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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Joined at the Joints
Marissa Eller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Both Ivy and her sister Caroline have chronic illnesses, but Ivy is the one isolating herself and staying home to watch the Food Network. Will a support group help?
Marissa Eller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Both Ivy and her sister Caroline have chronic illnesses, but Ivy is the one isolating herself and staying home to watch the Food Network. Will a support group help?
Just Another Epic Love Poem
Parisa Akhbari
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Why did Mitra's Iranian father enroll her in a Roman Catholic school? Unexpectedly, she makes a best friend there and falls in love through poetry.
Parisa Akhbari
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Why did Mitra's Iranian father enroll her in a Roman Catholic school? Unexpectedly, she makes a best friend there and falls in love through poetry.
Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account
Ernesto Saade
Illustrator: Ernesto Saade
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Carlos, 19, and his mother leave El Salvador in 2006 to migrate to the U.S., encountering harrowing dangers on their journey. Based on the author's cousin's experiences. Pastel illustrations.
Ernesto Saade
Illustrator: Ernesto Saade
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Carlos, 19, and his mother leave El Salvador in 2006 to migrate to the U.S., encountering harrowing dangers on their journey. Based on the author's cousin's experiences. Pastel illustrations.
Just Until
Joseph Moldover
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
The year before Hannah, 17, plans to go to college, she and her widowed father temporarily take in her troubled sister's two boys. Author's note on the child welfare system.
Joseph Moldover
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
The year before Hannah, 17, plans to go to college, she and her widowed father temporarily take in her troubled sister's two boys. Author's note on the child welfare system.
Kill Her Twice
Stacey Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1930s Los Angeles, Gemma and May Chow try to keep their father's flower business afloat. They discover the body of a famous Chinese American movie star — their former classmate.
Stacey Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1930s Los Angeles, Gemma and May Chow try to keep their father's flower business afloat. They discover the body of a famous Chinese American movie star — their former classmate.
Last Bloodcarver, The
Vanessa Le
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Surviving by her wits in an industrial city-state, Nhika attempts to use her healing gifts—which seem magical to some and monstrous to others—with devastating consequences.
Vanessa Le
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Surviving by her wits in an industrial city-state, Nhika attempts to use her healing gifts—which seem magical to some and monstrous to others—with devastating consequences.
Leap
Simina Popescu
Illustrator: Simina Popescu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Three girls in a performing arts school in Romania navigate romance, sexuality, and commitment to their art and to each other. Dramatic sepia and grey-toned panels.
Simina Popescu
Illustrator: Simina Popescu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Three girls in a performing arts school in Romania navigate romance, sexuality, and commitment to their art and to each other. Dramatic sepia and grey-toned panels.
Libertad
Bessie Flores Zaldívar
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Amid a contentious presidential election, Libertad struggles to find acceptance and expression for her lesbianism by writing poetry. Will she have to leave home to be herself? Mature content
Bessie Flores Zaldívar
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Amid a contentious presidential election, Libertad struggles to find acceptance and expression for her lesbianism by writing poetry. Will she have to leave home to be herself? Mature content
Light Enough to Float
Lauren Seal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Evie, a good student who is unaware of her eating disorder, can't quite believe that she needs to be hospitalized. Inspired by the author's real life struggles.
Lauren Seal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Evie, a good student who is unaware of her eating disorder, can't quite believe that she needs to be hospitalized. Inspired by the author's real life struggles.
Louder than Hunger
John Schu, foreword by Kate DiCamillo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Middle school student Jake undergoes treatment for anorexia nervosa, which manifests as a controlling "Voice" in his head. Free-verse poetry dramatically expresses his harrowing journey to health.
John Schu, foreword by Kate DiCamillo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Middle school student Jake undergoes treatment for anorexia nervosa, which manifests as a controlling "Voice" in his head. Free-verse poetry dramatically expresses his harrowing journey to health.
Lunar New Year Love Story
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Despite a family curse, Vietnamese American Valentina hopes to find romantic love as she journeys through high school. Occasional use of Vietnamese and Korean, Vibrant color illustrations.
Gene Luen Yang
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Despite a family curse, Vietnamese American Valentina hopes to find romantic love as she journeys through high school. Occasional use of Vietnamese and Korean, Vibrant color illustrations.
Made Glorious
Lindsay Eagar
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Embittered scholarship student and social outcast Rory schemes to land the lead role in the senior musical, Shakespeare's Richard III set in a modern private school.
Lindsay Eagar
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Embittered scholarship student and social outcast Rory schemes to land the lead role in the senior musical, Shakespeare's Richard III set in a modern private school.
Medici Heist
Caitlin Schneiderhan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1517 Florence, a band of thieves plan to rob the tyrannical Medici pope and cardinal of money they amassed by selling forgiveness of sins to credulous parishioners.
Caitlin Schneiderhan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In 1517 Florence, a band of thieves plan to rob the tyrannical Medici pope and cardinal of money they amassed by selling forgiveness of sins to credulous parishioners.
