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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Darker by Four
June CL Tan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Rui trains as an exorcist to destroy Revenants—the undead monsters that killed her mother. Her fate intertwines with the fate of two boys, uncovering the darkest secrets of the Exorcist Guild.
June CL Tan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Rui trains as an exorcist to destroy Revenants—the undead monsters that killed her mother. Her fate intertwines with the fate of two boys, uncovering the darkest secrets of the Exorcist Guild.
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear
Robin Wasley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a supernatural tourist town, a Korean adoptee of white parents who feels nearly invisible finds her resolve, courage, and love tested by a magical cataclysm.
Robin Wasley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a supernatural tourist town, a Korean adoptee of white parents who feels nearly invisible finds her resolve, courage, and love tested by a magical cataclysm.
Deep Is the Fen
Lili Wilkinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a well-crafted world of magic and secrets, Merry struggles to prevent her friend from joining a cult. Or does she just not want to grow up? Greyscale spot art.
Lili Wilkinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a well-crafted world of magic and secrets, Merry struggles to prevent her friend from joining a cult. Or does she just not want to grow up? Greyscale spot art.
Discovering Life's Story: The Evolution of an Idea (Discovering Life's Story series)
Joy Hakim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
An excellently researched history of the scientists who contributed to our understanding of evolution. Well-placed, informative sidebars and photos. Bibliography, index.
Joy Hakim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
An excellently researched history of the scientists who contributed to our understanding of evolution. Well-placed, informative sidebars and photos. Bibliography, index.
Drop of Venom, A
Sajni Patel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
After a brutal sexual assault, temple apprentice Manisha gains fearsome powers. Dispatched to destroy her, Pratyush, a monster slayer, does not realize he is hunting the girl he loves. Mature content
Sajni Patel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
After a brutal sexual assault, temple apprentice Manisha gains fearsome powers. Dispatched to destroy her, Pratyush, a monster slayer, does not realize he is hunting the girl he loves. Mature content
Dust Spells
Andrea Lynn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
During the Great Depression, three sisters struggling to survive in the Dust Bowl find comfort in a mysterious realm where the burdens of their impoverished lives vanish.
Andrea Lynn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
During the Great Depression, three sisters struggling to survive in the Dust Bowl find comfort in a mysterious realm where the burdens of their impoverished lives vanish.
Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal
Gretchen Schreiber
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Hospitalized high school junior Ellie connects with fellow teen patients while undergoing treatment for a genetic disorder. Explicit scenes of medical interactions. Friendships and romance lighten the narrative. Mature content
Gretchen Schreiber
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Hospitalized high school junior Ellie connects with fellow teen patients while undergoing treatment for a genetic disorder. Explicit scenes of medical interactions. Friendships and romance lighten the narrative. Mature content
Even if It Breaks Your Heart
Erin Hahn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A grief-stricken teen deals with the death of his best friend, Walker, by trying to complete each task on the list Walker left behind for him.
Erin Hahn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A grief-stricken teen deals with the death of his best friend, Walker, by trying to complete each task on the list Walker left behind for him.
Everything We Never Had
Randy Ribay
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A Filipino American family's story, from the early 20th century through the present, told by four generations of sons—Francisco, Emil, Chris, and Enzo—as each deals with their identity. Greyscale spot art. Family tree. Recommended resources.
Randy Ribay
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A Filipino American family's story, from the early 20th century through the present, told by four generations of sons—Francisco, Emil, Chris, and Enzo—as each deals with their identity. Greyscale spot art. Family tree. Recommended resources.
Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry, The (Sunderworld series)
Ransom Riggs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Leopold is drawn into a parallel world by strange visions of a fantasy TV show his mother recorded on a VCR before her death five years ago.
Ransom Riggs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Leopold is drawn into a parallel world by strange visions of a fantasy TV show his mother recorded on a VCR before her death five years ago.
Eyes Open
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1960s Portugal, Sónia longs to become a poet, but her activist boyfriend's arrest by the dictatorial government forces her to leave school and work in a laundry. Mature content
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1960s Portugal, Sónia longs to become a poet, but her activist boyfriend's arrest by the dictatorial government forces her to leave school and work in a laundry. Mature content
Fox Maidens, The
Robin Ha
Illustrator: Robin Ha, Dana Fritts - typography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 16th-century Korea, Kai must reckon with her destiny after she manifests dangerous abilities that expose her mother's long-kept secrets. Digital art, occasionally blood-splattered. Mature content
Robin Ha
Illustrator: Robin Ha, Dana Fritts - typography
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 16th-century Korea, Kai must reckon with her destiny after she manifests dangerous abilities that expose her mother's long-kept secrets. Digital art, occasionally blood-splattered. Mature content
Gender Binary Is a Big Lie, The: Infinite Identities Around the World
Lee Wind
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
An engaging and informative look at historical conceptions of gender identity, with close examination of a wide range of primary sources.
