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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The Wren Hunt
by Mary Watson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A bitter internal rivalry between Druid factions places Wren squarely, uncomfortably, and dangerously in the middle. A modern Irish love story with deeply ancient roots.
by Mary Watson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A bitter internal rivalry between Druid factions places Wren squarely, uncomfortably, and dangerously in the middle. A modern Irish love story with deeply ancient roots.
Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It
by Kerry Windfrey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A high school junior waits to have surgery to sure her under bite which she believes is extremely disfiguring. While she waits, life becomes unexpectedly confirming.
by Kerry Windfrey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A high school junior waits to have surgery to sure her under bite which she believes is extremely disfiguring. While she waits, life becomes unexpectedly confirming.
This Story Is a Lie
by Tom Pollock
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When his scientist mother is viciously attacked and his twin sister goes missing, Pete, 17, a math genius with severe anxiety, hunts for the truth.
by Tom Pollock
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When his scientist mother is viciously attacked and his twin sister goes missing, Pete, 17, a math genius with severe anxiety, hunts for the truth.
Thunderhead
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Medical science has nearly conquered death. To prevent overpopulation people are chosen to be “gleaned” by specially trained “scythes,” some of whom are secretly committing genocide.
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Medical science has nearly conquered death. To prevent overpopulation people are chosen to be “gleaned” by specially trained “scythes,” some of whom are secretly committing genocide.
Together at Midnight
by Jennifer Castle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When a woman fleeing an abusive boyfriend is run over, guilt-ridden bystanders Kendall and Max accept a dare to commit seven random acts of kindness within the next four days.
by Jennifer Castle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
When a woman fleeing an abusive boyfriend is run over, guilt-ridden bystanders Kendall and Max accept a dare to commit seven random acts of kindness within the next four days.
Tradition
by Brendan Kiely
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Jules and Jamie support each other through self-reflection and advocacy at a prestigious boarding school where the hidden curriculum encourages a rape culture and toxic masculinity.
by Brendan Kiely
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Jules and Jamie support each other through self-reflection and advocacy at a prestigious boarding school where the hidden curriculum encourages a rape culture and toxic masculinity.
Troublemakers
by Catherine Barter
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
15-year-old Alena, raised by her brother and his partner, creates unforeseen consequences when she makes a serious mistake while researching her mother's life.
by Catherine Barter
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
15-year-old Alena, raised by her brother and his partner, creates unforeseen consequences when she makes a serious mistake while researching her mother's life.
Unpunished Murder
by Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
During Reconstruction, a white militia terrorizes an established African-American community in a Central Louisiana town without coming to justice. Archival photos. Extensive back matter.
by Lawrence Goldstone
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
During Reconstruction, a white militia terrorizes an established African-American community in a Central Louisiana town without coming to justice. Archival photos. Extensive back matter.
Vaccination Investigation
by Tara Haelle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Why are immunizations so important? Learn about their history and development, including claims about safety and effectiveness. Extensive back matter and archival photos.
by Tara Haelle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Why are immunizations so important? Learn about their history and development, including claims about safety and effectiveness. Extensive back matter and archival photos.
Very, Very, Very Dreadful
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Science, history, human behavior, and geo-political factors unsparingly relate the story of the World War I-era pandemic. Black-and-white photographs, maps, and charts.
by Albert Marrin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Science, history, human behavior, and geo-political factors unsparingly relate the story of the World War I-era pandemic. Black-and-white photographs, maps, and charts.
Votes for Women!
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This is the fascinating, detailed account of the bumpy road to women's suffrage in the U. S. from 1848 to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. Archival photographs. Back notes.
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This is the fascinating, detailed account of the bumpy road to women's suffrage in the U. S. from 1848 to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. Archival photographs. Back notes.
We Are All That's Left
by Carrie Arcos
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With her mother in a coma after an explosion at a farmer's market, Zara seeks to uncover her tragic past. Chapters alternate between modern Rhode Island and 1990s Bosnia.
by Carrie Arcos
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With her mother in a coma after an explosion at a farmer's market, Zara seeks to uncover her tragic past. Chapters alternate between modern Rhode Island and 1990s Bosnia.
