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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Defy the Stars
by Claudia Gray
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Teenager Noemi sets out on an interstellar quest with Abel, a gifted robot, to save her planet Genesis from their enemies.
by Claudia Gray
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Teenager Noemi sets out on an interstellar quest with Abel, a gifted robot, to save her planet Genesis from their enemies.
Dreadnought (Nemesis series)
by April Daniels
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
As Danny Tozer, 15, struggles with being transgender, she receives the super powers of a dying Dreadnought and must fight nemeses Utopia and Sovereign
by April Daniels
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
As Danny Tozer, 15, struggles with being transgender, she receives the super powers of a dying Dreadnought and must fight nemeses Utopia and Sovereign
Dreamland Burning
by Jennifer Latham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Intertwined tales of two biracial teenagers living in two different eras tell a gripping story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots
by Jennifer Latham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Intertwined tales of two biracial teenagers living in two different eras tell a gripping story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots
Dress Codes for Small Towns
by Courtney Stevens
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
As Billie starts senior year in the Kentucky town where her father is the preacher, she confronts her feelings for both Janie Lee and Davey.
by Courtney Stevens
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
As Billie starts senior year in the Kentucky town where her father is the preacher, she confronts her feelings for both Janie Lee and Davey.
Duels & Deception
by Cindy Anstey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In 1800's London, a young lady of 17, poised to marry and manage her late father's estate, finds herself entangled with a winsome law clerk.
by Cindy Anstey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In 1800's London, a young lady of 17, poised to marry and manage her late father's estate, finds herself entangled with a winsome law clerk.
Eliza and Her Monsters
written and illustrated by Francesca Zappia
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Eliza is a social outcast, but online she creates a fantastical web-comic beloved by millions. Can she keep her dual identities secret? Intriguing black-and-white drawings.
written and illustrated by Francesca Zappia
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Eliza is a social outcast, but online she creates a fantastical web-comic beloved by millions. Can she keep her dual identities secret? Intriguing black-and-white drawings.
Every Hidden Thing
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In the 1800's Rachel and Samuel, children of competing paleontologist fathers, accompany them on a dinosaur hunt, uncovering more than new scientific facts.
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In the 1800's Rachel and Samuel, children of competing paleontologist fathers, accompany them on a dinosaur hunt, uncovering more than new scientific facts.
Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined
by Danielle Younge-Ullman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
On a three week wilderness trip, 17-year-old Ingrid confronts her mother's opera career disappointments, depression, and her own personal demons.
by Danielle Younge-Ullman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
On a three week wilderness trip, 17-year-old Ingrid confronts her mother's opera career disappointments, depression, and her own personal demons.
Eyes of the World
by Marc Aronson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Robert Capa and Gerda Taro reinvented themselves and bravely covered the Spanish Civil War as pioneering war photographers. Illustrated with photographs by Capa and Taro. Sources, bibliography, webography, back matter.
by Marc Aronson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Robert Capa and Gerda Taro reinvented themselves and bravely covered the Spanish Civil War as pioneering war photographers. Illustrated with photographs by Capa and Taro. Sources, bibliography, webography, back matter.
Far from the Tree
by Robin Benway
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Three teenaged siblings, separated as babies, find each other, search for their birth mother, and discover the meaning of family, even when it looks different.
by Robin Benway
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Three teenaged siblings, separated as babies, find each other, search for their birth mother, and discover the meaning of family, even when it looks different.
Feral Youth
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Ten teenagers in a survival camp for juvenile offenders share stories about the incidents and individuals that changed their lives. Are they telling the truth?
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Ten teenagers in a survival camp for juvenile offenders share stories about the incidents and individuals that changed their lives. Are they telling the truth?
Fire Color One
by Jenny Valentine
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When Iris, a 16-year-old pyromaniac, is taken to London to live with her rich, dying father, she discovers how untruthful her exploitative mother has been.
by Jenny Valentine
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When Iris, a 16-year-old pyromaniac, is taken to London to live with her rich, dying father, she discovers how untruthful her exploitative mother has been.
First We Were IV
by Alexandra Sirowy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When four friends form a secret society to confront authority, they uncover the unsavory truths about themselves, their families, and a murder.
by Alexandra Sirowy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When four friends form a secret society to confront authority, they uncover the unsavory truths about themselves, their families, and a murder.
