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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Misfit in Love
S.K. Ali
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Janna, while helping to plan her brother's traditional Muslim wedding, bursting with guests and relatives, hopes to confess her feelings to her longtime crush.
S.K. Ali
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Janna, while helping to plan her brother's traditional Muslim wedding, bursting with guests and relatives, hopes to confess her feelings to her longtime crush.
Muted
Tami Charles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
The Angelic Voices, three brown girls, long for their R & B songs to change their lives. Powerful words propel the action as one, 17-year-old Denver, risks everything for fame.
Tami Charles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
The Angelic Voices, three brown girls, long for their R & B songs to change their lives. Powerful words propel the action as one, 17-year-old Denver, risks everything for fame.
Notes From a Young Black Chef: A Memoir (Adapted for Young Adults)
Kwame Onwuachi with Joshua David Stein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Onwuachi, with Nigerian, Southern and Caribbean roots, faced racism and poverty on his difficult journey from the Bronx to high cuisine restaurants. A frank memoir, includes recipes.
Kwame Onwuachi with Joshua David Stein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Onwuachi, with Nigerian, Southern and Caribbean roots, faced racism and poverty on his difficult journey from the Bronx to high cuisine restaurants. A frank memoir, includes recipes.
Not Here to Be Liked
Michelle Quach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Chinese American Eliza finds herself at the center of a schoolwide controversy over gender equality when her private outrage at being passed over for editor-in-chief of the Bugle becomes public.
Michelle Quach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Chinese American Eliza finds herself at the center of a schoolwide controversy over gender equality when her private outrage at being passed over for editor-in-chief of the Bugle becomes public.
No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves
Lee Wind
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Extensive primary sources enhance a breezy tone depicting the lives of many possible LBTQIA+ people throughout history. Photographs, letters, footnotes, and author's note.
Lee Wind
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Extensive primary sources enhance a breezy tone depicting the lives of many possible LBTQIA+ people throughout history. Photographs, letters, footnotes, and author's note.
One Great Lie
Deb Caletti
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Researching an ancestral poetess for a summer writing program in Venice with her favorite author, Charlotte learns how powerful men historically abused and silenced women, then experiences it herself.
Deb Caletti
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Researching an ancestral poetess for a summer writing program in Venice with her favorite author, Charlotte learns how powerful men historically abused and silenced women, then experiences it herself.
Ones We're Meant to Find, The
Joan He
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
In a future world on the brink of extinction due to environmental destruction, two sisters, Kasey and Celia Mizuhara, try to save humanity. Is it worth saving?
Joan He
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
In a future world on the brink of extinction due to environmental destruction, two sisters, Kasey and Celia Mizuhara, try to save humanity. Is it worth saving?
Other Merlin, The
Robyn Schneider
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Merlin's daughter replaces her magically-challenged brother as the apprentice wizard in Arthur's court. Rollicking humor, wry wit, and smoldering romance flourish amid political intrigues.
Robyn Schneider
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Merlin's daughter replaces her magically-challenged brother as the apprentice wizard in Arthur's court. Rollicking humor, wry wit, and smoldering romance flourish amid political intrigues.
Other Side of Perfect, The
Mariko Turk
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
After an injury ends her ballet career, Alina confronts previous racial discrimination she encountered in dance class. Joining the high school musical helps her discover new opportunities.
Mariko Turk
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
After an injury ends her ballet career, Alina confronts previous racial discrimination she encountered in dance class. Joining the high school musical helps her discover new opportunities.
Outlaws Scarlett and Browne (Outlaws series)
Jonathan Stroud
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Two misfits, with secrets of their own, team up to survive in a brutal, dystopian Britain where pursuit, danger, and death await any who do not conform.
Jonathan Stroud
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Two misfits, with secrets of their own, team up to survive in a brutal, dystopian Britain where pursuit, danger, and death await any who do not conform.
Passing Playbook, The
Isaac Fitzsimons
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
A soccer coach recruits Spencer, unaware that he's trans. Difficulty arises when his birth certificate is needed in order to participate.
Isaac Fitzsimons
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
A soccer coach recruits Spencer, unaware that he's trans. Difficulty arises when his birth certificate is needed in order to participate.
Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me, The Life of the Legendary Artist and Activist (adapted for Young Adults)
Martin Duberman, Foreword by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Singer and activist Robeson's magnetism and flaws are explored along with the accusations of Communism that brought his career to its knees. Photographs, video and recordings listed.
Martin Duberman, Foreword by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Singer and activist Robeson's magnetism and flaws are explored along with the accusations of Communism that brought his career to its knees. Photographs, video and recordings listed.