We Are Here to Stay
by Susan Kuklin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A chronicle of true stories of nine undocumented young adults who came looking for a life free of violence, poverty, and political unrest. Inspiring photographs.
by Susan Kuklin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A chronicle of true stories of nine undocumented young adults who came looking for a life free of violence, poverty, and political unrest. Inspiring photographs.
We Are Not Yet Equal
by Carol Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This detailed, documented history of African American disenfranchisement by white people is an adaptation for young adults of “White Rage.” Discussion questions and further reading.
by Carol Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
This detailed, documented history of African American disenfranchisement by white people is an adaptation for young adults of “White Rage.” Discussion questions and further reading.
We Kiss Them With Rain
by Futhi Ntshingila
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A compelling story of a young South African girl growing up under the clouds of poverty, AIDS, death, and rape.
by Futhi Ntshingila
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
A compelling story of a young South African girl growing up under the clouds of poverty, AIDS, death, and rape.
We'll Fly Away
by Bryan Bliss
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Luke and Toby try to sustain each other through pain and loss during the years but then . .. . A complicated grim picture of the lives of two friends.
by Bryan Bliss
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Luke and Toby try to sustain each other through pain and loss during the years but then . .. . A complicated grim picture of the lives of two friends.
What If It's Us
by Becky Albertalli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Two teenage boys, one from Alabama and one a New Yorker, meet accidentally and struggle with issues of romance and friendship.
by Becky Albertalli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Two teenage boys, one from Alabama and one a New Yorker, meet accidentally and struggle with issues of romance and friendship.
What I Leave Behind
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Sherman Ng
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Sensitive, gentle, sixteen-year-old Will walks the L.A. streets trying to outpace his grief over his father's suicide and despair over his friend's gang-rape. Soft grey Chinese calligraphy.
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Sherman Ng
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Sensitive, gentle, sixteen-year-old Will walks the L.A. streets trying to outpace his grief over his father's suicide and despair over his friend's gang-rape. Soft grey Chinese calligraphy.
What the Night Sings
written and illustrated by Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In a displaced persons camp after her liberation from Auschwitz, Gerta, 16, faces an uncertain future, bereft of her singing voice and struggling with her her Jewish identity. Copious powerful ink wash illustrations.
written and illustrated by Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
In a displaced persons camp after her liberation from Auschwitz, Gerta, 16, faces an uncertain future, bereft of her singing voice and struggling with her her Jewish identity. Copious powerful ink wash illustrations.
When My Heart Joins the Thousand
by A. J. Steiger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Two adolescent orphans, struggling to survive in the face of incredibly difficult family backgrounds, reach towards one another. A very tender love story.
by A. J. Steiger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Two adolescent orphans, struggling to survive in the face of incredibly difficult family backgrounds, reach towards one another. A very tender love story.
Wild Blue Wonder
by Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
One tragic summer has turned 17-year-old Quinn's world upside down. As she struggles with feelings of grief, guilt, and loss, a new boy appears in town.
by Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
One tragic summer has turned 17-year-old Quinn's world upside down. As she struggles with feelings of grief, guilt, and loss, a new boy appears in town.
Winterfolk
by Janel Kolby
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Fifteen-year-old Rain, living in a homeless compound with her alcoholic father, must confront the real world when her tent city is threatened with destruction.
by Janel Kolby
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Fifteen-year-old Rain, living in a homeless compound with her alcoholic father, must confront the real world when her tent city is threatened with destruction.
Words We Don't Say
by K. J. Reilly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Joel, a teen volunteering in a soup kitchen, meets a homeless veteran with PTSD and is forced to confront his own issues.
by K. J. Reilly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
Joel, a teen volunteering in a soup kitchen, meets a homeless veteran with PTSD and is forced to confront his own issues.
Zenobia
by Morten Dürr
Illustrator: Lars Horneman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With spare drawings and few words, this deeply moving book powerfully conveys the horrors of war for children in Syria or anywhere.
by Morten Dürr
Illustrator: Lars Horneman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2018
With spare drawings and few words, this deeply moving book powerfully conveys the horrors of war for children in Syria or anywhere.
10 Things I Can See From Here
by Carrie Mac
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seventeen-year-old Maeve, suffering from a severe anxiety disorder explores her sexual identity, her father's drug dependency, and the changing family structure.
by Carrie Mac
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seventeen-year-old Maeve, suffering from a severe anxiety disorder explores her sexual identity, her father's drug dependency, and the changing family structure.