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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I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom
Shannon C. F. Rogers
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
After the death of her mother, Filipina American Marisol spirals with grief and regret over their difficult relationship. Can a new friendship help Marisol process her loss?
Shannon C. F. Rogers
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
After the death of her mother, Filipina American Marisol spirals with grief and regret over their difficult relationship. Can a new friendship help Marisol process her loss?
I Kick and I Fly
Ruchira Gupta
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Heera, a South Asian Indian teenager, escapes being sold into the sex trade by learning kung fu to protect herself and others. Endnotes. Mature content
Ruchira Gupta
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Heera, a South Asian Indian teenager, escapes being sold into the sex trade by learning kung fu to protect herself and others. Endnotes. Mature content
I'll Tell You No Lies
Amanda McCrina
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
When Shelby's military intelligence officer father is assigned to interrogate a Soviet defector, she becomes entangled with the young pilot and must decide whom to trust.
Amanda McCrina
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
When Shelby's military intelligence officer father is assigned to interrogate a Soviet defector, she becomes entangled with the young pilot and must decide whom to trust.
I Loved You in Another Life
David Arnold
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A mysterious singer draws lovers together throughout time, most recently aspiring actress Shosh, gutted by her sister's death, and Evan, son of an absentee father.
David Arnold
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A mysterious singer draws lovers together throughout time, most recently aspiring actress Shosh, gutted by her sister's death, and Evan, son of an absentee father.
Imogen, Obviously
Becky Albertalli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Straight ally Imogen can't get her bearings when faced with best friend Gretchen's expectations and strict rules about being in queer spaces.
Becky Albertalli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Straight ally Imogen can't get her bearings when faced with best friend Gretchen's expectations and strict rules about being in queer spaces.
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe
Steve Sheinkin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Two Slovakian teens risked their lives: he, to escape the horrors in Nazi concentration camps and warn the world; she, to survive and aid the Resistance. Maps, extensive back matter. Mature content
Steve Sheinkin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Two Slovakian teens risked their lives: he, to escape the horrors in Nazi concentration camps and warn the world; she, to survive and aid the Resistance. Maps, extensive back matter. Mature content
Impossible Thing to Say, An
Arya Shahi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Omid, a shy Iranian American, tries to find his place after 9/11. Will a school play and a family crisis force him to become his true self?
Arya Shahi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Omid, a shy Iranian American, tries to find his place after 9/11. Will a school play and a family crisis force him to become his true self?
Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim
Patricia Park
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
After Papi's death, senior Alejandra Kim doesn't feel as if she belongs at her Manhattan prep school or her immigrant Queens neighborhood. Can she escape to her dream college?
Patricia Park
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
After Papi's death, senior Alejandra Kim doesn't feel as if she belongs at her Manhattan prep school or her immigrant Queens neighborhood. Can she escape to her dream college?
Improbable Season, An
Rosalyn Eves
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
In Regency England, three young women with diverse intellectual and artistic interests descend on London for their debut balls. Nothing happens in the way they had hoped.
Rosalyn Eves
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
In Regency England, three young women with diverse intellectual and artistic interests descend on London for their debut balls. Nothing happens in the way they had hoped.
Infinity Particle, The
Wendy Xu
Illustrator: Wendy Xu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Aspiring scientist Clementine has just moved to Mars to work in an acclaimed AI lab. When she meets Kye, a robot, she senses an emotional connection which shouldn't be there. Detailed pastel pink and blue panels.
Wendy Xu
Illustrator: Wendy Xu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Aspiring scientist Clementine has just moved to Mars to work in an acclaimed AI lab. When she meets Kye, a robot, she senses an emotional connection which shouldn't be there. Detailed pastel pink and blue panels.
In Limbo
Deb JJ Lee
Illustrator: Deb JJ Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
The author-illustrator recounts her struggles as a Korean American immigrant battling mental health issues and a demanding, rage-prone mother. Captivating digital graphic art. Mature content
Deb JJ Lee
Illustrator: Deb JJ Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
The author-illustrator recounts her struggles as a Korean American immigrant battling mental health issues and a demanding, rage-prone mother. Captivating digital graphic art. Mature content
In the Tunnel
Julie Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Stuck in a tunnel during the Korean War, book-loving 16-year-old Myung-gi looks back on his life with harrowing and touching ruminations on family, love, and death.
Julie Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Stuck in a tunnel during the Korean War, book-loving 16-year-old Myung-gi looks back on his life with harrowing and touching ruminations on family, love, and death.
Isles of the Gods, The
Amie Kaufman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
When Selly's ship is boarded by a prince on a secret diplomatic mission, events lead to danger, treason, and romance. Can Selly learn to control her magic?
