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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Jane, Unlimited
by Kristin Cashore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Five imaginative and beautifully written stories, ranging from romance to mystery, science fiction, and fantasy, recount Jane's struggle with identity and life goals.
by Kristin Cashore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Five imaginative and beautifully written stories, ranging from romance to mystery, science fiction, and fantasy, recount Jane's struggle with identity and life goals.
Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index
by Julie Israel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After her sister Camilla's death, Juniper discovers that Camilla had a secret relationship. Can she figure out the person's identity and deliver her sister's unsent letter?
by Julie Israel
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After her sister Camilla's death, Juniper discovers that Camilla had a secret relationship. Can she figure out the person's identity and deliver her sister's unsent letter?
Kaleidoscope Song
by Fox Benwell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
South African teenager, Neo, lives for music, despite her parents' disapproval. She risks everything when she falls in love with a female band singer.
by Fox Benwell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
South African teenager, Neo, lives for music, despite her parents' disapproval. She risks everything when she falls in love with a female band singer.
Landscape with Invisible Hand
by M. T. Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC After an invasion of Earth by aliens obsessed with 1950s American culture, Adam, a 15-year-old artist, tries to adapt in this funny and wise tale.
by M. T. Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC After an invasion of Earth by aliens obsessed with 1950s American culture, Adam, a 15-year-old artist, tries to adapt in this funny and wise tale.
Life in a Fishbowl
by Len Vlahos
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Jackie, 15, struggles to expose the truth when a reality TV show exploits her father's terminal brain tumor. Told through multiple points of view, including the tumor.
by Len Vlahos
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Jackie, 15, struggles to expose the truth when a reality TV show exploits her father's terminal brain tumor. Told through multiple points of view, including the tumor.
Lighter Than My Shadow
written and illustrated by Katie Green
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Katie's picky eating habits evolve into an eating disorder with a challenging recovery. Black and white illustrations convey the emotional toll; resources in back.
written and illustrated by Katie Green
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Katie's picky eating habits evolve into an eating disorder with a challenging recovery. Black and white illustrations convey the emotional toll; resources in back.
Little & Lion
by Brandy Colbert
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Suzette returns to Los Angeles from her New England boarding school to help her bipolar stepbrother and confront her past mistakes.
by Brandy Colbert
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Suzette returns to Los Angeles from her New England boarding school to help her bipolar stepbrother and confront her past mistakes.
Long Way Down
by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After his older brother is murdered, 15-year-old Will sets out to exact revenge. His encounters on the elevator ride down might change his perspective.
by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After his older brother is murdered, 15-year-old Will sets out to exact revenge. His encounters on the elevator ride down might change his perspective.
Mars One
by Jonathan Maberry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seventeen-year-old Tristan, master mechanical engineer like his mother, joins a mission to colonize Mars and encounters life-threatening problems.
by Jonathan Maberry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seventeen-year-old Tristan, master mechanical engineer like his mother, joins a mission to colonize Mars and encounters life-threatening problems.
Meg & Linus
by Hanna Nowinski
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Meg can't handle the breakup with her girlfriend, and Linus can't find courage to ask out the new boy at school. Can these situations go from hopeless to hopeful?
by Hanna Nowinski
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Meg can't handle the breakup with her girlfriend, and Linus can't find courage to ask out the new boy at school. Can these situations go from hopeless to hopeful?
Midnight at the Electric
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Adri Ortiz is about to join a one-way Mars mission, but a 145-year-old tortoise and a postcard found in her cousin's house teach her about love and grief on earth.
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Adri Ortiz is about to join a one-way Mars mission, but a 145-year-old tortoise and a postcard found in her cousin's house teach her about love and grief on earth.
Missing
by Kelley Armstrong
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Winter dreams of college, medical school, and escaping her stifling Appalachian town as her best friend and sister did. Or did they escape?
by Kelley Armstrong
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Winter dreams of college, medical school, and escaping her stifling Appalachian town as her best friend and sister did. Or did they escape?
Moxie
written and illustrated by Jennifer Mathieu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
A shy, quiet teenage girl, angered by the treatment of girls by the boys and administration of her school, starts a revolution.
written and illustrated by Jennifer Mathieu
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
A shy, quiet teenage girl, angered by the treatment of girls by the boys and administration of her school, starts a revolution.