My Fair Brady
Brian D. Kennedy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
To convince Reese, his ex-boyfriend, that he isn't self-absorbed, high school senior Wade plays Pygmalion to shy, nerdy Elijah, introducing him to his theater world. But then ...
Brian D. Kennedy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
To convince Reese, his ex-boyfriend, that he isn't self-absorbed, high school senior Wade plays Pygmalion to shy, nerdy Elijah, introducing him to his theater world. But then ...
No-Girlfriend Rule, The
Christen Randall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Frustrated by her inability to join her boyfriend's role-playing game, Hollis, 17, finds an all-female RPG group, and in so doing, discovers her true self. Mature content
Christen Randall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Frustrated by her inability to join her boyfriend's role-playing game, Hollis, 17, finds an all-female RPG group, and in so doing, discovers her true self. Mature content
No Rules Tonight
Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
Illustrator: Ryan Estrada
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In South Korea in the 1980s Sook's adventure to a winter camp allows her and others a night of freedom and a chance to keep a banned book club alive. Expressive graphics. Semi-autobiographical.
Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
Illustrator: Ryan Estrada
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In South Korea in the 1980s Sook's adventure to a winter camp allows her and others a night of freedom and a chance to keep a banned book club alive. Expressive graphics. Semi-autobiographical.
On the Bright Side
Anna Sortino
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
With the Brandview School for the Deaf defunded, Ellie must attend public school. Jackson is assigned to help her, not knowing he's on the verge of a life-changing diagnosis. Author's note on multiple sclerosis (MS).
Anna Sortino
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
With the Brandview School for the Deaf defunded, Ellie must attend public school. Jackson is assigned to help her, not knowing he's on the verge of a life-changing diagnosis. Author's note on multiple sclerosis (MS).
Ping-Pong Queen of Chinatown, The
Andrew Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Two Chinese American teens have a complex but growing friendship as they struggle with parental expectations and hopes for admission to expensive and highly selective colleges.
Andrew Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Two Chinese American teens have a complex but growing friendship as they struggle with parental expectations and hopes for admission to expensive and highly selective colleges.
Poemhood: Our Black Revival
Edited by Amber McBride, Taylor Byas, and Erica Martin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A powerful anthology of Black poets past and present, highlighting the complexity and diversity of Black life through personal narrative, history, and folklore. Explanatory outros. Greyscale illustrations. Back matter.
Edited by Amber McBride, Taylor Byas, and Erica Martin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A powerful anthology of Black poets past and present, highlighting the complexity and diversity of Black life through personal narrative, history, and folklore. Explanatory outros. Greyscale illustrations. Back matter.
Punk Rock Karaoke
Bianca Xunise
Illustrator: Bianca Xunise
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In the summer following high school, three best friends learn to stand up for each other while balancing their band's dreams and life's responsibilities. Boisterous illustrations. Mature content
Bianca Xunise
Illustrator: Bianca Xunise
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
In the summer following high school, three best friends learn to stand up for each other while balancing their band's dreams and life's responsibilities. Boisterous illustrations. Mature content
Queerceañera
Alex Crespo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Joaquin is celebrating his queerceañera on his 18th birthday. WhatsApp chats keep his extended family informed. His first crush is his date; will the event turn out perfectly? Mature content
Alex Crespo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Joaquin is celebrating his queerceañera on his 18th birthday. WhatsApp chats keep his extended family informed. His first crush is his date; will the event turn out perfectly? Mature content
Reappearance of Rachel Price, The
Holly Jackson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
When her mother reappears after vanishing 16 years earlier, Bel determines to untangle an increasingly knotty web of lies to get at the truth.
Holly Jackson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
When her mother reappears after vanishing 16 years earlier, Bel determines to untangle an increasingly knotty web of lies to get at the truth.
Red
Annie Cardi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A teenager is vilified by her Christian peers after getting an abortion. She vows to protect the father until she realizes he was a predator. Author's note.
Annie Cardi
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
A teenager is vilified by her Christian peers after getting an abortion. She vows to protect the father until she realizes he was a predator. Author's note.
Second Chance of Darius Logan, The
David F. Walker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Darius, a Black 16-year-old, escapes a prison sentence by joining a prison reform program known as Second Chance, but learns that someone within the program is out to kill him.
David F. Walker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
Darius, a Black 16-year-old, escapes a prison sentence by joining a prison reform program known as Second Chance, but learns that someone within the program is out to kill him.
Second Chance on Earth, A
Juan Vidal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
After Marcos's father dies, his grief-stricken family takes his ashes to Cartagena. There, Marcos finds friendship, discovers Gabriel García Márquez, and connects to his rich Colombian heritage. Free verse.
Juan Vidal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2024
After Marcos's father dies, his grief-stricken family takes his ashes to Cartagena. There, Marcos finds friendship, discovers Gabriel García Márquez, and connects to his rich Colombian heritage. Free verse.