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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Black Flamingo, The
Dean Atta
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Cypriot, Jamaican, and gay, Michael journeys from painful childhood to empowered manhood. In free verse.
Dean Atta
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Cypriot, Jamaican, and gay, Michael journeys from painful childhood to empowered manhood. In free verse.
Black Friend, The: On Being a Better White Person
Frederick Joseph
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author details race-related experiences from his youth, weaving interviews with artists and activists, to help develop readers' capacity to be racial justice accomplices. Rich back matter.
Frederick Joseph
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author details race-related experiences from his youth, weaving interviews with artists and activists, to help develop readers' capacity to be racial justice accomplices. Rich back matter.
Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard
Echo Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Growing up in Cleveland, Echo is determined to "rise" even as her crack-cocaine addicted mother struggles to stay alive. Are they really both wizards?
Echo Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Growing up in Cleveland, Echo is determined to "rise" even as her crack-cocaine addicted mother struggles to stay alive. Are they really both wizards?
Black Kids, The
Christina Hammonds Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Wealthy African American Ashley Bennett goes on a journey of self-discovery as rioting flares up in Los Angeles following the Rodney King beating case.
Christina Hammonds Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Wealthy African American Ashley Bennett goes on a journey of self-discovery as rioting flares up in Los Angeles following the Rodney King beating case.
Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle against Wounds and Disease (Medical Fiascoes series)
Gail Jarrow
Illustrator: Archival photography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Numerous diseases that killed more soldiers than bullets are described with in-person accounts and photos of the fighters, doctors, and nurses affected. Supportive back matter.
Gail Jarrow
Illustrator: Archival photography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Numerous diseases that killed more soldiers than bullets are described with in-person accounts and photos of the fighters, doctors, and nurses affected. Supportive back matter.
Blood Moon
Lucy Cuthew
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The intersection of burgeoning sexual curiosity, menstruation, and online shaming form the backdrop for this fast-paced novel that could encourage teens to reexamine their preconceptions.
Lucy Cuthew
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The intersection of burgeoning sexual curiosity, menstruation, and online shaming form the backdrop for this fast-paced novel that could encourage teens to reexamine their preconceptions.
Blossom and the Firefly, The
Sherri L. Smith
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 1945 Japan, Taro, 17, is willing to die for his country. But then this kamikaze pilot meets 15-year-old Hana. Author's note, glossary, bibliography.
Sherri L. Smith
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 1945 Japan, Taro, 17, is willing to die for his country. But then this kamikaze pilot meets 15-year-old Hana. Author's note, glossary, bibliography.
Break the Fall
Jennifer Iacopelli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
About to strive for a medal in her last Olympics, Audrey, a US gymnast, is staggered by accusations of a coach's abuse.
Jennifer Iacopelli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
About to strive for a medal in her last Olympics, Audrey, a US gymnast, is staggered by accusations of a coach's abuse.
Breathless
Jennifer Niven
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
After her parent's divorce, Claudine and her mother travel to a remote island to heal. Floundering for support, she falls in love with Jeremiah. Sexual content.
Jennifer Niven
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
After her parent's divorce, Claudine and her mother travel to a remote island to heal. Floundering for support, she falls in love with Jeremiah. Sexual content.
Bridge, The
Bill Konigsberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Two teens contemplate suicide on the George Washington Bridge. Four separate scenarios present potential outcomes as they struggle for survival. Author's note, resources.
Bill Konigsberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Two teens contemplate suicide on the George Washington Bridge. Four separate scenarios present potential outcomes as they struggle for survival. Author's note, resources.
Burn
Patrick Ness
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In an alternate Cold War-era, racially intolerant Washington State, Sarah's father hires a dragon to work on their farm, unaware of an imminent threat from a dragon-worshipping cult.
Patrick Ness
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In an alternate Cold War-era, racially intolerant Washington State, Sarah's father hires a dragon to work on their farm, unaware of an imminent threat from a dragon-worshipping cult.
Burning, The
Laura Bates
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Anna's nude photos distributed on social media propel her and her mom to escape to Scotland, where she learns of historic female persecution. Unfortunately, the scandal follows her.
Laura Bates
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Anna's nude photos distributed on social media propel her and her mom to escape to Scotland, where she learns of historic female persecution. Unfortunately, the scandal follows her.
Call Me American
Abdi Nor Iftin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Abdi grows up in war-torn Somalia, learns English, becomes excited about American culture, meets journalists, does some writing himself, and finally immigrates to the U.S. Young readers edition.
Abdi Nor Iftin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Abdi grows up in war-torn Somalia, learns English, becomes excited about American culture, meets journalists, does some writing himself, and finally immigrates to the U.S. Young readers edition.