Phở Love Story, A
Loan Le
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Two Vietnamese/Californian high school seniors from rival family restaurant businesses find romance blossoming along with their gifts for writing and art.
Loan Le
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Two Vietnamese/Californian high school seniors from rival family restaurant businesses find romance blossoming along with their gifts for writing and art.
Power of Style, The: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim Cultures
Christian Allaire
Illustrator: Jacqueline Li
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Bright photographs illustrate fashion styles that are not mainstream. Emphasis on body shapes, body decoration, and crossdressing. Well sourced.
Christian Allaire
Illustrator: Jacqueline Li
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Bright photographs illustrate fashion styles that are not mainstream. Emphasis on body shapes, body decoration, and crossdressing. Well sourced.
Prepped
Bethany Mangle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Becca's family lives in a doomsday community. An arranged marriage looms after high school graduation, but Becca is planning a different life.
Bethany Mangle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Becca's family lives in a doomsday community. An arranged marriage looms after high school graduation, but Becca is planning a different life.
Problem with The Other Side, The
Kwame Ivery
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Sallie and Uly's love for one another is pitted against sibling loyalty as their sisters wage vitriolic campaigns for high school president.
Kwame Ivery
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Sallie and Uly's love for one another is pitted against sibling loyalty as their sisters wage vitriolic campaigns for high school president.
Rebel Daughter
Lori Banov Kaufmann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Esther, a high priest's daughter, challenging traditional Jewish female roles, faces loss, love, capture, and enslavement during the Roman siege of Jerusalem during the First Century CE. Well-referenced.
Lori Banov Kaufmann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Esther, a high priest's daughter, challenging traditional Jewish female roles, faces loss, love, capture, and enslavement during the Roman siege of Jerusalem during the First Century CE. Well-referenced.
Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People
Kekla Magoon
Illustrator: various
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Magoon illuminates the history of the Black Panther Party and its work to protect and support Black citizens, despite persecution by the FBI. Archival images and photos. Fully documented.
Kekla Magoon
Illustrator: various
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Magoon illuminates the history of the Black Panther Party and its work to protect and support Black citizens, despite persecution by the FBI. Archival images and photos. Fully documented.
Rosie Loves Jack
Mel Darbon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Rosie has Down's Syndrome but she is determined to reach her boyfriend, Jack. A snow storm shuts down the trains, leaving her alone and lost in London.
Mel Darbon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Rosie has Down's Syndrome but she is determined to reach her boyfriend, Jack. A snow storm shuts down the trains, leaving her alone and lost in London.
Rules for Being a Girl
Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
High school senior Marin, star student and co-editor of the school newspaper, is headed for the Ivy League until a disturbing event torpedoes her plans.
Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
High school senior Marin, star student and co-editor of the school newspaper, is headed for the Ivy League until a disturbing event torpedoes her plans.
She Drives Me Crazy
Kelly Quindlen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Scottie suffers an embarrassing basketball loss to her ex-girlfriend's team. Her revenge plans might require help from her nemesis, Irene.
Kelly Quindlen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Scottie suffers an embarrassing basketball loss to her ex-girlfriend's team. Her revenge plans might require help from her nemesis, Irene.
Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke, the First Openly Gay MLB Player and Inventor of the High Five
Andrew Maraniss
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
The promising career of the outfielder for the L.A. Dodgers and Oakland A's was cut short, largely because of anti-gay prejudice. Archival photos. Back matter.
Andrew Maraniss
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
The promising career of the outfielder for the L.A. Dodgers and Oakland A's was cut short, largely because of anti-gay prejudice. Archival photos. Back matter.
Sitting in St. James, A
Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
A chronicle of the terrible history of the Guilberts and the traumatic impact they had on the enslaved workers on their Louisiana plantation. Back matter.
Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
A chronicle of the terrible history of the Guilberts and the traumatic impact they had on the enslaved workers on their Louisiana plantation. Back matter.
Sky Blues, The
Robbie Couch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Openly gay high school senior, Sky Baker, battles internal and external demons in a Michigan small town, after a promposal goes awry.
Robbie Couch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
Openly gay high school senior, Sky Baker, battles internal and external demons in a Michigan small town, after a promposal goes awry.
Snake Falls to Earth, A
Darcie Little Badger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
When a cataclysmic event on Earth happens, the real world of Nina, a Lipan Apache teen, and the spirit world of Oli, a cottonmouth, are brought together with strange results.
Darcie Little Badger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2021
When a cataclysmic event on Earth happens, the real world of Nina, a Lipan Apache teen, and the spirit world of Oli, a cottonmouth, are brought together with strange results.