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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Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper
by Michael Reisman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Simon and two sixth-grade buddies apply a new discovery about the laws of physics as they battle evil forces in their town.
by Michael Reisman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Simon and two sixth-grade buddies apply a new discovery about the laws of physics as they battle evil forces in their town.
Slipping
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Michael's odd and frightening connection to his dead grandfather leads him to greater understanding of his father, his friends and himself.
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Michael's odd and frightening connection to his dead grandfather leads him to greater understanding of his father, his friends and himself.
Streams of Babel
by Carol Plum-Ucci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A gripping tale of a terrorist attack on an American town and the brilliant teen-age hackers who oppose them.
by Carol Plum-Ucci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A gripping tale of a terrorist attack on an American town and the brilliant teen-age hackers who oppose them.
Sunrise Over Fallujah
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An eighteen-year-old from Harlem discovers the horrors of war during his service in Iraq.
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An eighteen-year-old from Harlem discovers the horrors of war during his service in Iraq.
Sword
by Da Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
In Ancient china, Miu employs wit and martial arts to avenge her father's murder.
by Da Chen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
In Ancient china, Miu employs wit and martial arts to avenge her father's murder.
Ten Mile River
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two homeless teenage boys find it hard to go straight, even with the chance of a better life.
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two homeless teenage boys find it hard to go straight, even with the chance of a better life.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
by Mary E. Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Emerging from a year-long coma, seventeen-year-old Jenna learns that she is an illegal survivor.
by Mary E. Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Emerging from a year-long coma, seventeen-year-old Jenna learns that she is an illegal survivor.
The Battle for Skandia
by John Flanagan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two warring kingdoms join forces to defeat a common enemy. Compelling addition to this epic series.
by John Flanagan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two warring kingdoms join forces to defeat a common enemy. Compelling addition to this epic series.
The Boy Who Dared
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Helmut Huebner tells of his incarceration in 1942 for his attempt to tell the truth about Hitler to the German people.
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Helmut Huebner tells of his incarceration in 1942 for his attempt to tell the truth about Hitler to the German people.
The Diamond of Drury Lane
by Julia Golding
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Cat Royal becomes involved in eighteenth century-political intrigue and is pursued by a street gang before noble friends come to the rescue.
by Julia Golding
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Cat Royal becomes involved in eighteenth century-political intrigue and is pursued by a street gang before noble friends come to the rescue.
The Diary of Laura's Twin
by Kathy Kacer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Although initially reluctant to participate in the Holocaust twinning project for her bat mitzvah, 12-year-old Laura becomes inspired and strengthened by it.
by Kathy Kacer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Although initially reluctant to participate in the Holocaust twinning project for her bat mitzvah, 12-year-old Laura becomes inspired and strengthened by it.
The Door of No Return
by Sarah Mussi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Ruthlessly pursued, Zac must solve the mystery of his grandfather's murder and the truth of his own ancestry among the Ghanian Kings.
by Sarah Mussi
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Ruthlessly pursued, Zac must solve the mystery of his grandfather's murder and the truth of his own ancestry among the Ghanian Kings.
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk
by Sid Fleischman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A ventriloquist develops a transforming relationship with the spirit of a twelve-year-old Jewish victim of the Nazis.
by Sid Fleischman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A ventriloquist develops a transforming relationship with the spirit of a twelve-year-old Jewish victim of the Nazis.
The Ghost's Child
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An old woman shares the story of her fanciful life with a young visitor in this beautiful, fable-like quest for the meaning of life.
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
An old woman shares the story of her fanciful life with a young visitor in this beautiful, fable-like quest for the meaning of life.
The House of Djinn
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Mumtaz and cousin Jameel are transfomed by the customs and expectations of their Pakistani tribal leadership. Sequel to “Shabanu” and “Haveli.”
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fifteen-year-old Mumtaz and cousin Jameel are transfomed by the customs and expectations of their Pakistani tribal leadership. Sequel to “Shabanu” and “Haveli.”
The Humming of Numbers
by Joni Sensel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Aiden, a monastic novice with mysterious numerical powers, joins Lara, the Lord's bastard, to battle raiding Vikings in twelfth-century Ireland.
by Joni Sensel
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Aiden, a monastic novice with mysterious numerical powers, joins Lara, the Lord's bastard, to battle raiding Vikings in twelfth-century Ireland.
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Set in a dystopic future, 16-year-old Katnis is selected to represent her impoverished district in events that require her to fight to the death.
by Suzanne Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Set in a dystopic future, 16-year-old Katnis is selected to represent her impoverished district in events that require her to fight to the death.
The Landing
by John Ibbitson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Ben is trapped in a poverty-stricken island existence until a wealthy summer visitor recognizes and encourages his musical talent.
by John Ibbitson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Ben is trapped in a poverty-stricken island existence until a wealthy summer visitor recognizes and encourages his musical talent.
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia
by Susan Runholt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two teenaged girls discover a major art forgery and murder scheme.
by Susan Runholt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Two teenaged girls discover a major art forgery and murder scheme.
The Other Side of the Island
by Allegra Goodman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Honor and her family rebel to end the world wide control of Earth Mother.
by Allegra Goodman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Honor and her family rebel to end the world wide control of Earth Mother.
The Red Necklace
by Sally Gardner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A gypsy with magical powers rescues an innocent girl from the bloodshed of the French Revolution.
by Sally Gardner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A gypsy with magical powers rescues an innocent girl from the bloodshed of the French Revolution.
The Running Man
by Michael Gerard Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fourteen-year-old Joseph visits his reclusive neighbor to draw his portrait, and helps him come out of his coccoon just as his silkworm emerges.
by Michael Gerard Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Fourteen-year-old Joseph visits his reclusive neighbor to draw his portrait, and helps him come out of his coccoon just as his silkworm emerges.
The Smile
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Through the eyes of teenage Elizabeth, we see Renaissance Florence and historical figures including Leonardo, Savoranola and the Medicis.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Through the eyes of teenage Elizabeth, we see Renaissance Florence and historical figures including Leonardo, Savoranola and the Medicis.
The Ultimate Teen Book Guide
edited by Daniel Hahn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Readers looking for titles, authors and lists of genre books will find much to explore. Comments by teens and authors.
edited by Daniel Hahn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Readers looking for titles, authors and lists of genre books will find much to explore. Comments by teens and authors.
The Underneath
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Three interwoven stories about humans and animals tell of loneliness, love, loyalty and danger.
by Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: David Small
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Three interwoven stories about humans and animals tell of loneliness, love, loyalty and danger.