Amie Kaufman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
When Selly's ship is boarded by a prince on a secret diplomatic mission, events lead to danger, treason, and romance. Can Selly learn to control her magic?
Kin: Rooted in Hope
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Through free verse, the author seeks and shares the story of her family tree, which has been shaped by enslavement and liberation. Expressive black-and-white scratchwork illustrations.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Through free verse, the author seeks and shares the story of her family tree, which has been shaped by enslavement and liberation. Expressive black-and-white scratchwork illustrations.
Lake House, The
Sarah Beth Durst
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Sent to an island for summer camp, three teenage girls discover that they have been abandoned. Facing numerous dangers, they struggle to survive. Mature content.
Sarah Beth Durst
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Sent to an island for summer camp, three teenage girls discover that they have been abandoned. Facing numerous dangers, they struggle to survive. Mature content.
Little Like Waking, A
Adam Rex
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A near accident and a new boy in her picture-perfect life cause Zelda to believe that she is dreaming. What will happen to her dreamworld if she awakens? Full-page black-and-white illustrations.
Adam Rex
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A near accident and a new boy in her picture-perfect life cause Zelda to believe that she is dreaming. What will happen to her dreamworld if she awakens? Full-page black-and-white illustrations.
Long Time Coming, A: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama
Ray Anthony Shepard
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Five story-poems shed light on the struggles of six African Americans who fought for equality, despite intense, even violent, resistance. Powerful black-and-white illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Ray Anthony Shepard
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Five story-poems shed light on the struggles of six African Americans who fought for equality, despite intense, even violent, resistance. Powerful black-and-white illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Look on the Bright Side
Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
Illustrator: Lily Williams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
As BFFs Christine, Brit, Abby, and Sasha begin their junior year in high school, they must deal with various challenges, such as grades, boyfriends, girlfriends, and sexuality. Clear, focused panels.
Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
Illustrator: Lily Williams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
As BFFs Christine, Brit, Abby, and Sasha begin their junior year in high school, they must deal with various challenges, such as grades, boyfriends, girlfriends, and sexuality. Clear, focused panels.
Love Match, The
Priyanka Taslim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Zahra's matchmaking Bengali mother courts a rich family with a handsome son, but neither Zahra nor Harun are interested in dating. A charming but poor, parentless boy triggers complications.
Priyanka Taslim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Zahra's matchmaking Bengali mother courts a rich family with a handsome son, but neither Zahra nor Harun are interested in dating. A charming but poor, parentless boy triggers complications.
Magda Standing
Christine Fallert Kessides
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Magda and her large loving German American family face the horrors of World War I and the Spanish flu epidemic. Yet she remains ready to love and learn.
Christine Fallert Kessides
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Magda and her large loving German American family face the horrors of World War I and the Spanish flu epidemic. Yet she remains ready to love and learn.
Magic Has No Borders
Sona Charaipotra and Samira Ahmed, editors
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Fourteen stories drawn from folklore and legends of South Asia are reimagined to create powerful female characters and critique imperialism.
Sona Charaipotra and Samira Ahmed, editors
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Fourteen stories drawn from folklore and legends of South Asia are reimagined to create powerful female characters and critique imperialism.
Making of Yolanda la Bruja, The
Lorraine Avila
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Bronx high school sophomore Yolanda, a social justice activist, is learning to listen to the ancient spirits who guide her. When a white student enrolls, she senses violence.
Lorraine Avila
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Bronx high school sophomore Yolanda, a social justice activist, is learning to listen to the ancient spirits who guide her. When a white student enrolls, she senses violence.
Melancholy of Summer, The
Louisa Onomé
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Nigerian Canadian Summer is spiraling downward, abandoned by family and community. Can she break through her barriers and ask allies for help?
Louisa Onomé
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Nigerian Canadian Summer is spiraling downward, abandoned by family and community. Can she break through her barriers and ask allies for help?
Messenger: The Legend of Muhammad Ali
Marc Bernardin
Illustrator: Ron Salas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Framed as a heroic narrative in the style of Homer, this graphic biography is full of great details about Ali's life and his importance. Emotive greyscale artwork.
Marc Bernardin
Illustrator: Ron Salas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Framed as a heroic narrative in the style of Homer, this graphic biography is full of great details about Ali's life and his importance. Emotive greyscale artwork.
Mighty Long Way, A: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School
Carlotta Walls LaNier, with Lisa Frazier Page
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
One of the original nine Black students to integrate an all-White school recalls her experience of having to fight hostile forces for an education. Archival photos. Source notes. Young readers edition.
Carlotta Walls LaNier, with Lisa Frazier Page
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
One of the original nine Black students to integrate an all-White school recalls her experience of having to fight hostile forces for an education. Archival photos. Source notes. Young readers edition.