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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
The Great Ships
by Patrick O'Brien
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
One thousand years of seafaring navigational history featuring seventeen ships, some better known than others.
by Patrick O'Brien
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
One thousand years of seafaring navigational history featuring seventeen ships, some better known than others.
The Ropemaker
by Peter Dickinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A chosen few journey to save their Valley from unspeakable evil.
by Peter Dickinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A chosen few journey to save their Valley from unspeakable evil.
The Seeing Stone
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
In this first installment of a trilogy, young Arthur, seeing the legendary Arthur in Merlin's stone, comes to understand his own life in 1199.
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
In this first installment of a trilogy, young Arthur, seeing the legendary Arthur in Merlin's stone, comes to understand his own life in 1199.
Troy
by Adele Geras
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
War-weary Troy in the last weeks of the siege is observed by two orphan sisters under Hector's protection. Enthralling.
by Adele Geras
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
War-weary Troy in the last weeks of the siege is observed by two orphan sisters under Hector's protection. Enthralling.
True Believer
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Living in the inner city, fifteen-year-old LaVaughn relates how she learns to cope with all sorts of obstacles as she moves toward her goal of “getting out.” Sequel to “Make Lemonade.”
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Living in the inner city, fifteen-year-old LaVaughn relates how she learns to cope with all sorts of obstacles as she moves toward her goal of “getting out.” Sequel to “Make Lemonade.”
Under a War-Torn Sky
by L.M. Elliott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A young pilot, forced down behind enemy lines, survives with the aid of the French Resistance. Vivid and powerful.
by L.M. Elliott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
A young pilot, forced down behind enemy lines, survives with the aid of the French Resistance. Vivid and powerful.
Whale Talk
by Chris Crutcher
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Determined to subvert his high school's over-emphasis on competative sports, T.J. Jones helps a group of misfits become a swim team. Provocative and intense.
by Chris Crutcher
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Determined to subvert his high school's over-emphasis on competative sports, T.J. Jones helps a group of misfits become a swim team. Provocative and intense.
Witch Child
by Celia Rees
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Mary newbury's diary of seventeenth century prejudice in New England. Spellbinding.
by Celia Rees
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
Mary newbury's diary of seventeenth century prejudice in New England. Spellbinding.
You Don't Know Me
by David Klass
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
John, the fourteen-year-old victim of a brutal stepfather, is a model of fortitude, sensitivity and survival. Surprisingly funny treatment of a serious subject.
by David Klass
Ages: 12+
Published: 2001
John, the fourteen-year-old victim of a brutal stepfather, is a model of fortitude, sensitivity and survival. Surprisingly funny treatment of a serious subject.
After Hamelin
by Bill Richardson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
A 101-year-old woman recounts how she journeyed to save the children enchanted by the Pied Piper.
by Bill Richardson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
A 101-year-old woman recounts how she journeyed to save the children enchanted by the Pied Piper.
Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Compelling story of twelve-year-old Luke in a futuristic world where third children are not permitted to exist. (12+)M
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Compelling story of twelve-year-old Luke in a futuristic world where third children are not permitted to exist. (12+)M
Battle Dress
by Amy Efaw
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Andi is not sure she can survive the extreme emotional and physical challenges of training at West Point.
by Amy Efaw
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Andi is not sure she can survive the extreme emotional and physical challenges of training at West Point.
Beast
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
A powerful re-imagining of the familiar tale includes the Beast's origins, his “bestiality” and his eventual redemption by Belle.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
A powerful re-imagining of the familiar tale includes the Beast's origins, his “bestiality” and his eventual redemption by Belle.
Blueprint
by Charlotte Kerner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Jealousy and hostility replace shared traits as the relationship of a young clone and her mother/twin develops. Provocative and disturbing.
by Charlotte Kerner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Jealousy and hostility replace shared traits as the relationship of a young clone and her mother/twin develops. Provocative and disturbing.
Carolina Autumn
by Carol Lynch Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Still numb from the tragic death of her sister and father, Carolina can hardly summon up the strength to hold onto a boy who loves her.
by Carol Lynch Williams
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Still numb from the tragic death of her sister and father, Carolina can hardly summon up the strength to hold onto a boy who loves her.
Cut
by Patricia McCormick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Fifteen-year-old Callie starts to resolve the difficulties that lead her to hurt herself.
by Patricia McCormick
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Fifteen-year-old Callie starts to resolve the difficulties that lead her to hurt herself.
Dancing with an Alien
by Mary Logue
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Seventeen-year-old Tonia feels unattractive and unlovable until she meets Branko, a handsome boy who seems “different.” A story of first love and sacrifice.
by Mary Logue
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Seventeen-year-old Tonia feels unattractive and unlovable until she meets Branko, a handsome boy who seems “different.” A story of first love and sacrifice.
David v. God
by Mary E. Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Class clown David's way back to earth from heaven involves a debate with God during which he comes to certain realizations about himself and others. Odd and moving.
by Mary E. Pearson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Class clown David's way back to earth from heaven involves a debate with God during which he comes to certain realizations about himself and others. Odd and moving.
Death at Devil's Bridge
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
On Martha's Vineyard, a thirteen-year-old boy discovers a sunken car in the ocean and contends with peer pressure and his conscience.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
On Martha's Vineyard, a thirteen-year-old boy discovers a sunken car in the ocean and contends with peer pressure and his conscience.
Drawing Lessons
by Tracy Mack
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
When her parents separate, an artistic seventh grader copes with the loss of the father with whom she shared her love of art.
by Tracy Mack
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
When her parents separate, an artistic seventh grader copes with the loss of the father with whom she shared her love of art.
Eight Seconds
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
At rodeo camp in a culture where being gay is practically incomprehensible, John finds himself attracted to another young man.
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
At rodeo camp in a culture where being gay is practically incomprehensible, John finds himself attracted to another young man.
Forgotten Fire
by Adam Bagdasarian
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Emerging barely alive after the loss of his entire family in the Armenian massacre of 1915, a thirteen-year-old boy wills himself to escape from Turkey.
by Adam Bagdasarian
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Emerging barely alive after the loss of his entire family in the Armenian massacre of 1915, a thirteen-year-old boy wills himself to escape from Turkey.
Gathering Blue
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
After her mother's death, Kira finds herself in a violent, futuristic society, and is saved by the Guardians because of her weaving skills.
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
After her mother's death, Kira finds herself in a violent, futuristic society, and is saved by the Guardians because of her weaving skills.
Holding Up the Earth
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Reading the diaries and letters of pioneer Nebraska women, a fourteen-year-old foster child realizes that she doesn't have the corner on suffering.
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Reading the diaries and letters of pioneer Nebraska women, a fourteen-year-old foster child realizes that she doesn't have the corner on suffering.
Hope Was Here
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Sixteen-year-old Hope and her aunt become involved in local Wisconsin politics as newcomers working in the town diner.
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2000
Sixteen-year-old Hope and her aunt become involved in local Wisconsin politics as newcomers working in the town diner.