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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Fast Pitch
Nic Stone
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Shenice, captain of a pioneering all-Black softball team, is determined to clear her great-grandfather's name and restore him to his rightful place in baseball history. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Nic Stone
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Shenice, captain of a pioneering all-Black softball team, is determined to clear her great-grandfather's name and restore him to his rightful place in baseball history. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Finding Refuge: Real-Life Immigration Stories from Young People
Victorya Rouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Rouse's ESL students wrote these affecting stories of difficult situations around the world and their families' decisions to come to the U.S. Explanatory matter. Black-and-white photos.
Victorya Rouse
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Rouse's ESL students wrote these affecting stories of difficult situations around the world and their families' decisions to come to the U.S. Explanatory matter. Black-and-white photos.
Fire with Fire
Destiny Soria
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Two Mexican-American sisters are on opposite sides of a war between humans and dragons. That is, until a more dangerous enemy presents itself.
Destiny Soria
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Two Mexican-American sisters are on opposite sides of a war between humans and dragons. That is, until a more dangerous enemy presents itself.
Flight of the Puffin
Ann Braden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Seventh-grader Libby creates inspiring postcards that reach three middle schoolers across the country. Whether it's about bullying, homelessness, or grief, the connection helps each feel supported. Four voices.
Ann Braden
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Seventh-grader Libby creates inspiring postcards that reach three middle schoolers across the country. Whether it's about bullying, homelessness, or grief, the connection helps each feel supported. Four voices.
Frankie & Bug
Gayle Forman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1987 Venice, California, Bug's brother has no time for her. But with new friend Frankie, she solves a mystery and deals with issues of identity.
Gayle Forman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1987 Venice, California, Bug's brother has no time for her. But with new friend Frankie, she solves a mystery and deals with issues of identity.
Freedom Swimmer
Wai Chim
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
After famine kills his parents during the harsh reign of Chairman Mao, Ming, surviving as a field worker, bonds with Li, a city boy brought to his village to be "re-educated."
Wai Chim
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
After famine kills his parents during the harsh reign of Chairman Mao, Ming, surviving as a field worker, bonds with Li, a city boy brought to his village to be "re-educated."
Fungarium
David L. Hawksworth, Laura M. Suz, Pepijn W. Kooij, Kare Liimatainen, Tom Prescott, Lee Davies, and Ester Gaya
Illustrator: Katie Scott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
How life on Earth depends on fungi, organisms more closely related to animals than to plants. Lush botanical illustrations, index, resources.
David L. Hawksworth, Laura M. Suz, Pepijn W. Kooij, Kare Liimatainen, Tom Prescott, Lee Davies, and Ester Gaya
Illustrator: Katie Scott
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
How life on Earth depends on fungi, organisms more closely related to animals than to plants. Lush botanical illustrations, index, resources.
Golden Hour, The
Niki Smith
Illustrator: Niki Smith
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In a farming community, steadfast friends and a creative outlet - photography - help Manuel process trauma, following a school shooting he witnessed. Vivid illustrations, archival photographs, PTSD resources.
Niki Smith
Illustrator: Niki Smith
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In a farming community, steadfast friends and a creative outlet - photography - help Manuel process trauma, following a school shooting he witnessed. Vivid illustrations, archival photographs, PTSD resources.
Himawari House
Harmony Becker
Illustrator: Harmony Becker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A multinational group of roommates attending a Japanese language institute explore friendship, romance, and cultural identity. Multilingual text throughout. Illustrations mix realistic and manga conventions.
Harmony Becker
Illustrator: Harmony Becker
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A multinational group of roommates attending a Japanese language institute explore friendship, romance, and cultural identity. Multilingual text throughout. Illustrations mix realistic and manga conventions.
Hollow Chest
Brita Sandstrom
Illustrator: Dadu Shin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When Charlie's brother comes home from the war, he is not the same. Charlie embarks on a quest to find his brother's heart, eaten by mysterious wolves. Delicate full-page black-and-white illustrations.
Brita Sandstrom
Illustrator: Dadu Shin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When Charlie's brother comes home from the war, he is not the same. Charlie embarks on a quest to find his brother's heart, eaten by mysterious wolves. Delicate full-page black-and-white illustrations.
Hothouse Earth: The Climate Crisis and the Importance of Carbon Neutrality
Stephanie Sammartino McPherson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Highlights the work of scientists and environmental activists around the world enabling understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change. Source notes, photos, charts, maps.
Stephanie Sammartino McPherson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Highlights the work of scientists and environmental activists around the world enabling understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change. Source notes, photos, charts, maps.
How Do You Live?
GenzaburÅ Yoshino
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A fatherless 15-year-old Japanese boy experiences friendship and betrayal, self-discovery, and reflection while discussing values, ethics, Copernicus, Newton, Napoleon, and Buddha with his uncle.
GenzaburÅ Yoshino
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
A fatherless 15-year-old Japanese boy experiences friendship and betrayal, self-discovery, and reflection while discussing values, ethics, Copernicus, Newton, Napoleon, and Buddha with his uncle.
How to Become a Planet
Nicole Melleby
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Fighting her diagnosis of depression and anxiety, Pluto rejects the help of most people as she tries to find some acceptance within herself.
