
by Adriana Trigiani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Fifteen-year-old Viola uses her film skills to turn lens on her changing relationships with with her family and friends.
Warped
by Maurissa Guibord
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In a lively fantasy woven of elements from the past and present, Tessa struggles to determine her true self.
by Maurissa Guibord
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In a lively fantasy woven of elements from the past and present, Tessa struggles to determine her true self.
What Happened to Goodbye
by Sarah Dessen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
High school senior McLean resists relationships as she and her divorced father move often, but finally she finds friends who won't let her escape them...or herself.
by Sarah Dessen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
High school senior McLean resists relationships as she and her divorced father move often, but finally she finds friends who won't let her escape them...or herself.
Wheels of Change
by Sue Macy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The creation of the bicycle in the late 1800s transformed transportation and dress and provided equal opportunity. Archival material and photographs.
by Sue Macy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The creation of the bicycle in the late 1800s transformed transportation and dress and provided equal opportunity. Archival material and photographs.
Where I Belong
by Gillian Cross
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
From the relative safety of London, Khodija uses her modeling talent to rescue her younger brother who was kidnapped in Somalia.
by Gillian Cross
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
From the relative safety of London, Khodija uses her modeling talent to rescue her younger brother who was kidnapped in Somalia.
Where the Streets Had a Name
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Palestinians Hayatt and Samy sneak into Jerusalem so that Hayatt's grandmother can once more touch the soil of her home.
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Palestinians Hayatt and Samy sneak into Jerusalem so that Hayatt's grandmother can once more touch the soil of her home.
Witches
written and illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692, a wave of hysteria about people who were accused of being witches ended in the infamous “Witch Trials. Strong black, white and red scratch board illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
In Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692, a wave of hysteria about people who were accused of being witches ended in the infamous “Witch Trials. Strong black, white and red scratch board illustrations.
Women Heroes of World War II
by Kathryn J. Atwood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The history of these brave women's involvement in World War II, comes alive in easily digestible chapters. Archival photographs and extensive source information.
by Kathryn J. Atwood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
The history of these brave women's involvement in World War II, comes alive in easily digestible chapters. Archival photographs and extensive source information.
Words in the Dust
by Trent Reedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Zulaikha.s life in contemporary Afghanistan changes when American soldiers operate on her cleft lip and her deceased mother's friend teaches her how to read.
by Trent Reedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Zulaikha.s life in contemporary Afghanistan changes when American soldiers operate on her cleft lip and her deceased mother's friend teaches her how to read.
You Don't Know About Me
by Brian Meehl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Billy escapes from his repressive, religious fanatic mother, embarking on a journey to discover the truth about his biological father.
by Brian Meehl
Ages: 12+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Billy escapes from his repressive, religious fanatic mother, embarking on a journey to discover the truth about his biological father.
13 Treasures
by Michelle Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
The fairies, always a part of thirteen-year-old Tanya's life, cause her to be sent to her grandmother's where mysteries abound.
by Michelle Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
The fairies, always a part of thirteen-year-old Tanya's life, cause her to be sent to her grandmother's where mysteries abound.
A Family Secret
by Eric Heuvel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
In this graphic companion to The Search, Helena's father helps to save her Jewish friend, Esther.
by Eric Heuvel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
In this graphic companion to The Search, Helena's father helps to save her Jewish friend, Esther.
After Ever After
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
Jeffrey and Tad, both cancer survivors, support one another through the ups and downs of middle school.
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
Jeffrey and Tad, both cancer survivors, support one another through the ups and downs of middle school.
As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth
by Lynne Rae Perkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
Fifteen-year-old Roy discovers that camp is cancelled and then experiences humorous adventures that transform his life.
by Lynne Rae Perkins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2010
Fifteen-year-old Roy discovers that camp is cancelled and then experiences humorous adventures that transform his life.