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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Life Sucks
by Michael I. Bennett, MD
Illustrator: Bridget Gibson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
A father-daughter team suggests practical ideas for teenagers as they deal with social, emotional, and personal issues throughout high school. Written with humor and helpful information. Additional resources.
by Michael I. Bennett, MD
Illustrator: Bridget Gibson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
A father-daughter team suggests practical ideas for teenagers as they deal with social, emotional, and personal issues throughout high school. Written with humor and helpful information. Additional resources.
Light It Up
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In the wake of the shooting of an unarmed black teenager, a community responds. Multiple points of view.
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In the wake of the shooting of an unarmed black teenager, a community responds. Multiple points of view.
Love from A to Z
by S. K. Ali
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Two Muslim teens of different races meet while flying to Qatar. Death of loved ones, Islamophobia, and illness challenge them as their developing romantic friendship provides important support.
by S. K. Ali
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Two Muslim teens of different races meet while flying to Qatar. Death of loved ones, Islamophobia, and illness challenge them as their developing romantic friendship provides important support.
Lovely War
by Julie Berry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The goddess Aphrodite defends her track record, evoking the romances of a British couple, an African American musician-soldier, and a Belgian woman. Extensive back matter.
by Julie Berry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The goddess Aphrodite defends her track record, evoking the romances of a British couple, an African American musician-soldier, and a Belgian woman. Extensive back matter.
Michigan vs. the Boys
by Carrie S. Allen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When Michigan's girls ice hockey team is disbanded, Michigan Manning makes the boys' team but has to withstand a season of hazing.
by Carrie S. Allen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When Michigan's girls ice hockey team is disbanded, Michigan Manning makes the boys' team but has to withstand a season of hazing.
My Body My Choice
by Robin Stevenson
Illustrator: Meags Fitzgerald
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The history of abortion and its criminalization in the United States, Canada, and globally, is told in lively prose with colorful graphics and photographs.
by Robin Stevenson
Illustrator: Meags Fitzgerald
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The history of abortion and its criminalization in the United States, Canada, and globally, is told in lively prose with colorful graphics and photographs.
No More Excuses
by Amber J. Keyser
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
This nonfiction account describes the rape culture that exists in our country and the ways women and men are rejecting that culture. Extensive back matter.
by Amber J. Keyser
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
This nonfiction account describes the rape culture that exists in our country and the ways women and men are rejecting that culture. Extensive back matter.
On the Come Up
by Angie Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Sixteen-year-old Bri is an aspiring rapper. Her story is one of racism, violence, and despair, but also love, friendship, music, and hope. It's complicated.
by Angie Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Sixteen-year-old Bri is an aspiring rapper. Her story is one of racism, violence, and despair, but also love, friendship, music, and hope. It's complicated.
Ordinary Girls
by Blair Thornburgh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When 15-year-old Plum realizes she lacks luster compared to her older sister, she slowly gives up her sidekick role to discover her own potential.
by Blair Thornburgh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When 15-year-old Plum realizes she lacks luster compared to her older sister, she slowly gives up her sidekick role to discover her own potential.
Out of Salem
by Hal Schrieve
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Fourteen-year-old genderqueer Z, a zombie, befriends Aysei, a lesbian werewolf. They find others who are also targets of intolerance and find there is strength in community.
by Hal Schrieve
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Fourteen-year-old genderqueer Z, a zombie, befriends Aysei, a lesbian werewolf. They find others who are also targets of intolerance and find there is strength in community.
Patron Saints of Nothing
by Randy Ribay
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Seventeen-year-old Jason travels to Manila, Philippines, to investigate his beloved cousin's death and why his uncle forbade anyone to speak of it.
by Randy Ribay
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Seventeen-year-old Jason travels to Manila, Philippines, to investigate his beloved cousin's death and why his uncle forbade anyone to speak of it.
Period
edited by Kate Farrell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Contributors share a range of personal experiences regarding menstruation, offering ways to destigmatize what has become a human rights issue. Resources in back matter.
edited by Kate Farrell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Contributors share a range of personal experiences regarding menstruation, offering ways to destigmatize what has become a human rights issue. Resources in back matter.
