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
Between Us Baxters
by Bethany Hegedus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In the post Brown v. Board of Education Jim Crow south, can the friendship between a white girl and an African American girl survive?
by Bethany Hegedus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In the post Brown v. Board of Education Jim Crow south, can the friendship between a white girl and an African American girl survive?
Bones of Faerie
by Janni Lee Simner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Fifteen-year-old Liza sets off on a dangerous quest to find her mother after war has vanquished most of the magic in her world.
by Janni Lee Simner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Fifteen-year-old Liza sets off on a dangerous quest to find her mother after war has vanquished most of the magic in her world.
Breathing
by Cheryl Renée Herbsman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Savannah manages to comply with most of Mama's strict courting rules as she and Jackson support each other in achieving their dreams and independence.
by Cheryl Renée Herbsman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Savannah manages to comply with most of Mama's strict courting rules as she and Jackson support each other in achieving their dreams and independence.
Bull Rider
by Suzanne Morgan Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
When his adored older brother returns maimed from the Iraq War, Cass defies his family to take up bull riding.
by Suzanne Morgan Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
When his adored older brother returns maimed from the Iraq War, Cass defies his family to take up bull riding.
Burn My Heart
by Beverley Naidoo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In the 1950s, a British settler's son and a Kenyan boy are friends until a the Mau Mau uprising disrupts their lives.
by Beverley Naidoo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In the 1950s, a British settler's son and a Kenyan boy are friends until a the Mau Mau uprising disrupts their lives.
Bystander
by James Preller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Thirteen-year-old Eric must find his own creative solution to stop a bully's behavior and maintain his own integrity.
by James Preller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Thirteen-year-old Eric must find his own creative solution to stop a bully's behavior and maintain his own integrity.
Cashay
by Margaret McMullan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Despite growing up in one of Chicago's worst housing projects, Cashay discovers that her intelligence and resilience can change her world.
by Margaret McMullan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Despite growing up in one of Chicago's worst housing projects, Cashay discovers that her intelligence and resilience can change her world.
Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Peeta and Katniss are caught again in the politics of the Capitol, and are forced to compete along with their mentor. A sequel to The Hunger Games.
by Suzanne Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Peeta and Katniss are caught again in the politics of the Capitol, and are forced to compete along with their mentor. A sequel to The Hunger Games.
Comfort
by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Ana Fay, a teenage polio victim, finds help in Warm Springs, Georgia, along with the strength to deal with her father's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Ana Fay, a teenage polio victim, finds help in Warm Springs, Georgia, along with the strength to deal with her father's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Distant Waves
by Suzanne Weyn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
As a daughter of a celebrated medium, Jane struggles with the intersection of science and faith. A fateful voyage on the Titanic transforms her life.
by Suzanne Weyn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
As a daughter of a celebrated medium, Jane struggles with the intersection of science and faith. A fateful voyage on the Titanic transforms her life.
Everything is Fine.
by Ann Dee Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
As Mazzy navigates the aftermath of her mother's depression and her father's abandonment, she struggles to keep everything “just fine.”
by Ann Dee Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
As Mazzy navigates the aftermath of her mother's depression and her father's abandonment, she struggles to keep everything “just fine.”
Fire
by Robin McKinley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Two master storytellers alternate in creating five magical and extraordinary tales.
by Robin McKinley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Two master storytellers alternate in creating five magical and extraordinary tales.
Football Champ
by Tim Green
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
12-year-old Troy, a genuine football genius, becomes entangled in the high-stakes and sometimes treacherous world of the NFL.
by Tim Green
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
12-year-old Troy, a genuine football genius, becomes entangled in the high-stakes and sometimes treacherous world of the NFL.
Gateway
by Sharon Shinn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In an alternate Asian-centric version of the world, Daiyu helps bring down an unscrupulous prime minister. All is jeopardized when love beckons.
by Sharon Shinn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
In an alternate Asian-centric version of the world, Daiyu helps bring down an unscrupulous prime minister. All is jeopardized when love beckons.
Gorgeous
by Rachel Vail
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
An unwilling finalist in a magazine contest for “top model,” Allison discovers truths about herself, friends, and family.
by Rachel Vail
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
An unwilling finalist in a magazine contest for “top model,” Allison discovers truths about herself, friends, and family.
Gray Baby
by Scott Loring Sanders
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
A cantankerous old man helps Clifton deal with the racially-motivated death of his father and his mother's alcoholism.
by Scott Loring Sanders
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
A cantankerous old man helps Clifton deal with the racially-motivated death of his father and his mother's alcoholism.
Greener Grass
by Caroline Pignat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
During the Irish potato famine, fourteen-year-old Kit lives with poverty, extreme hunger, and a vicious landlord.
by Caroline Pignat
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
During the Irish potato famine, fourteen-year-old Kit lives with poverty, extreme hunger, and a vicious landlord.
Hazel
by Julie Hearn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
When a scandal forces 13-year-old Hazel to leave her London home in 1913, she ends up on her grandparents' Caribbean sugar cane plantation and uncovers some old family secrets.
by Julie Hearn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
When a scandal forces 13-year-old Hazel to leave her London home in 1913, she ends up on her grandparents' Caribbean sugar cane plantation and uncovers some old family secrets.
Heartsinger
by Karlijn Stoffels
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Two young singers affect the people they meet in this tale of love and sorrow set in an imaginary folkloric world.
by Karlijn Stoffels
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Two young singers affect the people they meet in this tale of love and sorrow set in an imaginary folkloric world.
Hold Still
by Nina LaCour
Illustrator: Mia Nolting
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
After Caitlin's best friend commits suicide she struggles to find new meaning in her life.
by Nina LaCour
Illustrator: Mia Nolting
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
After Caitlin's best friend commits suicide she struggles to find new meaning in her life.
Hollywood & Maine
by Allison Whittenberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
The arrival of an ex-convict uncle helps shatter Charmaine's dreams of leaving small town Pennsylvnia for Hollywood in 1976.
by Allison Whittenberg
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
The arrival of an ex-convict uncle helps shatter Charmaine's dreams of leaving small town Pennsylvnia for Hollywood in 1976.
How to Say Goodbye in Robot
by Natalie Standiford
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Bea moves to a new town her senior year and befriends reclusive Ghost Boy as her parents' marriage grows rocky.
by Natalie Standiford
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Bea moves to a new town her senior year and befriends reclusive Ghost Boy as her parents' marriage grows rocky.
If the Witness Lied
by Caroline B. Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Three orphaned teen-age siblings attempt to protect their toddler brother from ghoulish media exposure and an evil aunt as they investigate their father's death.
by Caroline B. Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Three orphaned teen-age siblings attempt to protect their toddler brother from ghoulish media exposure and an evil aunt as they investigate their father's death.
Jumped
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
This narrative of three very different teens presents a disturbing picture of adolescent violence.
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
This narrative of three very different teens presents a disturbing picture of adolescent violence.
Killer Pizza
by Greg Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Fourteen-year-old Toby's summer is b-o-r-i-n-g...until he gets a job that involves not just filling pizza orders but also hunting monsters. Really!
by Greg Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2009
Fourteen-year-old Toby's summer is b-o-r-i-n-g...until he gets a job that involves not just filling pizza orders but also hunting monsters. Really!