Lee Wind
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
An engaging and informative look at historical conceptions of gender identity, with close examination of a wide range of primary sources.
Ghost Roast
Shawnelle Gibbs and Shawneé Gibbs
Illustrator: Emily Cannon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
While working with her ghost hunter father, Chelsea realizes she can communicate with spirits and uncovers a secret about the murder of a biracial philanthropist. Colorful, dynamic, digital illustrations. Mature content
Shawnelle Gibbs and Shawneé Gibbs
Illustrator: Emily Cannon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
While working with her ghost hunter father, Chelsea realizes she can communicate with spirits and uncovers a secret about the murder of a biracial philanthropist. Colorful, dynamic, digital illustrations. Mature content
Grace Notes: Poems About Families
Naomi Shihab Nye
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In this collection of free verse poems, Nye recalls the life of her white, depressed, American mother, her Palestinian father, and their divorce.
Naomi Shihab Nye
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In this collection of free verse poems, Nye recalls the life of her white, depressed, American mother, her Palestinian father, and their divorce.
Gulf, The
Adam de Souza
Illustrator: Adam de Souza
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Struggling to face the future after high school, three friends run away to a commune, illuminating their frailties and, more importantly, their strengths. Dynamic ink sketches in a limited palette.
Adam de Souza
Illustrator: Adam de Souza
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Struggling to face the future after high school, three friends run away to a commune, illuminating their frailties and, more importantly, their strengths. Dynamic ink sketches in a limited palette.
Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery
Christine Mari
Illustrator: Christine Mari
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Christine, 19, struggles with her mental health from being bullied because she has a white American father and a Japanese mother. Can she make a fresh start in Tokyo? Expressive artwork in a muted palette.
Christine Mari
Illustrator: Christine Mari
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Christine, 19, struggles with her mental health from being bullied because she has a white American father and a Japanese mother. Can she make a fresh start in Tokyo? Expressive artwork in a muted palette.
Heir
Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
The stories of a revenge-seeking orphan, an outcast tracking a murderer, and a reluctant crown prince interconnect as the three face evil forces in this magical, action-packed adventure and romance. Mature content
Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
The stories of a revenge-seeking orphan, an outcast tracking a murderer, and a reluctant crown prince interconnect as the three face evil forces in this magical, action-packed adventure and romance. Mature content
Homebody
Theo Parish
Illustrator: Theo Parish
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Follow Theo's journey of self-discovery, in which they emerge as transgender and nonbinary. Comic illustrations keep the narrative fresh and appealing.
Theo Parish
Illustrator: Theo Parish
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Follow Theo's journey of self-discovery, in which they emerge as transgender and nonbinary. Comic illustrations keep the narrative fresh and appealing.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet
Tony Keith Jr.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
It takes Tony years to believe in his own talent and strengths and to accept his sexuality. Performing his poetry in public helps give him courage. Mature content
Tony Keith Jr.
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
It takes Tony years to believe in his own talent and strengths and to accept his sexuality. Performing his poetry in public helps give him courage. Mature content
Icarus
K. Ancrum
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Icarus, a queer high school student and trained thief of art paintings and statues, forms a relationship with Helios, the son of his dad's nemesis. Mature content
K. Ancrum
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Icarus, a queer high school student and trained thief of art paintings and statues, forms a relationship with Helios, the son of his dad's nemesis. Mature content
If You Can't Take the Heat
Michael Ruhlman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Devastated by a medical emergency that upends his high school athletic career, Theo, 16, meets Julia, who introduces him to the world of restaurants and gourmet cooking. Mature content
Michael Ruhlman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Devastated by a medical emergency that upends his high school athletic career, Theo, 16, meets Julia, who introduces him to the world of restaurants and gourmet cooking. Mature content
I Hope This Doesn't Find You
Ann Liang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Chinese Australian super student Sadie manages stress by drafting cathartic hate emails and leaving them unsent. When the emails are mysteriously exposed, major difficulties ensue.
Ann Liang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Chinese Australian super student Sadie manages stress by drafting cathartic hate emails and leaving them unsent. When the emails are mysteriously exposed, major difficulties ensue.
In Repair
A. L. Graziadei
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Nathaniel hopes that, as a college freshman, he can leave his traumatic and troublemaking past behind. So is jumping out a window at a party a good idea? Mature content
A. L. Graziadei
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Nathaniel hopes that, as a college freshman, he can leave his traumatic and troublemaking past behind. So is jumping out a window at a party a good idea? Mature content
Into the Sunken City
Dinesh Thiru
Illustrator: map by BMR Williams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a flooded future world, a mysterious woman enlists 18-year-old Jin to raid an underwater city for a priceless treasure. Captivating world-building and a rip-roaring adventure. Greyscale map.
Dinesh Thiru
Illustrator: map by BMR Williams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In a flooded future world, a mysterious woman enlists 18-year-old Jin to raid an underwater city for a priceless treasure. Captivating world-building and a rip-roaring adventure. Greyscale map.