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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Dear Justyce
Nic Stone
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In letters, Quan, 17, relates the events that led him to prison, and his observations of how the juvenile justice system treats African-Americans. Sequel to Dear Martin.
Nic Stone
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In letters, Quan, 17, relates the events that led him to prison, and his observations of how the juvenile justice system treats African-Americans. Sequel to Dear Martin.
Dear Universe
Florence Gonsalves
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Chamomile, a senior in high school, struggles to reconcile two worlds: home, where her father is terminally ill, and school, with its own anxieties.
Florence Gonsalves
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Chamomile, a senior in high school, struggles to reconcile two worlds: home, where her father is terminally ill, and school, with its own anxieties.
Deeplight
Frances Hardinge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Orphans Hark's and Jelt's lifelong friendship is existentially strained after they make a dangerous discovery while scavenging for body parts of long-dead Gods.
Frances Hardinge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Orphans Hark's and Jelt's lifelong friendship is existentially strained after they make a dangerous discovery while scavenging for body parts of long-dead Gods.
Degenerates, The
J. Albert Mann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 1928 four young girls are among those incarcerated for life in an institute for the "feeble-minded." How can they change their fate?
J. Albert Mann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In 1928 four young girls are among those incarcerated for life in an institute for the "feeble-minded." How can they change their fate?
Displacement
Kiku Hughes
Illustrator: Kiku Hughes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Teen Kiku travels back in time to experience the traumatic WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans, including the grandmother she never knew. Nuanced colored panels. Back matter.
Kiku Hughes
Illustrator: Kiku Hughes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Teen Kiku travels back in time to experience the traumatic WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans, including the grandmother she never knew. Nuanced colored panels. Back matter.
Dogchild
Kevin Brooks
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a brutal post apocalyptic world, Jeet, raised by wild dogs, now lives among people in one of only two surviving communities. Is he safe within its besieged walls?
Kevin Brooks
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a brutal post apocalyptic world, Jeet, raised by wild dogs, now lives among people in one of only two surviving communities. Is he safe within its besieged walls?
Dragon Hoops
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: Gene Luen Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author describes how a graphic novel was created from the compelling story of a high school's drive to become basketball state champions. Extensive back matter.
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: Gene Luen Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author describes how a graphic novel was created from the compelling story of a high school's drive to become basketball state champions. Extensive back matter.
Edge of Anything, The
Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
An unlikely friendship develops between star athlete Sage and loner Len. Both girls are struggling in very different ways while learning the meaning of true friendship.
Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
An unlikely friendship develops between star athlete Sage and loner Len. Both girls are struggling in very different ways while learning the meaning of true friendship.
Empire of Dreams, The
Rae Carson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
When orphan Red's adoption is thwarted, she petitions to join the all-male Royal Guard. A planned coup will test her mettle.
Rae Carson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
When orphan Red's adoption is thwarted, she petitions to join the all-male Royal Guard. A planned coup will test her mettle.
End, The
Mats Strandberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
A meteor is hurtling towards Earth; two Swedish teens try to solve a murder while deciding what they truly value and who they ultimately want to be.
Mats Strandberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
A meteor is hurtling towards Earth; two Swedish teens try to solve a murder while deciding what they truly value and who they ultimately want to be.
Enigma Game, The
Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
During World War II, a Jamaican-British 15-year-old finds a smuggled German encryption device near an RAF airfield in Scotland. Companion to Code Name Verity.
Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
During World War II, a Jamaican-British 15-year-old finds a smuggled German encryption device near an RAF airfield in Scotland. Companion to Code Name Verity.
Every Body Looking
Candice Iloh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Nigerian-American Ana's upbringing by a strict father and uninvolved mother renders her submissive and secretive; leaving home for college gives her room to bloom. In verse.
Candice Iloh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Nigerian-American Ana's upbringing by a strict father and uninvolved mother renders her submissive and secretive; leaving home for college gives her room to bloom. In verse.
Everything Comes Next: Collected & New Poems
Naomi Shihab Nye
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Looking through a lens of connectivity, the Poetry Foundation's Young People's Poet Laureate offers over 100 profound and memorable poems. Black-and-white spot art.
Naomi Shihab Nye
Illustrator: Rafael López
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Looking through a lens of connectivity, the Poetry Foundation's Young People's Poet Laureate offers over 100 profound and memorable poems. Black-and-white spot art.
Everything I Have Lost, The
Sylvia Zeleny
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In her journal, Julia records the tumultuous year her family escapes from Juarez for El Paso, and gradually acknowledges her father's criminality and her mother's helpless love for him.
