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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Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful
by Arwen Elys Dayton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Six loosely linked stories set in a future where extreme human physical modification is commonplace explore the ethics of bioengineering.
by Arwen Elys Dayton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Six loosely linked stories set in a future where extreme human physical modification is commonplace explore the ethics of bioengineering.
Super Late Bloomer
written and illustrated by Julia Kaye
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Julia shares a very personal and honest account of the struggles and emotional pain she experienced while transitioning from male to female. Black-and-white comic strips.
written and illustrated by Julia Kaye
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Julia shares a very personal and honest account of the struggles and emotional pain she experienced while transitioning from male to female. Black-and-white comic strips.
Swing
by Kwame Alexander
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC Noah, 17, wants to take his relationship with Samantha to the next level. Best friend Walt thinks they should stick with baseball. Then tragedy strikes.
by Kwame Alexander
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
ARC Noah, 17, wants to take his relationship with Samantha to the next level. Best friend Walt thinks they should stick with baseball. Then tragedy strikes.
Tales from the Inner City
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Animal silhouettes and vibrant multipage illustrations accompany each short story or poem that highlights unique relationships between humans and real and imaginary creatures. Informative introduction.
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Animal silhouettes and vibrant multipage illustrations accompany each short story or poem that highlights unique relationships between humans and real and imaginary creatures. Informative introduction.
Tangled Planet
by Kate Blair
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A vivid account of humans in the far distant future, who try to settle a planet and leave the space ship that has been their home for hundreds of years.
by Kate Blair
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A vivid account of humans in the far distant future, who try to settle a planet and leave the space ship that has been their home for hundreds of years.
The Adventure Zone
by Clint McEloyet al.
Illustrator: Carey Pietsch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An elf, dwarf, and human set off on a hilarious adventure in this graphic format adaptation of the Dungeons and Dragons podcast series. Action packed, humorous illustrations.
by Clint McEloyet al.
Illustrator: Carey Pietsch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An elf, dwarf, and human set off on a hilarious adventure in this graphic format adaptation of the Dungeons and Dragons podcast series. Action packed, humorous illustrations.
The Agony House
by Cherie Priest
Illustrator: Tara OConnor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An unfinished 1950s comic book with faint blue panels found by Denise in the dilapidated house that her family is repairing foreshadows unusual and threatening events. Pages from the comic book are included.
by Cherie Priest
Illustrator: Tara OConnor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
An unfinished 1950s comic book with faint blue panels found by Denise in the dilapidated house that her family is repairing foreshadows unusual and threatening events. Pages from the comic book are included.
The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Elena can heal people of their ailments, but some completely disappear after each miracle. Is it really the end of the world?
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Elena can heal people of their ailments, but some completely disappear after each miracle. Is it really the end of the world?
The Assassin's Guide to Love & Treason
by Virginia Boecker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 1601, Katherine joins a Catholic group plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth. Toby, the Queen's spy, sets a traps for the would-be assassins using Shakespeare's new play as bait.
by Virginia Boecker
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In 1601, Katherine joins a Catholic group plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth. Toby, the Queen's spy, sets a traps for the would-be assassins using Shakespeare's new play as bait.
The Astonishing Color of After
by Emily X. R. Pan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
After her suicide, Leigh's mother returns as a ghostly red bird leading Leigh to Taiwan to uncover family secrets. Back matter on depression.
by Emily X. R. Pan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
After her suicide, Leigh's mother returns as a ghostly red bird leading Leigh to Taiwan to uncover family secrets. Back matter on depression.
The Belles
by Dhonielle Clayton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In Orléans, where beauty comes at a high price, Camillia, a Belle, finds herself caught in a political plot that could unravel her entire world.
by Dhonielle Clayton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In Orléans, where beauty comes at a high price, Camillia, a Belle, finds herself caught in a political plot that could unravel her entire world.
The Book of Pearl
by Timothée de Fombelle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Banished from his fairy-tale kingdom, a prince finds himself in 1936 France. There, he assumes the name Joshua Pearl, and tries to find his way home.
by Timothée de Fombelle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Banished from his fairy-tale kingdom, a prince finds himself in 1936 France. There, he assumes the name Joshua Pearl, and tries to find his way home.
The Cheerleaders
by Kara Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Five cheerleaders are dead, including Monica's beloved older sister. That was five years ago, and now Monica and a new friend uncover the painful truth.
by Kara Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Five cheerleaders are dead, including Monica's beloved older sister. That was five years ago, and now Monica and a new friend uncover the painful truth.