North of Happy
by Adi Alsaid
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Carlos's brother's death in Mexico City sends him away from his upper-class life on a “foodie” journey to the United States where his cooking skills shine.
by Adi Alsaid
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Carlos's brother's death in Mexico City sends him away from his upper-class life on a “foodie” journey to the United States where his cooking skills shine.
Noteworthy
by Riley Redgate
Illustrator: Ben Wiseman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When Jordan Sun isn't cast in her boarding school's musical because of her deep voice, she goes incognito to join an all-boys a cappella group.
by Riley Redgate
Illustrator: Ben Wiseman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
When Jordan Sun isn't cast in her boarding school's musical because of her deep voice, she goes incognito to join an all-boys a cappella group.
#NotYourPrincess
edited by Lisa Charleyboy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Through prose, poetry, and various art forms, indigenous girls and women explore their past and future, considering what it means to be a native woman.
edited by Lisa Charleyboy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Through prose, poetry, and various art forms, indigenous girls and women explore their past and future, considering what it means to be a native woman.
Now Is Everything
by Amy Giles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After surviving the plane crash that killed her parents, Hadley, 17, must publicly acknowledge the physical and emotional abuse her father inflicted on the family.
by Amy Giles
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
After surviving the plane crash that killed her parents, Hadley, 17, must publicly acknowledge the physical and emotional abuse her father inflicted on the family.
Optimists Die First
by Susin Nielsen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Petula wallows in guilt and pain from a past tragedy by obsessing about worst-case scenarios, until she meets Jacob, an optimist with his own dark secret.
by Susin Nielsen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Petula wallows in guilt and pain from a past tragedy by obsessing about worst-case scenarios, until she meets Jacob, an optimist with his own dark secret.
Poe: Stories and Poems
written and illustrated by Gareth Hinds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seven vivid and chilling representations of Edgar Allan Poe's greatest works with legends, footnotes and annotations.
written and illustrated by Gareth Hinds
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Seven vivid and chilling representations of Edgar Allan Poe's greatest works with legends, footnotes and annotations.
Poppies of Iraq
by Brigitte Findakly
Illustrator: Lewis Trondheim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
A memoir of a middle-class orthodox Christian girl living in Mosul during some of Iraq's most turbulent times. In graphic format with simple illustrations and family photographs.
by Brigitte Findakly
Illustrator: Lewis Trondheim
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
A memoir of a middle-class orthodox Christian girl living in Mosul during some of Iraq's most turbulent times. In graphic format with simple illustrations and family photographs.
Radio Silence
by Alice Oseman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Gaining admission to Cambridge University consumes Frances until her passion for an online podcast leads her to become immersed in the life of the podcast's creator.
by Alice Oseman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
Gaining admission to Cambridge University consumes Frances until her passion for an online podcast leads her to become immersed in the life of the podcast's creator.
Radium Girls
by Kate Moore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In the early 20th century, hundreds of girls painted watch dials with radium, unaware they were being slowly poisoned. Their suffering and bravery made medical, legal, and labor-relations history. Photographs, back matter.
by Kate Moore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
In the early 20th century, hundreds of girls painted watch dials with radium, unaware they were being slowly poisoned. Their suffering and bravery made medical, legal, and labor-relations history. Photographs, back matter.
Ramona Blue
by Julie Murphy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
One of only three gay kids in her beachside Mississippi town, Ramona reconnects with her childhood friend Freddie, who ignites feelings that reveal the fluidity of her sexuality.
by Julie Murphy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
One of only three gay kids in her beachside Mississippi town, Ramona reconnects with her childhood friend Freddie, who ignites feelings that reveal the fluidity of her sexuality.
Ready to Fall
by Marcella Pixley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC - After the death of his mother, things go haywire in Max's world until he transfers to a new high school and new relationships begin to help.
by Marcella Pixley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
ARC - After the death of his mother, things go haywire in Max's world until he transfers to a new high school and new relationships begin to help.
Rebel Seoul
by Axie Oh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
East Asia, 2199: Lee Jaewon, ex-gang member and talented pilot, worked his way through school. Now he wants only to prove his loyalty to the Neo State.
by Axie Oh
Ages: 14+
Published: 2017
East Asia, 2199: Lee Jaewon, ex-gang member and talented pilot, worked his way through school. Now he wants only to prove his loyalty to the Neo State.