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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Renegade Reporters, The
Elissa Brent Weissman
Illustrator: Dial Books
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Three middle-school journalists discover that the company providing the school district's media software is secretly collecting students' personal data to sell to advertisers.
Elissa Brent Weissman
Illustrator: Dial Books
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Three middle-school journalists discover that the company providing the school district's media software is secretly collecting students' personal data to sell to advertisers.
Republic of Birds, The
Jessica Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When 12-year-old Olga's family is exiled from the capital of Tsaretsvo, she is happy to escape the city, until her sister is kidnapped.
Jessica Miller
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When 12-year-old Olga's family is exiled from the capital of Tsaretsvo, she is happy to escape the city, until her sister is kidnapped.
Robert Smalls (Tales of the Talented Tenth series)
Joel Christian Gill
Illustrator: Joel Christian Gill
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1862 an enslaved African American man, who was an experienced sailor and expert navigator, smuggled 13 compatriots to freedom by commandeering a Confederate supply ship. Evocative period illustrations.
Joel Christian Gill
Illustrator: Joel Christian Gill
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1862 an enslaved African American man, who was an experienced sailor and expert navigator, smuggled 13 compatriots to freedom by commandeering a Confederate supply ship. Evocative period illustrations.
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Heumann, paralyzed at 18 months after falling ill with polio, engages in an inspiring lifelong fight for people with disabilities to be treated as equal citizens.
Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Heumann, paralyzed at 18 months after falling ill with polio, engages in an inspiring lifelong fight for people with disabilities to be treated as equal citizens.
Ruta Sepetys Between Shades of Gray: The Graphic Novel
Adapted by Andrew Donkin
Illustrator: Dave Kopka, color by Brann Livesay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1941, Lina, 15, and her family are arrested by the Soviet secret police and sent to Siberia. Their crime: they are Lithuanian. Detailed full color illustrations.
Adapted by Andrew Donkin
Illustrator: Dave Kopka, color by Brann Livesay
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1941, Lina, 15, and her family are arrested by the Soviet secret police and sent to Siberia. Their crime: they are Lithuanian. Detailed full color illustrations.
Samira Surfs
Rukhsanna Guidroz
Illustrator: Fahmida Azim
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Forced to flee Myanmar (Burma), a Rohingya family rebuilds their lives as refugees in Bangladesh. Surfing provides friends and empowerment. Free verse. Stark black-and-white illustrations. Back matter.
Rukhsanna Guidroz
Illustrator: Fahmida Azim
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Forced to flee Myanmar (Burma), a Rohingya family rebuilds their lives as refugees in Bangladesh. Surfing provides friends and empowerment. Free verse. Stark black-and-white illustrations. Back matter.
Samosa Rebellion, The
Shanthi Sekaran
Illustrator: Shehzil Malik
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In Mariposa, where Whites refer to themselves as “Butterflies” and to people of color as “Moths," Latinx and Asian residents join a besieged Indian family as they struggle to maintain their lives in the community. Black-and-white spot art.
Shanthi Sekaran
Illustrator: Shehzil Malik
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In Mariposa, where Whites refer to themselves as “Butterflies” and to people of color as “Moths," Latinx and Asian residents join a besieged Indian family as they struggle to maintain their lives in the community. Black-and-white spot art.
Sea-Ringed World, The: Sacred Stories of the Americas
María García Esperón
Illustrator: Amanda Mijangos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Stories originating before Europeans came to the shores of North and South America. Striking digital, black, white, and blue illustrations. Excellent backmatter.
María García Esperón
Illustrator: Amanda Mijangos
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Stories originating before Europeans came to the shores of North and South America. Striking digital, black, white, and blue illustrations. Excellent backmatter.
Second Sleep
Diane Stanley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
At their grandmother's cabin by the lake, Max and Rosie start to have identical dreams that contain clues to their mother's past and disappearance.
Diane Stanley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
At their grandmother's cabin by the lake, Max and Rosie start to have identical dreams that contain clues to their mother's past and disappearance.
Secret Life of Kitty Granger, The
G.D. Falksen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
An autistic teen with uncanny observational and puzzle solving skills is recruited by a spy organization to help foil a fascist coup in 1960s London.
G.D. Falksen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
An autistic teen with uncanny observational and puzzle solving skills is recruited by a spy organization to help foil a fascist coup in 1960s London.
Secret Starling, The
Judith Eagle
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
An abandoned ballet slipper found in Braithwaite Manor leads Clara and her new friend Peter to revelations about her family's sinister secrets. Black-and-white full page illustrations.
Judith Eagle
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
An abandoned ballet slipper found in Braithwaite Manor leads Clara and her new friend Peter to revelations about her family's sinister secrets. Black-and-white full page illustrations.
Separate No More: the Long Road to Brown v. Board of Education
Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A meticulous, step-by-step account of the incremental progress fighting against racial segregation in the U.S. is enlivened by related photographs.
Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A meticulous, step-by-step account of the incremental progress fighting against racial segregation in the U.S. is enlivened by related photographs.
Seventh Raven, The
David Elliott
Illustrator: Rovina Cai
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When his daughter is born dying, a father curses his seven sons, who turn into ravens. Haunting black-and-white illustrations. Back matter on the varied poetic forms used.
David Elliott
Illustrator: Rovina Cai
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When his daughter is born dying, a father curses his seven sons, who turn into ravens. Haunting black-and-white illustrations. Back matter on the varied poetic forms used.
Shape of Thunder, The
Jasmine Warga
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Before Cora's sister was killed by Quinn's brother in a school shooting, Cora and Quinn were best friends. Can they time-travel to prevent the tragedy?
Jasmine Warga
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Before Cora's sister was killed by Quinn's brother in a school shooting, Cora and Quinn were best friends. Can they time-travel to prevent the tragedy?
Soft Place to Land, A
Janae Marks
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Financial problems force African American Joy, 12, and her family to move from a much-loved home into a small apartment in a new area where they start a dog-walking business. Then one dog runs away.
Janae Marks
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Financial problems force African American Joy, 12, and her family to move from a much-loved home into a small apartment in a new area where they start a dog-walking business. Then one dog runs away.
Soul Lanterns
Shaw Kuzki
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In Hiroshima every August 6th people float paper lanterns down the river, each one commemorating someone they've lost. Nozomi's mother always leaves one lantern unnamed. Whose could it be?
Shaw Kuzki
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In Hiroshima every August 6th people float paper lanterns down the river, each one commemorating someone they've lost. Nozomi's mother always leaves one lantern unnamed. Whose could it be?
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame
Supriya Kelkar
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1857 colonial India, child-bride Meera flees her home to escape a cruel custom. Then, as a servant to a British official, she realizes she has traded one form of subservience for another and fights back. Historical notes, time line, glossary.
Supriya Kelkar
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1857 colonial India, child-bride Meera flees her home to escape a cruel custom. Then, as a servant to a British official, she realizes she has traded one form of subservience for another and fights back. Historical notes, time line, glossary.
Summer of Brave
Amy Noelle Parks
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Compliant Lilla has always done what her competitive, bickering, divorced parents wanted, but they have conflicting visions for her future. How can she forge a path for herself?
Amy Noelle Parks
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Compliant Lilla has always done what her competitive, bickering, divorced parents wanted, but they have conflicting visions for her future. How can she forge a path for herself?
Sunny Days Inside: And Other Stories
Caroline Adderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Children develop unexpected friendships as they deal with the frustrations and challenges of being cooped up in their apartments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Caroline Adderson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Children develop unexpected friendships as they deal with the frustrations and challenges of being cooped up in their apartments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sylvie
Sylvie Kantorovitz
Illustrator: Sylvie Kantorovitz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Silvie's joyful childhood, living in the French school where her father was principal, gave her the tools to pursue art and carve her own life path. Cartoon-style art.
Sylvie Kantorovitz
Illustrator: Sylvie Kantorovitz
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Silvie's joyful childhood, living in the French school where her father was principal, gave her the tools to pursue art and carve her own life path. Cartoon-style art.
Temple Alley Summer
Sachiko Kashiwaba
Illustrator: Miho Satake
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Fifth grader Kazu realizes the new girl in his class is a spirit, whose existence is threatened by local elders. What should he do? Evocative spot illustrations.
Sachiko Kashiwaba
Illustrator: Miho Satake
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Fifth grader Kazu realizes the new girl in his class is a spirit, whose existence is threatened by local elders. What should he do? Evocative spot illustrations.
Thanks a Lot, Universe
Chad Lucas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Brian's family's breakup does nothing to help his social anxiety. Fellow basketball team member Ezra reaches out a hand in friendship, or maybe more.
Chad Lucas
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Brian's family's breakup does nothing to help his social anxiety. Fellow basketball team member Ezra reaches out a hand in friendship, or maybe more.
This is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them and Us
Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby, Eds.
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A unique collection of stories, including a few in graphic format, with diverse characters, most at the beginning of adolescence, exploring their gender and sexual identity.
Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby, Eds.
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A unique collection of stories, including a few in graphic format, with diverse characters, most at the beginning of adolescence, exploring their gender and sexual identity.
Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World
Uma Krishnaswami
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
The comparison of the lives and approaches of these champions of nonviolent struggle illuminates the influences they had on their countries and the world. Photographs. Glossary, sources.
Uma Krishnaswami
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
The comparison of the lives and approaches of these champions of nonviolent struggle illuminates the influences they had on their countries and the world. Photographs. Glossary, sources.
Treasure of the World
Tara Sullivan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Ana, 12, yearns to leave the Bolivian silver mine where her family works. A mining accident forces her to confront her fears and make dangerous choices.
Tara Sullivan
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Ana, 12, yearns to leave the Bolivian silver mine where her family works. A mining accident forces her to confront her fears and make dangerous choices.