The Dark Descent of Elizabaeth Frankenstein
by Kiersten White
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In an engrossing and gruesome retelling of Frankenstein, Elizabeth, a ward of the Frankenstein family, becomes Victor's bride, escapes, and saves herself and those she loves.
by Kiersten White
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In an engrossing and gruesome retelling of Frankenstein, Elizabeth, a ward of the Frankenstein family, becomes Victor's bride, escapes, and saves herself and those she loves.
The Deepest Roots
by Miranda Asebedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
All girls born in Cottonwood Hollow have special abilities, but it's not until danger strikes that Rome, Lux, and Mercy realize that these are a blessing, not a curse.
by Miranda Asebedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
All girls born in Cottonwood Hollow have special abilities, but it's not until danger strikes that Rome, Lux, and Mercy realize that these are a blessing, not a curse.
The Hazel Wood
by Melissa Albert
Illustrator: Jim Tierney
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Alice realizes her mother's disappearance is connected to her reclusive grandmother's supernatural and haunting fairy tales, which have come to life. Simple but poignant spot black-and-white illustrations.
by Melissa Albert
Illustrator: Jim Tierney
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Alice realizes her mother's disappearance is connected to her reclusive grandmother's supernatural and haunting fairy tales, which have come to life. Simple but poignant spot black-and-white illustrations.
The History of Jane Doe
by Michael Belanger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Toggling between the present and the past, the narrator mixes humor and tragedy with his passion for quirky historical facts and his first true love.
by Michael Belanger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Toggling between the present and the past, the narrator mixes humor and tragedy with his passion for quirky historical facts and his first true love.
The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
by Mackenzi Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Felicity yearns to be a surgeon, an almost impossible dream for a woman in 18th Century England. Chasing her goal embroils her in life-threatening international adventures.
by Mackenzi Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Felicity yearns to be a surgeon, an almost impossible dream for a woman in 18th Century England. Chasing her goal embroils her in life-threatening international adventures.
The Light Between Worlds
by Laura E. Weymouth
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In World War II London, three siblings escape the horrors of war when they enter an enchanted land that haunts them even after they return.
by Laura E. Weymouth
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In World War II London, three siblings escape the horrors of war when they enter an enchanted land that haunts them even after they return.
The Poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Xiomara, the teen-aged poet must write and must share her poetry. Her determination and the help of those who love her let her shine.
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Xiomara, the teen-aged poet must write and must share her poetry. Her determination and the help of those who love her let her shine.
The Prince and the Dressmaker
written and illustrated by Jen Wang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Prince Sebastian's passion is moonlighting in the most fashionable outfits as Lady Chrystallia. Can he keep this secret? Pencil-and-ink with digital color.
written and illustrated by Jen Wang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Prince Sebastian's passion is moonlighting in the most fashionable outfits as Lady Chrystallia. Can he keep this secret? Pencil-and-ink with digital color.
The Stars at Oktober Bend
by Glenda Millard
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Assaulted at 12, brain-damaged Alice, 15, posts poems to share words she can't speak. Manny, once a child soldier in Sierra Leone, reads her words.
by Glenda Millard
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Assaulted at 12, brain-damaged Alice, 15, posts poems to share words she can't speak. Manny, once a child soldier in Sierra Leone, reads her words.
The Summer of Broken Things
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A summer in Spain with her father sounds unappealing to Avery, 14, but like an amazing opportunity to family friend Kayla, 16. A secret link between their families changes everything.
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A summer in Spain with her father sounds unappealing to Avery, 14, but like an amazing opportunity to family friend Kayla, 16. A secret link between their families changes everything.
The Unwanted
written and illustrated by Don Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Follow the events that sparked the Arab Spring, the war in Syria, and the decision by many Syrians to flee their country. Pen-and-ink digitally colored illustrations.
written and illustrated by Don Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Follow the events that sparked the Arab Spring, the war in Syria, and the decision by many Syrians to flee their country. Pen-and-ink digitally colored illustrations.
The Way You Make Me Feel
by Maurene Goo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
16-year-old Korean-Brazilian-American Clara is forced to spend the summer working on her father's food truck with Rose, whom she hates. Can sharing responsibility turn these enemies into friends?
by Maurene Goo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
16-year-old Korean-Brazilian-American Clara is forced to spend the summer working on her father's food truck with Rose, whom she hates. Can sharing responsibility turn these enemies into friends?