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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Itch
by Michelle D. Kwasney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Seeking help in enduring the loss of her grandfather, Itch finds someone who is suffering more than she is.
by Michelle D. Kwasney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Seeking help in enduring the loss of her grandfather, Itch finds someone who is suffering more than she is.
Ivy
by Julie Hearn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A red-haired beauty from a family of thieves poses for a rich London artist in this Dickensian tale.
by Julie Hearn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A red-haired beauty from a family of thieves poses for a rich London artist in this Dickensian tale.
Jerk, California
by Jonathan Friesen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
On the road, Jack gains a sense of the father he never knew and the confidence to combat his Tourette's syndrome.
by Jonathan Friesen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
On the road, Jack gains a sense of the father he never knew and the confidence to combat his Tourette's syndrome.
Jimmy's Stars
by Mary Ann Rodman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
During World War II, sixth-grader Ellie experiences loss and sacrifice and grows emotionally.
by Mary Ann Rodman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
During World War II, sixth-grader Ellie experiences loss and sacrifice and grows emotionally.
Joseph
by Shelia P. Moses
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Joseph tries to protect and care for his alcoholic and drug-addicted mother while finding his own identity.
by Shelia P. Moses
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Joseph tries to protect and care for his alcoholic and drug-addicted mother while finding his own identity.
Little Rock Nine
by Marshall Poe
Illustrator: Ellen Lindner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
`Two fictional students, one black, one white, participate in the historic struggle to integrate Central high in 1957 Arkansas.
by Marshall Poe
Illustrator: Ellen Lindner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
`Two fictional students, one black, one white, participate in the historic struggle to integrate Central high in 1957 Arkansas.
Looks
by Madeleine George
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An anorexic poet and an obese loner join forces to survive and avenge high school betrayals.
by Madeleine George
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An anorexic poet and an obese loner join forces to survive and avenge high school betrayals.
Love & Lies
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Marisol defers college for a year to write a novel and experiences the ups and downs of new love--lesbian or straight.
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Marisol defers college for a year to write a novel and experiences the ups and downs of new love--lesbian or straight.
Madapple
by Christina Meldrum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When teenager, home-schooled Aslaug's mother dies, she finds relatives, family secrets and more.
by Christina Meldrum
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When teenager, home-schooled Aslaug's mother dies, she finds relatives, family secrets and more.
My Most Excellent Year
by Steve Kluger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Three creative ninth graders prove that while some situations are very challenging, nothing is impossible.
by Steve Kluger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Three creative ninth graders prove that while some situations are very challenging, nothing is impossible.
Nation
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When Mau's village is destroyed by the great wave, he must determine for himself what it means to be a man.
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When Mau's village is destroyed by the great wave, he must determine for himself what it means to be a man.
Nick of Time
by Ted Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Nick McIver's bravery and knowledge of the sea help him cope with both nineteenth- century pirates and Nazi u-boats.
by Ted Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Nick McIver's bravery and knowledge of the sea help him cope with both nineteenth- century pirates and Nazi u-boats.
On Beale Street
by Ronald Kidd
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Johnny's life becomes complicated when he discovers Beale Street, music, the young Elvis and the secrets in his own life.
by Ronald Kidd
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Johnny's life becomes complicated when he discovers Beale Street, music, the young Elvis and the secrets in his own life.
Outside Beauty
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Four sisters with four different fathers and a charismatic but unpredictable mother, cope with an accident that threatens their unique family.
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Four sisters with four different fathers and a charismatic but unpredictable mother, cope with an accident that threatens their unique family.
Owning It
edited by Donald R. Gallo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Honest, realistic accounts of medical challenges that teens can face are described by noted authors of teen fiction.
edited by Donald R. Gallo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Honest, realistic accounts of medical challenges that teens can face are described by noted authors of teen fiction.
Pain & Wastings
by Carrie Mac
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Living in a group home, Ethan meets a paramedic who is a link to his suppressed past.
by Carrie Mac
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Living in a group home, Ethan meets a paramedic who is a link to his suppressed past.
Peeled
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An upstate New York apple-growing community is threatened by double-dealing theme park developers and avaricious politicians until Hildy and her fellow reporters do an exposé.
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An upstate New York apple-growing community is threatened by double-dealing theme park developers and avaricious politicians until Hildy and her fellow reporters do an exposé.
Piggy
by Mireille Geus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When autistic twelve-year-old Lizzy makes friends with an emotionally disturbed girl, devastating events unfold challenging her inner resources.
by Mireille Geus
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When autistic twelve-year-old Lizzy makes friends with an emotionally disturbed girl, devastating events unfold challenging her inner resources.
Puppy Love
by Nancy Krulik
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
High school senior Alana loves dogs and spends time helping both dogs and people, but she still reacts to well-developed abs.
by Nancy Krulik
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
High school senior Alana loves dogs and spends time helping both dogs and people, but she still reacts to well-developed abs.
Ringside, 1925
by Jen Bryant
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
The ways people disagreed about evolution in the past, and continue to do so today, are revealed in blank verse.
by Jen Bryant
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
The ways people disagreed about evolution in the past, and continue to do so today, are revealed in blank verse.
Robert Louise Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
adapted by Alan Grant
Illustrator: Cam Kennedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Appropriately dark and mysterious panels work well with the adapted text to introduce this classic.
adapted by Alan Grant
Illustrator: Cam Kennedy
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Appropriately dark and mysterious panels work well with the adapted text to introduce this classic.
Saturday Night Dirt
by Will Weaver
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Car races draw drivers, fans and workers who experience danger and romance in a small Minnesota town.
by Will Weaver
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Car races draw drivers, fans and workers who experience danger and romance in a small Minnesota town.
Savvy
by Ingrid Law
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A thirteen-year-old uses her new powers to help her critically injured father and acquires friends and understanding.
by Ingrid Law
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A thirteen-year-old uses her new powers to help her critically injured father and acquires friends and understanding.
Season of Ice
by Diane Les Becquets
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Gen is tough--racing cars in rural Maine--but when her father goes missing, she sets out to find him and herself.
by Diane Les Becquets
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Gen is tough--racing cars in rural Maine--but when her father goes missing, she sets out to find him and herself.
Shift
by Jennifer Bradbury
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When Chris and Win bicycle from West Virginia to the Pacific, each boy learns more about himself and the loyalty of true friends.
by Jennifer Bradbury
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
When Chris and Win bicycle from West Virginia to the Pacific, each boy learns more about himself and the loyalty of true friends.