Sylvia Zeleny
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In her journal, Julia records the tumultuous year her family escapes from Juarez for El Paso, and gradually acknowledges her father's criminality and her mother's helpless love for him.
Felix Ever After
Kacen Callender
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Felix, 17, black, trans, and queer, suspects that the anonymous bully tormenting him is his chief rival for a competitive art scholarship. Revenge-seeking leads to surprises.
Kacen Callender
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Felix, 17, black, trans, and queer, suspects that the anonymous bully tormenting him is his chief rival for a competitive art scholarship. Revenge-seeking leads to surprises.
Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence
Joel Christian Gill
Illustrator: author (colorist: Shannon Scott)
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author tells how he overcame early abuse and a fragmented, frightening childhood to discover friendship, inspiration, and love.
Joel Christian Gill
Illustrator: author (colorist: Shannon Scott)
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The author tells how he overcame early abuse and a fragmented, frightening childhood to discover friendship, inspiration, and love.
Finding My Voice
Marie Myung-Ok Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a small Minnesota town, senior Ellen Sung grapples with pressures of college choices, overt racism, and demanding parents.
Marie Myung-Ok Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a small Minnesota town, senior Ellen Sung grapples with pressures of college choices, overt racism, and demanding parents.
Fire Never Goes Out, The: A Memoir in Pictures
Noelle Stevenson
Illustrator: Noelle Stevenson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
A graphic novelist chronicles her highs and lows from 2011 (age 19 in art school) to 2019 when she marries her wife. Stevenson's signature, sketchy cartoons illustrate the text.
Noelle Stevenson
Illustrator: Noelle Stevenson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
A graphic novelist chronicles her highs and lows from 2011 (age 19 in art school) to 2019 when she marries her wife. Stevenson's signature, sketchy cartoons illustrate the text.
First Conspiracy, The: The Secret Plot To Kill George Washington
Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch; Adapted by Catherine Frank
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a conflict with constantly shifting loyalties, it became clear that espionage would play a key role if the revolutionaries were to prevail. Extensive back matter.
Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch; Adapted by Catherine Frank
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In a conflict with constantly shifting loyalties, it became clear that espionage would play a key role if the revolutionaries were to prevail. Extensive back matter.
Flamer
Mike Curato
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The boys at St. Michael's bully Aiden for his weight, race, and mannerisms. He hates boys, he's Catholic; how could he possibly be gay? Monochrome illustrations with bright highlights.
Mike Curato
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
The boys at St. Michael's bully Aiden for his weight, race, and mannerisms. He hates boys, he's Catholic; how could he possibly be gay? Monochrome illustrations with bright highlights.
Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading & Writing
Emily X.R. Pan & Nova Ren Suma, eds.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
This collection of thirteen short stories by diverse YA authors explores the ways in which they used prompts and techniques to develop their stories.
Emily X.R. Pan & Nova Ren Suma, eds.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
This collection of thirteen short stories by diverse YA authors explores the ways in which they used prompts and techniques to develop their stories.
Freedom Summer for Young People: The Violent Season That Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy
Bruce Watson, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
Illustrator: Archival photography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In the summer of 1964, college students registered black voters in Mississippi and opened schools for youngsters. Archival photos, extensive back matter.
Bruce Watson, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
Illustrator: Archival photography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
In the summer of 1964, college students registered black voters in Mississippi and opened schools for youngsters. Archival photos, extensive back matter.
Furia
Yamile Saied Méndez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Camila, aspiring to a professional soccer career, faces an anti-feminist Argentinian society, an abusive father, and a choice between her boyfriend and her sport.
Yamile Saied Méndez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Camila, aspiring to a professional soccer career, faces an anti-feminist Argentinian society, an abusive father, and a choice between her boyfriend and her sport.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn
Melissa Bashardoust
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Soraya is poisonous to anything she touches. Isolated and lonely, she grasps at a chance for change, potentially dooming her family and kingdom. Inspired by Persian lore.
Melissa Bashardoust
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Soraya is poisonous to anything she touches. Isolated and lonely, she grasps at a chance for change, potentially dooming her family and kingdom. Inspired by Persian lore.
Golden Arm
Carl Deuker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Star pitcher Laz, 19, hampered by poverty and learning disabilities, could pitch for a more competitive school, maybe get drafted by the majors, if he leaves his community.
Carl Deuker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2020
Star pitcher Laz, 19, hampered by poverty and learning disabilities, could pitch for a more competitive school, maybe get drafted by the majors, if he leaves his community.