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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On Pointe
by Lorie Ann Grover
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
The competative life of a talented young ballerina against the backdrop of her changing teenage body and family problems.
by Lorie Ann Grover
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
The competative life of a talented young ballerina against the backdrop of her changing teenage body and family problems.
Ostrich Eye
by Beth Cooley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Ginger's strained relationship with her mother leads her to identify a dangerous stranger as her long-lost father.
by Beth Cooley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Ginger's strained relationship with her mother leads her to identify a dangerous stranger as her long-lost father.
Our Secret, Siri Aang
by Christina Kessler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
A feisty Masai struggles with the transition into womanhood as her people's traditional ways are threatened.
by Christina Kessler
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
A feisty Masai struggles with the transition into womanhood as her people's traditional ways are threatened.
Perfect
by Natasha Friend
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Thirteen-year-old Isabelle has been binging and purging in secret. “Outed” by her sister, she begins group therapy and makes surprising discoveries and progress.
by Natasha Friend
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Thirteen-year-old Isabelle has been binging and purging in secret. “Outed” by her sister, she begins group therapy and makes surprising discoveries and progress.
Petals in the Ashes
by Mary Hooper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Hannah and her sister Sarah return to London after the devastating plague of 1666 only to face the great fire that almost destroys the city. Sequel to The Sign of the Sugared Plum.
by Mary Hooper
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Hannah and her sister Sarah return to London after the devastating plague of 1666 only to face the great fire that almost destroys the city. Sequel to The Sign of the Sugared Plum.
Private Peaceful
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
During world War I, fourteen-year-old Thomas lies about his age to enlist in the British army with his older brother---and faces life-changing harrowing experiences.
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
During world War I, fourteen-year-old Thomas lies about his age to enlist in the British army with his older brother---and faces life-changing harrowing experiences.
Rob & Sara.Com
by P.J. Petersen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Sara, whose best friend has cancer, and Rob, in a school for troubled teens, develop a supportive relationship via email.
by P.J. Petersen
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Sara, whose best friend has cancer, and Rob, in a school for troubled teens, develop a supportive relationship via email.
Rock Star Superstar
by Blake Nelson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Peter, an excellent guitar player, wants to be a Rock Star, however teenage life and his girl friend interfere. Great for teens interested in the music industry.
by Blake Nelson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Peter, an excellent guitar player, wants to be a Rock Star, however teenage life and his girl friend interfere. Great for teens interested in the music industry.
Saving Francesca
by Melina Marchetta
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Francesca has to adjust to a new high school, loss of old friends and her vibrant mother's nervous breakdown.
by Melina Marchetta
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Francesca has to adjust to a new high school, loss of old friends and her vibrant mother's nervous breakdown.
Sign of the Qin
by L.G. Bass
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
As powerful creatures from Chinese mythology are awakened, the Emperor's son and his outlaw guardians prepare to save the earth.
by L.G. Bass
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
As powerful creatures from Chinese mythology are awakened, the Emperor's son and his outlaw guardians prepare to save the earth.
Sister to the Wolf
by Maxine Trottier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
During unsettled times in early eighteenth century Canada, Cécile and Lesharo, a young Pawnee, develop a forbidden relationship
by Maxine Trottier
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
During unsettled times in early eighteenth century Canada, Cécile and Lesharo, a young Pawnee, develop a forbidden relationship
Sky
by Roderick Townley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
A fifteen-year-old finds himself through his music.
by Roderick Townley
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
A fifteen-year-old finds himself through his music.
So Hard to Say
by Alex Sanchez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
An eighth grade girl likes her classmate, but he doesn't like her that way! A look at adolescent attraction, friendship, self discovery and being gay.
by Alex Sanchez
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
An eighth grade girl likes her classmate, but he doesn't like her that way! A look at adolescent attraction, friendship, self discovery and being gay.
Tending to Grace
by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Abandoned by her mother, fourteen-year-old Cornelia learns to understand herself, her problems and the eccentric Aunt with whom she lives.
by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Abandoned by her mother, fourteen-year-old Cornelia learns to understand herself, her problems and the eccentric Aunt with whom she lives.
The Cup of the World
by John Dickinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Phaedra has her choice of suitors but when she selects her dream lover, she plunges her kingdom into war.
by John Dickinson
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Phaedra has her choice of suitors but when she selects her dream lover, she plunges her kingdom into war.
The Darkest Evening
by William Durbin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
In 1934, when Jake and his Finnish American family leave Minnesota for the Soviet Union, their dream of a better life becomes a nightmare.
by William Durbin
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
In 1934, when Jake and his Finnish American family leave Minnesota for the Soviet Union, their dream of a better life becomes a nightmare.
The Faery Reel
edited by Ellen Datlow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
An exceptional collection of contemporary fairy stories and poems from around the world. Well written and delightfully imaginative.
edited by Ellen Datlow
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
An exceptional collection of contemporary fairy stories and poems from around the world. Well written and delightfully imaginative.
The Fattening Hut
by Pat Lowery Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Helen prepares to marry following her culture's traditions until she learns that it includes the brutal practice of genital mutilation.
by Pat Lowery Collins
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Helen prepares to marry following her culture's traditions until she learns that it includes the brutal practice of genital mutilation.
The Fire-Eaters
by David Almond
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Under the specter of 1962's missile crisis, Bobby conquers fear and finds hope.
by David Almond
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Under the specter of 1962's missile crisis, Bobby conquers fear and finds hope.
The Heaven Shop
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
In Malawi, orphaned by AIDS, Binti and her two siblings separate, fend for themselves and endure extreme hardship until they are reunited.
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
In Malawi, orphaned by AIDS, Binti and her two siblings separate, fend for themselves and endure extreme hardship until they are reunited.
The Lost Voyage of John Cabot
by Henry Garfield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
John Cabot's voyages described by Sebastian, his son, depicting the intense rivalry of fifteenth-century exploration.
by Henry Garfield
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
John Cabot's voyages described by Sebastian, his son, depicting the intense rivalry of fifteenth-century exploration.
The Mob
by Clem Martini
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Avenging the death of a fledgling crow, Kyp organizes an attack on a cat--with disastrous results.
by Clem Martini
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Avenging the death of a fledgling crow, Kyp organizes an attack on a cat--with disastrous results.
The Safe-Keeper's Secret
by Sharon Shinn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Only the safe-keeper and her sister know the heritage of a foundling raised in the time of kings, witches, truthtellers and dream-makers.
by Sharon Shinn
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Only the safe-keeper and her sister know the heritage of a foundling raised in the time of kings, witches, truthtellers and dream-makers.
The Schwa Was Here
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Two eighth grade outsiders, Antsy and the Schwa, band to make their mark on a zany, unfeeling Brooklyn neighborhood.
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Two eighth grade outsiders, Antsy and the Schwa, band to make their mark on a zany, unfeeling Brooklyn neighborhood.
The Sea of Trolls
by Nancy Farmer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Apprenticed to a Druid bard, Jack is captured by Vikings and undertakes a quest to Jotunheim, home of the trolls.
by Nancy Farmer
Ages: 12+
Published: 2004
Apprenticed to a Druid bard, Jack is captured by Vikings and undertakes a quest to Jotunheim, home of the trolls.