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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All Out of Pretty
by Ingrid Palmer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC When 15-year-old Andrea's grandmother dies, her drug addicted mother resurfaces forcing her to live with a drug dealer with dire consequences.
by Ingrid Palmer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC When 15-year-old Andrea's grandmother dies, her drug addicted mother resurfaces forcing her to live with a drug dealer with dire consequences.
All the Stars Denied
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In the mass deportation of Mexican-Americans from Texas during the Great Depression, 15-year-old Estrella and her family struggle to survive and return home.
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In the mass deportation of Mexican-Americans from Texas during the Great Depression, 15-year-old Estrella and her family struggle to survive and return home.
All We Can Do Is Wait
by Richard Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A group of teenagers meet in the waiting room of a hospital expecting news of the survivors of a horrendous bridge collapse.
by Richard Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A group of teenagers meet in the waiting room of a hospital expecting news of the survivors of a horrendous bridge collapse.
Americanized
by Sara Saedi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Written with humor, historical references, and original diary entries, Sara Saedi recounts her teenage angst and fears growing up as an undocumented Iranian immigrant in suburban California. Photographs.
by Sara Saedi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Written with humor, historical references, and original diary entries, Sara Saedi recounts her teenage angst and fears growing up as an undocumented Iranian immigrant in suburban California. Photographs.
American Panda
by Gloria Chao
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A freshman at MIT, Mei, 17, tries to meet her traditional Taiwanese parents' expectations but their dreams for her are not what she wants - or needs.
by Gloria Chao
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A freshman at MIT, Mei, 17, tries to meet her traditional Taiwanese parents' expectations but their dreams for her are not what she wants - or needs.
American Road Trip
by Patrick Flores-Scott
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Teodoro's summer plans before senior year are disrupted when his brother returns from Iraq with PTSD and the family must deal with new realities.
by Patrick Flores-Scott
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Teodoro's summer plans before senior year are disrupted when his brother returns from Iraq with PTSD and the family must deal with new realities.
And She Was
by Jessica Verdi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An aspiring tennis player, struggling without her mother's help, discovers that her mother is really her father. As she tracks down her biological family, she discovers how love is gender blind.
by Jessica Verdi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An aspiring tennis player, struggling without her mother's help, discovers that her mother is really her father. As she tracks down her biological family, she discovers how love is gender blind.
Anger is a Gift
by Mark Oshiro
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
for years after police killed his father, Moss struggled with severe anxiety. Now poor conditions and a hostile environment at school are pushing him to his breaking point.
by Mark Oshiro
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
for years after police killed his father, Moss struggled with severe anxiety. Now poor conditions and a hostile environment at school are pushing him to his breaking point.
A Quiet Kind of Thunder
by Sara Barnard
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With a history of selective mutism, Steffi uses signing as a way of communicating. In high school, she is partnered with a deaf boy and her life improves.
by Sara Barnard
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With a history of selective mutism, Steffi uses signing as a way of communicating. In high school, she is partnered with a deaf boy and her life improves.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Shirin, 16, has often experienced prejudice after 9/11 because she wears a hijab. Her growing friendship with a star basketball player leads to unforeseen consequences.
by Tahereh Mafi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Shirin, 16, has often experienced prejudice after 9/11 because she wears a hijab. Her growing friendship with a star basketball player leads to unforeseen consequences.
Big Water
by Andrea Curtis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Christina, 17, thought she could run away from her twin brother's death, but must face the possibility of her own on a Great Lakes steamship.
by Andrea Curtis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Christina, 17, thought she could run away from her twin brother's death, but must face the possibility of her own on a Great Lakes steamship.
Blood Water Paint
by Joy McCullough
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 17th Century Rome, Artemesia Gentileschi, a gifted artist, struggles against a male-dominated society for recognition and justice after she was sexually assaulted.
by Joy McCullough
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 17th Century Rome, Artemesia Gentileschi, a gifted artist, struggles against a male-dominated society for recognition and justice after she was sexually assaulted.
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree
by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When Boko Haram attacks her Nigerian village, an unnamed narrator is kidnapped with the other girls and women, forced to convert to Islam and marry. Powerful afterword.
by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When Boko Haram attacks her Nigerian village, an unnamed narrator is kidnapped with the other girls and women, forced to convert to Islam and marry. Powerful afterword.