Foolish Hearts
by Emma Mills
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC - After Claudia makes an enemy of one of the most powerful girls at her elite private school, will being together in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” be a nightmare?
by Emma Mills
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC - After Claudia makes an enemy of one of the most powerful girls at her elite private school, will being together in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” be a nightmare?
Freya
by Matthew Laurence
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Freya, a Norse goddess, energizes herself and other gods and goddesses when she confronts a corporation attempting to drain them of their magical powers.
by Matthew Laurence
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Freya, a Norse goddess, energizes herself and other gods and goddesses when she confronts a corporation attempting to drain them of their magical powers.
Genuine Fraud
by E. Lockhart
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Who is chasing Jules, a privileged American teen on the run in Mexico? Backtracking chapters unspool the answers in this expertly plotted, chilling thriller.
by E. Lockhart
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Who is chasing Jules, a privileged American teen on the run in Mexico? Backtracking chapters unspool the answers in this expertly plotted, chilling thriller.
Girl Code
by Andrea Gonzales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Teen coders trying to fight menstrual taboos create the game “Tampon Run,” which goes viral. Extensive coding resources in back matter.
by Andrea Gonzales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Teen coders trying to fight menstrual taboos create the game “Tampon Run,” which goes viral. Extensive coding resources in back matter.
Grendel's Guide to Love and War
by A.E. Kaplan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Worrying that new neighbors' excruciatingly loud parties will trigger a PTSD episode in his veteran father, Tom concocts increasingly zany plans to stop late-night noise and chaos.
by A.E. Kaplan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Worrying that new neighbors' excruciatingly loud parties will trigger a PTSD episode in his veteran father, Tom concocts increasingly zany plans to stop late-night noise and chaos.
Here We Are
edited by Kelly Jensen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Forty-four diverse contributors explore the definitions, history, social impact, and personal significance of feminism in essay, poetry, and graphic formats. Back matter includes further reading.
edited by Kelly Jensen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Forty-four diverse contributors explore the definitions, history, social impact, and personal significance of feminism in essay, poetry, and graphic formats. Back matter includes further reading.
History Is All You Left Me
by Adam Silvera
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After his ex-boyfriend dies in a tragic accident, Griffin Jennings pieces together their relationship history, but his compulsions and the ex's new boyfriend keep interfering.
by Adam Silvera
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After his ex-boyfriend dies in a tragic accident, Griffin Jennings pieces together their relationship history, but his compulsions and the ex's new boyfriend keep interfering.
Hunted
by Meagan Spooner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Yeva is the empowered heroine of this clever, contemplative blending of Beauty and the Beast with the Slavic Firebird legend.
by Meagan Spooner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Yeva is the empowered heroine of this clever, contemplative blending of Beauty and the Beast with the Slavic Firebird legend.
I Am Alfonso Jones
by Tony Medina
Illustrator: Stacey Robinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
The spirit of Alfonso, a black boy killed by a white police officer, rides a train and encounters victims of police brutality. Heartbreaking black and white graphics.
by Tony Medina
Illustrator: Stacey Robinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
The spirit of Alfonso, a black boy killed by a white police officer, rides a train and encounters victims of police brutality. Heartbreaking black and white graphics.
I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
by Erika L. Sánchez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After her sister's death, Julia learns that Olga was not the model daughter her immigrant parents thought, and discovers some hard truths about herself and her parents.
by Erika L. Sánchez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After her sister's death, Julia learns that Olga was not the model daughter her immigrant parents thought, and discovers some hard truths about herself and her parents.
In Other Lands
by Sarah Rees Brennan
Illustrator: Carolyn Nowak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Can Elliot, a nerdy, cantankerous human pacifist, make peace in Borderlands, a magical realm of enchanted creatures constantly at war with each other? Black-and-white drawings introduce each chapter.
by Sarah Rees Brennan
Illustrator: Carolyn Nowak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Can Elliot, a nerdy, cantankerous human pacifist, make peace in Borderlands, a magical realm of enchanted creatures constantly at war with each other? Black-and-white drawings introduce each chapter.
Invictus
by Ryan Graudin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
During a heist on the Titanic, Farway, 18, captain of a 24th century unauthorized time machine, encounters a strange girl who wants to join his crew but has secrets that impact his future -- and his past.
by Ryan Graudin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
During a heist on the Titanic, Farway, 18, captain of a 24th century unauthorized time machine, encounters a strange girl who wants to join his crew but has secrets that impact his future -- and his past.