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 Kite Rider
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
An exciting story of loyalty and bravery set against a background of superstition, greed and revenge in Kubla Khan's China.
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
An exciting story of loyalty and bravery set against a background of superstition, greed and revenge in Kubla Khan's China.
The Land
by Mildred D. Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In this prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, fourteen-year-old multi-racial Paul-Edward works for his dream of owning land.
by Mildred D. Taylor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
In this prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, fourteen-year-old multi-racial Paul-Edward works for his dream of owning land.
The Long Night of Leo and Bree
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A distraught boy kidnaps and takes a wealthy girl hostage, intending to kill her. A long night together helps both face their futures.
by Ellen Wittlinger
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A distraught boy kidnaps and takes a wealthy girl hostage, intending to kill her. A long night together helps both face their futures.
The Rainbow Kite
by Marlene Fanta Shyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Twelve-year-old Matthew tries to understand his older brother's struggle with his homosexuality as they both deal with the intolerance of others.
by Marlene Fanta Shyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Twelve-year-old Matthew tries to understand his older brother's struggle with his homosexuality as they both deal with the intolerance of others.
The Sight
by David Clement-Davies
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A wolf with a strange gift sets the pack on a search to determine its meaning for both man and beast.
by David Clement-Davies
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
A wolf with a strange gift sets the pack on a search to determine its meaning for both man and beast.
The True Prince
by J. B. Cheaney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Intrigue swirls through Shakespeare's theater company. Thoroughly researched.
by J. B. Cheaney
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Intrigue swirls through Shakespeare's theater company. Thoroughly researched.
The Xenocide Mission
by Ben Jeapes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
The efforts of a young hero and his alien sidekick to save the earth.
by Ben Jeapes
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
The efforts of a young hero and his alien sidekick to save the earth.
Thursday's Child
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Harper's troubled family struggles to survive on a farm during the Great Depression while coping with strange little Tin who tunnels underground.
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Harper's troubled family struggles to survive on a farm during the Great Depression while coping with strange little Tin who tunnels underground.
When My Name Was Keoko
by Linda Sue Park
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Sun-hee and her family suffer tremendous hardships and humiliation.
by Linda Sue Park
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Sun-hee and her family suffer tremendous hardships and humiliation.
Wolf on the Fold
by Judith Clarke
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Several generations of an Australian family in thoughtful, compelling vignettes.
by Judith Clarke
Ages: 12+
Published: 2002
Several generations of an Australian family in thoughtful, compelling vignettes.
A Group of One
by Rachna Gilmore
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A visit from a grandmother from India causes Tara to reexamine her own heritage and questions about her Canadian status. An honest and tender look at family relationships.
by Rachna Gilmore
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A visit from a grandmother from India causes Tara to reexamine her own heritage and questions about her Canadian status. An honest and tender look at family relationships.
A Hole in the World
by Sid Hite
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
After he is caught lying for a friend, fifteen-year-old Paul's parents send him to spend the summer with relatives in rural Virginia.
by Sid Hite
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
After he is caught lying for a friend, fifteen-year-old Paul's parents send him to spend the summer with relatives in rural Virginia.
Amandine
by Adele Griffin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
New to her high school, a lonely girl is drawn into a troubling and dangerous friendship with charismatic Amandine.
by Adele Griffin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
New to her high school, a lonely girl is drawn into a troubling and dangerous friendship with charismatic Amandine.
A Matter of Profit
by Hilari Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Soldier and member of the Vivitare people, Ahvren hopes to give up war and save his sister by uncovering the plot to assassinate the emperor.
by Hilari Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Soldier and member of the Vivitare people, Ahvren hopes to give up war and save his sister by uncovering the plot to assassinate the emperor.
A Step from Heaven
by An Na
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Young Ju, a Korean immigrant, details the joys and difficulties of adapting to life in the United States.
by An Na
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Young Ju, a Korean immigrant, details the joys and difficulties of adapting to life in the United States.
Beauty and the Serpent
by Barbara Ann Porte
Illustrator: Rosemary Feit Covey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Ms. Drumm, the school librarian, tells tales with a supernatural twist.
by Barbara Ann Porte
Illustrator: Rosemary Feit Covey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Ms. Drumm, the school librarian, tells tales with a supernatural twist.
Being Dead
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Well told and chilling, seven stories which will both frighten and amuse.
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Well told and chilling, seven stories which will both frighten and amuse.
Beware, Princess Elizabeth
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A captivating first person account of the political intrigue during the adolescence of Elizabeth the First of England.
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A captivating first person account of the political intrigue during the adolescence of Elizabeth the First of England.
Boston Jane
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Feisty Miss Jane Peck exhibits grit and determination enduring a sea voyage and living among western traders and Chinook Indians.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Feisty Miss Jane Peck exhibits grit and determination enduring a sea voyage and living among western traders and Chinook Indians.
Breaking Through
by Francisco Jiménez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
An immigrant Mexican's struggle to be educated while fighting poverty and prejudice. Sequel to “The Circuit.”
by Francisco Jiménez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
An immigrant Mexican's struggle to be educated while fighting poverty and prejudice. Sequel to “The Circuit.”
Brothers in Valor
by Michael O. Tunnell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
The consequences of both harmless talk and genuine subversive activity in Nazi Germany. Realistic and disturbing.
by Michael O. Tunnell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
The consequences of both harmless talk and genuine subversive activity in Nazi Germany. Realistic and disturbing.
Cirque Du Freak
by Darren Shan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Darren and his friend begin a frightening adventure in the dark world of vampires.
by Darren Shan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Darren and his friend begin a frightening adventure in the dark world of vampires.
Daniel's Walk
by Michael Spooner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
As he searches for his fur-trader father in 1844, fourteen-year-old Daniel faces danger on the Oregon Trail.
by Michael Spooner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
As he searches for his fur-trader father in 1844, fourteen-year-old Daniel faces danger on the Oregon Trail.
Equinox
by Monte Killingsworth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Anguished at the prospect of leaving her island home, Autumn starts a journal and finds that family relationships are not what they seemed.
by Monte Killingsworth
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Anguished at the prospect of leaving her island home, Autumn starts a journal and finds that family relationships are not what they seemed.
Fiddleback
by Elizabeth Honey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Mysterious events challenge three families, an older neighbor, five kids and a dachshund on their camping trip in a magical, remote area in Australia.
by Elizabeth Honey
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Mysterious events challenge three families, an older neighbor, five kids and a dachshund on their camping trip in a magical, remote area in Australia.