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 Monster in Me
by Mette Ivie Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Placed with a foster family in rural Utah while her mother is in rehab, a fourteen-year-old slowly learns to trust others and herself.
by Mette Ivie Harrison
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Placed with a foster family in rural Utah while her mother is in rehab, a fourteen-year-old slowly learns to trust others and herself.
The Pack
by Elisa Carbone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Misfits in a school band together to ward off a threat of violence, but find that the path is complicated.
by Elisa Carbone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Misfits in a school band together to ward off a threat of violence, but find that the path is complicated.
The Traitor
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
An illegitimate boy and an isolated Chinese American become friends despite the racial tensions in a Wyoming territory coal mining town in 1885.
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
An illegitimate boy and an isolated Chinese American become friends despite the racial tensions in a Wyoming territory coal mining town in 1885.
The Trouble with Jeremy Chance
by George Harrar
Illustrator: Elizabeth Thayer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
In 1919, twelve-year-old Jeremy leaves his rural home and runs away to Boston after a disagreement of conscience with his father.
by George Harrar
Illustrator: Elizabeth Thayer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
In 1919, twelve-year-old Jeremy leaves his rural home and runs away to Boston after a disagreement of conscience with his father.
Tomorrow, Maybe
by Brian James
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A thirteen-year-old girl runs away to New York City and survives on the streets for two years.
by Brian James
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A thirteen-year-old girl runs away to New York City and survives on the streets for two years.
To the Edge of the World
by Michele Torrey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A cabin boy's voyage with Magellan. A riveting adventure.
by Michele Torrey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A cabin boy's voyage with Magellan. A riveting adventure.
Trickster's Choice
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Captured and enslaved, Ali uses spying talents, in her bargain with a trickster god, to save a royal family--and herself.
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Captured and enslaved, Ali uses spying talents, in her bargain with a trickster god, to save a royal family--and herself.
Twists and Turns
by Janet McDonald
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Two sisters from a housing project start a business with the help of community leaders and friends. Humorous and provocative.
by Janet McDonald
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
Two sisters from a housing project start a business with the help of community leaders and friends. Humorous and provocative.
Under the Same Sky
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
While earning money for a motorbike, fourteen-year-old Joe works on the family farm along with the migrant workers and learns about relationships and the world.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
While earning money for a motorbike, fourteen-year-old Joe works on the family farm along with the migrant workers and learns about relationships and the world.
Zig Zag
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A family's feelings about a trip across the American West after the death of the father.
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2003
A family's feelings about a trip across the American West after the death of the father.
A Foreign Field
by Gillian Chan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
The friendship between a Canadian teenage girl and a young British pilot-in-training during World War II.
by Gillian Chan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
The friendship between a Canadian teenage girl and a young British pilot-in-training during World War II.
An Ocean Apart, a World Away
by Lensey Namioka
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In 1920s China, Yanyan struggles against the rules for women, then finds herself in a different struggle an ocean away.
by Lensey Namioka
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In 1920s China, Yanyan struggles against the rules for women, then finds herself in a different struggle an ocean away.
Aphrodite's Blessings
by Clemence McLaren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Women's views of love in vivid retellings of three Greek myths filled with action and suspense.
by Clemence McLaren
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Women's views of love in vivid retellings of three Greek myths filled with action and suspense.
Ashes of Roses
by Mary Jane Auch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In 1911, the year of the tragic Triangle Fire, two teenagers from Ireland learn to survive alone in New York City.
by Mary Jane Auch
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In 1911, the year of the tragic Triangle Fire, two teenagers from Ireland learn to survive alone in New York City.
Big Mouth & Ugly Girl
by
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Post-Columbine fears turn Matt's rash statements into a major school crisis.
by
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Post-Columbine fears turn Matt's rash statements into a major school crisis.
Black-eyed Suzie
by Susan Shaw
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In response to her mother's abuse, Suzie stops eating and talking. She is rescued by a beloved uncle.
by Susan Shaw
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In response to her mother's abuse, Suzie stops eating and talking. She is rescued by a beloved uncle.
Bloody Jack
by L. A. Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
An eighteenth century English orphan describes the “Great Deception” that results in her promotion to Midshipman. Exciting and funny.
by L. A. Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
An eighteenth century English orphan describes the “Great Deception” that results in her promotion to Midshipman. Exciting and funny.
Boston Jane
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Plucky and feisty Jane Peck makes her own way in the Washington Territory during the 1850s.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Plucky and feisty Jane Peck makes her own way in the Washington Territory during the 1850s.
Bronx Masquerade
by Nikki Gimes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Writing and reading aloud their own work helps Mr. Ward's high school students understand each other. A masterful blend of prose and poetry,
by Nikki Gimes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Writing and reading aloud their own work helps Mr. Ward's high school students understand each other. A masterful blend of prose and poetry,
Chaser
by Michael J. Rosen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In messages to his friends back in Ohio and to his sister in college, Chase raises moral and ethical questions concerning deer hunting.
by Michael J. Rosen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In messages to his friends back in Ohio and to his sister in college, Chase raises moral and ethical questions concerning deer hunting.
Cheating Lessons
by Nan Willard Cappo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Bernadette is elated that her high school has become a finalist in a state champioship literary quiz until she begins to suspect that somebody cheated.
by Nan Willard Cappo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Bernadette is elated that her high school has become a finalist in a state champioship literary quiz until she begins to suspect that somebody cheated.
Child X
by Lee Weatherly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A gripping tale of a family torn apart when the father leaves home for a mysterious reason.
by Lee Weatherly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A gripping tale of a family torn apart when the father leaves home for a mysterious reason.
Cold Fire
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Fourteen-year-old Daja uses her magic fire powers to combat arson while struggling with her feelings for the arsonist.
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Fourteen-year-old Daja uses her magic fire powers to combat arson while struggling with her feelings for the arsonist.
Crossing the Panther's Path
by Elizabeth Alder
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Fifteen-year-old Billy becomes an important aide to Tecumseh in his struggle to unite native tribes. Based on a true story.
by Elizabeth Alder
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Fifteen-year-old Billy becomes an important aide to Tecumseh in his struggle to unite native tribes. Based on a true story.
Dating Hamlet
by Lisa Fiedler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A clever take on Shakespeare's play with Ophelia as the lead--and a happy ending.
by Lisa Fiedler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A clever take on Shakespeare's play with Ophelia as the lead--and a happy ending.