Pet
by Akwaeke Emezi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Jam, a transgender teen, along with her best friend Redemption must help a creature called Pet hunt down a monster lurking in Redemption's home.
by Akwaeke Emezi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Jam, a transgender teen, along with her best friend Redemption must help a creature called Pet hunt down a monster lurking in Redemption's home.
Picking Up the Pieces
by Carey Newman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
An artist with Canadian native roots creates a symbol of reconciliation in a monumental installation with objects from every residential school in Canada. Color photos.
by Carey Newman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
An artist with Canadian native roots creates a symbol of reconciliation in a monumental installation with objects from every residential school in Canada. Color photos.
Playlist
by James Rhodes
Illustrator: Martin ONeill
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
A passionate and light-hearted history introduces to great composers of classical music. Psychedelic collages. A playlist available online and on Spotify.
by James Rhodes
Illustrator: Martin ONeill
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
A passionate and light-hearted history introduces to great composers of classical music. Psychedelic collages. A playlist available online and on Spotify.
Screen Queens
by Lori Goldstein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Three female high school graduates arrive in Silicon Valley for a highly competitive computer coding competition and discover their friendship helps combat the sexism of the industry.
by Lori Goldstein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Three female high school graduates arrive in Silicon Valley for a highly competitive computer coding competition and discover their friendship helps combat the sexism of the industry.
Secret Soldiers
by Keely Hutton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
It's World War I and Thomas's older brother, a soldier in the English army, has gone missing. Thomas joins a tunnel-digging army unit, determined to find him.
by Keely Hutton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
It's World War I and Thomas's older brother, a soldier in the English army, has gone missing. Thomas joins a tunnel-digging army unit, determined to find him.
Shout
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Raped at 13 and unable to speak about it, the author confronts her trauma through her writing. Told in free verse. Resources and acknowledgments.
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Raped at 13 and unable to speak about it, the author confronts her trauma through her writing. Told in free verse. Resources and acknowledgments.
Skyjacked
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Finding themselves in the hands of a zealot who has skyjacked their plane, five high school friends struggle to stay alive, with disturbing results.
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Finding themselves in the hands of a zealot who has skyjacked their plane, five high school friends struggle to stay alive, with disturbing results.
Slay
by Brittney Morris
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Kiera, 17, designer of “Slay,” an Afrocentric online role-playing fantasy open only to black players, has to defend her creation after a gamer is murdered.
by Brittney Morris
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
Kiera, 17, designer of “Slay,” an Afrocentric online role-playing fantasy open only to black players, has to defend her creation after a gamer is murdered.
Soaring Earth
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In free verse, this Cuban American author evokes her teen journey during the late 1960s and early 1970s and her hard-won sense of rootedness and belonging.
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In free verse, this Cuban American author evokes her teen journey during the late 1960s and early 1970s and her hard-won sense of rootedness and belonging.
Someday We Will Fly
by Rachel DeWoskin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
During World War II, Lillia, 15, a Polish Jewish refugee in Shanghai, waits for her mother to join the family and describes her struggle to survive. Back matter.
by Rachel DeWoskin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
During World War II, Lillia, 15, a Polish Jewish refugee in Shanghai, waits for her mother to join the family and describes her struggle to survive. Back matter.
Spies
by Marc Favreau
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The intense rivalry between the U.S. and Russia for military secrets and intelligence is traced from 1945 to the present. Includes archival photographs, index, extensive notes, and references.
by Marc Favreau
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
The intense rivalry between the U.S. and Russia for military secrets and intelligence is traced from 1945 to the present. Includes archival photographs, index, extensive notes, and references.
Spin
by Lamar Giles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When a mutual friend, a rising DJ star, is killed, two African America teens who dislike each other work together to solve her murder.
by Lamar Giles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
When a mutual friend, a rising DJ star, is killed, two African America teens who dislike each other work together to solve her murder.
Starworld
by Audrey Coulthurst
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In an unexpected bonding, Zoe and Samantha share poetic allusions about another galaxy. As their friendship grows, they share intimacies. Is there a future for them?
by Audrey Coulthurst
Ages: 14+
Published: 2019
In an unexpected bonding, Zoe and Samantha share poetic allusions about another galaxy. As their friendship grows, they share intimacies. Is there a future for them?