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 Unnameables
by Ellen Booraem
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
On an island where only useful objects are named, a thirteen-year-old boy attempts to bring change to a community.
by Ellen Booraem
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
On an island where only useful objects are named, a thirteen-year-old boy attempts to bring change to a community.
The Walls of Cartagena
by Julia Durango
Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A boy in seventeenth century Colombia rescues two slaves while interpreting for a priest and the doctor at a leper colony.
by Julia Durango
Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
A boy in seventeenth century Colombia rescues two slaves while interpreting for a priest and the doctor at a leper colony.
The Winter War
by William Durbin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
In 1939, a young polio survivor, Marko, uses grit and skiing prowess to defend Finland against invading Russians.
by William Durbin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
In 1939, a young polio survivor, Marko, uses grit and skiing prowess to defend Finland against invading Russians.
The Writing on the Wall
by Wendy Lichtman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Tess tests her math skills and moral principles to solve a school mystery.
by Wendy Lichtman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Tess tests her math skills and moral principles to solve a school mystery.
Where People Like Us Live
by Patricia Cumbie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Should fourteen-year-old Libby reveal her friend's painful secret--and risk destroying their friendship?
by Patricia Cumbie
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Should fourteen-year-old Libby reveal her friend's painful secret--and risk destroying their friendship?
White Sands, Red Menace
by Ellen Klages
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Dewey faces a difficult choice as the Gordon family struggles to stay together amid post-atomic-bomb politics in 1946 Almagordo, New Mexico.
by Ellen Klages
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Dewey faces a difficult choice as the Gordon family struggles to stay together amid post-atomic-bomb politics in 1946 Almagordo, New Mexico.
Would You
by Marthe Jocelyn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Natalie must grapple with life and death issues when her sister's accident leaves her on life support.
by Marthe Jocelyn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2008
Natalie must grapple with life and death issues when her sister's accident leaves her on life support.
Archie's War
written and ill. by Marcia Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
The daily life of a London boy during World War II is vivid and poignantly detailed in this graphic-style scrapbook format.
written and ill. by Marcia Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
The daily life of a London boy during World War II is vivid and poignantly detailed in this graphic-style scrapbook format.
A Tale of Gold
by Thelma Hatch Wyss
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
When gold is discovered in the Yukon, a fourteen-year-old orphan joins the stampede north, picking up unlikely partners along the way.
by Thelma Hatch Wyss
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
When gold is discovered in the Yukon, a fourteen-year-old orphan joins the stampede north, picking up unlikely partners along the way.
Beauty Shop For Rent...fully equipped, inquire within
by Laura Bowers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Fourteen-year-old Abbey establishes a support system and learns to trust people in this quirky, humorous story.
by Laura Bowers
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Fourteen-year-old Abbey establishes a support system and learns to trust people in this quirky, humorous story.
Beige
by Cecil Castellucci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
When fourteen-year-old Katy spends the summer in Los Angeles getting to know her “punk rock” father, she also gets to know herself.
by Cecil Castellucci
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
When fourteen-year-old Katy spends the summer in Los Angeles getting to know her “punk rock” father, she also gets to know herself.
Bone by Bone by Bone
by Tony Johnston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In 1940s Tennessee, nine-year-old David finds a best friend and learns the deep hurt and consequences of hate and racism.
by Tony Johnston
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In 1940s Tennessee, nine-year-old David finds a best friend and learns the deep hurt and consequences of hate and racism.
Born For Adventure
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Tom, a chemist's assistant, talks his way into accompanying Henry Morton Stanley on an expedition into the African jungle of 1887.
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Tom, a chemist's assistant, talks his way into accompanying Henry Morton Stanley on an expedition into the African jungle of 1887.
Cover-Up
by John Feinstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Steve and Susan Carol, intrepid fourteen-year-old sports reporters, cover the big football game --- and stumble on a doping cover-up.
by John Feinstein
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Steve and Susan Carol, intrepid fourteen-year-old sports reporters, cover the big football game --- and stumble on a doping cover-up.
Cracker!
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
During the Vietnamese War, a German shepherd and his handler team up to search for the enemy, bombs and traps. Told from the dog's point of view.
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
During the Vietnamese War, a German shepherd and his handler team up to search for the enemy, bombs and traps. Told from the dog's point of view.
Diamonds in the Shadow
by Caroline B Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
A generous, but initially clueless, American family host African refugees with a horrific past and a sinister, dangerous secret.
by Caroline B Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
A generous, but initially clueless, American family host African refugees with a horrific past and a sinister, dangerous secret.
Does My Head Look Big In This?
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
An eleventh grade Australian-Palestinian girl struggles with her decision to wear the hijab(muslim head scarf).
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
An eleventh grade Australian-Palestinian girl struggles with her decision to wear the hijab(muslim head scarf).
Duchessina
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
With Rome and Florence vying for control of sixteenth century Italy, Catherine survives jealousy, greed and disease to become the consort of France's Henry II.
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
With Rome and Florence vying for control of sixteenth century Italy, Catherine survives jealousy, greed and disease to become the consort of France's Henry II.
Edenville Owls
by Robert B. Parker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Just after World War II, fourteen-year-old Bobby enlists his friends' help to solve his teacher's problem and hisown dilemmas.
by Robert B. Parker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Just after World War II, fourteen-year-old Bobby enlists his friends' help to solve his teacher's problem and hisown dilemmas.
Enter Three Witches
by Caroline B. Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Fourteen-year-old Lady Mary is caught up in the events surrounding her treacherous Scottish relatives, Lord and Lady MacBeth.
by Caroline B. Cooney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Fourteen-year-old Lady Mary is caught up in the events surrounding her treacherous Scottish relatives, Lord and Lady MacBeth.
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature
by Robin Brande
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Mena's fundamentalist upbringing clashes with her growing sense of other possibilities, such as compassion, evolution and a boyfriend.
by Robin Brande
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Mena's fundamentalist upbringing clashes with her growing sense of other possibilities, such as compassion, evolution and a boyfriend.
Extras
by Scott Westerfeld
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In this exciting story, set in a parallel universe, fifteen-year-old Aya meets the sly girls and life becomes more dangerous.
by Scott Westerfeld
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In this exciting story, set in a parallel universe, fifteen-year-old Aya meets the sly girls and life becomes more dangerous.
Eye of the Crow
by Shane Peacock
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Sherlock Holmes at age thirteen already reveals his brilliant mind and psychological trappings. Details of London life in the 1860s.
by Shane Peacock
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Sherlock Holmes at age thirteen already reveals his brilliant mind and psychological trappings. Details of London life in the 1860s.
Factory Girl
by Barbara Greenwood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In 1905, a twelve-year-old girl works 11 hours a day in a garment factory to keep her family from starving.
by Barbara Greenwood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
In 1905, a twelve-year-old girl works 11 hours a day in a garment factory to keep her family from starving.
Faeries Of Dreamdark
by Laini Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Magpie Windwitch sets off to capture a new devil but must battle evil far worse than she has ever known.
by Laini Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2007
Magpie Windwitch sets off to capture a new devil but must battle evil far worse than she has ever known.