Nicole Melleby
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Fighting her diagnosis of depression and anxiety, Pluto rejects the help of most people as she tries to find some acceptance within herself.
How to Find What You're Not Looking For
Veena Hiranandani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1967 when Ariel Goldberg's Jewish parents oppose her big sister Leah's plan to marry a man from India, the older girl disappears.
Veena Hiranandani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
In 1967 when Ariel Goldberg's Jewish parents oppose her big sister Leah's plan to marry a man from India, the older girl disappears.
In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks
Don Brown
Illustrator: Don Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Pen, ink, and digital paint illustrations provide details from 9/11 survivors that allow this tragedy become understandable as more than just a date in history. Extensive back matter.
Don Brown
Illustrator: Don Brown
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Pen, ink, and digital paint illustrations provide details from 9/11 survivors that allow this tragedy become understandable as more than just a date in history. Extensive back matter.
It All Begins with Jelly Beans
Nova Weetman
Illustrator: Federica Frenna
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Riley, a type 1 diabetic, adjusting to a new school, and Meg. dealing with her widowed mother's deep depression. meet in the school nurse's offfice. Can they forge a friendship? Black-and-white spot art.
Nova Weetman
Illustrator: Federica Frenna
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Riley, a type 1 diabetic, adjusting to a new school, and Meg. dealing with her widowed mother's deep depression. meet in the school nurse's offfice. Can they forge a friendship? Black-and-white spot art.
Jude Banks, Superhero
Ann Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When his beloved sister dies, 12-year-old Jude and his parents are submerged in grief. Jude also struggles with a terrible secret: he believes he killed Katie.
Ann Hood
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When his beloved sister dies, 12-year-old Jude and his parents are submerged in grief. Jude also struggles with a terrible secret: he believes he killed Katie.
Jukebox
Nidhi Chanani
Illustrator: Nidhi Chanani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Bangladeshi American Shaheen's music-obsessed dad is missing. Using a magical jukebox, Shaheen and her cousin time-travel to legendary concerts to find him. Vibrant digital art.
Nidhi Chanani
Illustrator: Nidhi Chanani
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Bangladeshi American Shaheen's music-obsessed dad is missing. Using a magical jukebox, Shaheen and her cousin time-travel to legendary concerts to find him. Vibrant digital art.
Kind of Spark, A
Elle McNicoll
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Eleven-year-old Addie fights to get her Scottish village board to memorialize local women who, centuries before, had been persecuted as witches. Could they have been autistic like her?
Elle McNicoll
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Eleven-year-old Addie fights to get her Scottish village board to memorialize local women who, centuries before, had been persecuted as witches. Could they have been autistic like her?
Leak, The: For the Love of Truth
Kate Reed Petty
Illustrator: Andrea Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When 12-year-old Ruth discovers a toxic substance in her neighborhood lake, she uses her investigative journalist skills to uncover the source. Bright graphic illustrations.
Kate Reed Petty
Illustrator: Andrea Bell
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
When 12-year-old Ruth discovers a toxic substance in her neighborhood lake, she uses her investigative journalist skills to uncover the source. Bright graphic illustrations.
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance
Nikki Grimes
Illustrator: Various
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Utilizing the golden shovel poetic form, Grimes creates contemporary poetry using lines borrowed from women's poetry written during the Harlem Renaissance. Bold stylized illustrations.
Nikki Grimes
Illustrator: Various
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Utilizing the golden shovel poetic form, Grimes creates contemporary poetry using lines borrowed from women's poetry written during the Harlem Renaissance. Bold stylized illustrations.
Legend of Auntie Po, The
Shing Yin Khor
Illustrator: Shing Yin Khor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Mei, 13, narrates life in an 1885 logging camp using Paul Bunyan stories with Chinese matriarch Auntie Po as protagonist. Bold digital pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Shing Yin Khor
Illustrator: Shing Yin Khor
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Mei, 13, narrates life in an 1885 logging camp using Paul Bunyan stories with Chinese matriarch Auntie Po as protagonist. Bold digital pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Legend of Hobart, The
Heather Mullaly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Bullied, beleaguered Hobart needs to perform heroic deeds to be eligible to be nominated to knight's school; he hurriedly sets out to prove himself worthy. But what is heroism?
Heather Mullaly
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Bullied, beleaguered Hobart needs to perform heroic deeds to be eligible to be nominated to knight's school; he hurriedly sets out to prove himself worthy. But what is heroism?
Leonard: My Life as a Cat
Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Leonard, an alien, is sent to earth for a sabbatical, but in a mixup, he arrives as a cat in need of rescue. Eleven-year-old Olive finds him.
Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Leonard, an alien, is sent to earth for a sabbatical, but in a mixup, he arrives as a cat in need of rescue. Eleven-year-old Olive finds him.
Living Ghosts & Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories
Dan Sasuweh Jones
Illustrator: Weshoyot Alvitre
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Thirty-two shivery tales, both contemporary and traditional, reflecting the diversity of Native American folklore. Sketchy line art; detailed background and sources.
Dan Sasuweh Jones
Illustrator: Weshoyot Alvitre
Ages: 12+
Published: 2021
Thirty-two shivery tales, both contemporary and traditional, reflecting the diversity of Native American folklore. Sketchy line art; detailed background and sources.