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Born a maji, Zélie thought King Saran had destroyed magic years ago. Now, with help from the king's daughter, Zélie might be able to bring magic back to Orïsha.
by Tomi Adeyemi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Born a maji, Zélie thought King Saran had destroyed magic years ago. Now, with help from the king's daughter, Zélie might be able to bring magic back to Orïsha.
Claiming My Place
by Planaria Price
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This autobiography is the compelling story of survival of a young woman who was able to hide from the Nazis during World War II. Archival photographs.
by Planaria Price
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This autobiography is the compelling story of survival of a young woman who was able to hide from the Nazis during World War II. Archival photographs.
Come November
by Katrin van Dam
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Roonie's mother is a member of a cult who are preparing to leave the earth together. Roonie is left with all the practical details of life.
by Katrin van Dam
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Roonie's mother is a member of a cult who are preparing to leave the earth together. Roonie is left with all the practical details of life.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay
by Adib Khorram
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Teen Darius suffers from clinical depression. When he travels to Iran to meet his grandparents he meets Sohrab, another teen, who changes Darius's whole perception of himself.
by Adib Khorram
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Teen Darius suffers from clinical depression. When he travels to Iran to meet his grandparents he meets Sohrab, another teen, who changes Darius's whole perception of himself.
Deogratias
by J. P. Stassen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Deogratias, a teenager in 1994, cannot live with his role in the genocidal events of the Rwandan horror. The powerful graphic panels move back and forth in time. Revised edition.
by J. P. Stassen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Deogratias, a teenager in 1994, cannot live with his role in the genocidal events of the Rwandan horror. The powerful graphic panels move back and forth in time. Revised edition.
Devils Unto Dust
by Emma Berquist
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 1870s Texas, Willie searches for her father to settle his debt, but must evade “the Shakes,” humans who are no longer living but not quite dead.
by Emma Berquist
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 1870s Texas, Willie searches for her father to settle his debt, but must evade “the Shakes,” humans who are no longer living but not quite dead.
(Don't) Call Me Crazy
edited by Kelly Jensen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC Contributors recognized for their public accomplishments divulge their varied experiences with neurodivergence, mental illness, and their paths to wellness and acceptance. Resources and bios included.
edited by Kelly Jensen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC Contributors recognized for their public accomplishments divulge their varied experiences with neurodivergence, mental illness, and their paths to wellness and acceptance. Resources and bios included.
Dream Country
by Shannon Gibney
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Through five generations across two continents, descendants of the transatlantic African slave trade endure incredible circumstances with resilience and determination. Back matter.
by Shannon Gibney
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Through five generations across two continents, descendants of the transatlantic African slave trade endure incredible circumstances with resilience and determination. Back matter.
Driving by Starlight
by Anat Deracine
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 16-year-old Leena contends with restrictions such as censorship, religious police, and arranged marriage while seeking an education and independence.
by Anat Deracine
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 16-year-old Leena contends with restrictions such as censorship, religious police, and arranged marriage while seeking an education and independence.
Easy Prey
by Catherine Lo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Three high school seniors, exploring social media issues in a law class, obtain inappropriate pictures of their teacher which are distributed across social media. Why?
by Catherine Lo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Three high school seniors, exploring social media issues in a law class, obtain inappropriate pictures of their teacher which are distributed across social media. Why?
Economic Inequality
by Coral Celeste Frazer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
The hows, whys, and wheres of fiscal unfairness in the United States are carefully described. Photographs, notes and bibliography.
by Coral Celeste Frazer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
The hows, whys, and wheres of fiscal unfairness in the United States are carefully described. Photographs, notes and bibliography.
Fakers
by H. P. Wood
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An account, from the ancient Greeks' Trojan horse to internet con artists includes tips on avoiding becoming the next one swindled. Humorous illustrations, photographs, and paintings. Includes sources.
by H. P. Wood
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An account, from the ancient Greeks' Trojan horse to internet con artists includes tips on avoiding becoming the next one swindled. Humorous illustrations, photographs, and paintings. Includes sources.