Cane Warriors
Alex Wheatle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Fourteen-year-old Moa fights for the freedom of enslaved people in Jamaican plantations. Based on the true story of Tacky's Rebellion in 1760 against the British.
Alex Wheatle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Fourteen-year-old Moa fights for the freedom of enslaved people in Jamaican plantations. Based on the true story of Tacky's Rebellion in 1760 against the British.
Cat I Never Named, The: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival
Amra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. Sullivan
Illustrator: Shazleen Khan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Love, resourcefulness, and a faithful cat give Muslim teenager Amra and her family the strength to survive the Bosnian genocide, 1992-1995. Spot illustrations, resources.
Amra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. Sullivan
Illustrator: Shazleen Khan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Love, resourcefulness, and a faithful cat give Muslim teenager Amra and her family the strength to survive the Bosnian genocide, 1992-1995. Spot illustrations, resources.
Cemetery Boys
Aiden Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Lady Death, who empowers the Brujx to guide spirits to the afterlife, accepts transgender Brujo Yadriel as a boy. Will the rest of the community?
Aiden Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Lady Death, who empowers the Brujx to guide spirits to the afterlife, accepts transgender Brujo Yadriel as a boy. Will the rest of the community?
Charming as a Verb
Ben Philippe
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Haitian-American Henri dreams of acceptance at Columbia University. His plans go awry when classmate Corinne blackmails him into helping her change her reputation.
Ben Philippe
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Haitian-American Henri dreams of acceptance at Columbia University. His plans go awry when classmate Corinne blackmails him into helping her change her reputation.
Clap When You Land
Elizabeth Acevedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Two 15-year-old girls, Camino in the DR and Yahaira in Harlem, describe learning about each other's existence when their father suddenly dies. Free verse.
Elizabeth Acevedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Two 15-year-old girls, Camino in the DR and Yahaira in Harlem, describe learning about each other's existence when their father suddenly dies. Free verse.
Cloud of Outrageous Blue, A
Vesper Stamper
Illustrator: Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
It's 1348 in Yorkshire; 16-year-old Edyth, a synesthete, illuminates manuscripts in a priory, where terrified townspeople flee from the Plague. Full-color illustrations.
Vesper Stamper
Illustrator: Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
It's 1348 in Yorkshire; 16-year-old Edyth, a synesthete, illuminates manuscripts in a priory, where terrified townspeople flee from the Plague. Full-color illustrations.
Come On In: 15 Stories About Immigration and Coming Home
Adi Alsaid, ed.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
This engaging anthology recounts tales of teen immigrants and young people in immigrant families, from a variety of countries. Written by #OwnVoices authors.
Adi Alsaid, ed.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
This engaging anthology recounts tales of teen immigrants and young people in immigrant families, from a variety of countries. Written by #OwnVoices authors.
Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Feder describes her grief at the death of her mother when she was a 19-year-old college freshman. Colorful, hand-lettered illustrations.
Tyler Feder
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Feder describes her grief at the death of her mother when she was a 19-year-old college freshman. Colorful, hand-lettered illustrations.
Darius the Great Deserves Better
Adib Khorram
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Darius's depression is under control, and he has a wonderful boyfriend. But his family is struggling financially and his beloved Iranian grandfather is dying. Life is complicated.
Adib Khorram
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Darius's depression is under control, and he has a wonderful boyfriend. But his family is struggling financially and his beloved Iranian grandfather is dying. Life is complicated.
Dark and Deepest Red
Anna-Marie McLemore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 16th century Strasbourg, Lala, a Roma, is blamed for a deadly dancing fever; 500 years later, red shoes bind to Mexican-American Rosella's feet, forcing her to dance.
Anna-Marie McLemore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 16th century Strasbourg, Lala, a Roma, is blamed for a deadly dancing fever; 500 years later, red shoes bind to Mexican-American Rosella's feet, forcing her to dance.
Dark Matter of Mona Starr, The
Laura Lee Gulledge
Illustrator: Laura Lee Gulledge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Greyscale and spot yellow, cosmic illustrations dramatically depict Mona's journey to manage her depression. Back matter includes reading list and self-care plan.
Laura Lee Gulledge
Illustrator: Laura Lee Gulledge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Greyscale and spot yellow, cosmic illustrations dramatically depict Mona's journey to manage her depression. Back matter includes reading list and self-care plan.
Daughters of Jubilation
Kara Lee Corthron
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Evvie draws on magical powers, inherited from generations of Black women, to fight against a man who assaulted her as a child and returned to find her.
Kara Lee Corthron
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Evvie draws on magical powers, inherited from generations of Black women, to fight against a man who assaulted her as a child and returned to find her.