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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Girl in Pieces
by Kathleen Glasgow
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Charlotte, 17, found naked, bleeding, and wrapped in a sheet in front of a hospital, is in rehab for self-harm. Can she ever learn to thrive?
by Kathleen Glasgow
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Charlotte, 17, found naked, bleeding, and wrapped in a sheet in front of a hospital, is in rehab for self-harm. Can she ever learn to thrive?
Girl in the Blue Coat
by Monica Hesse
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Hanneke is drawn into working for the Dutch Resistance in 1943, life under the Nazi occupation becomes even more dangerous.
by Monica Hesse
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Hanneke is drawn into working for the Dutch Resistance in 1943, life under the Nazi occupation becomes even more dangerous.
Golden Boys
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When a wealthy family moves into a working class neighborhood, their son's fancy toys attract local kids despite the sense of something sinister.
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When a wealthy family moves into a working class neighborhood, their son's fancy toys attract local kids despite the sense of something sinister.
Hidden
by Miriam Halahmy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fourteen-year-old Alix confronts racial prejudice and moral dilemmas when an illegal Iraqi immigrant washes up on the beach near her home.
by Miriam Halahmy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fourteen-year-old Alix confronts racial prejudice and moral dilemmas when an illegal Iraqi immigrant washes up on the beach near her home.
Highly Illogical Behavior
by John Corey Whaley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sixteen-year-old Solomon suffers from a severe anxiety disorder and hasn't left home for three years. Then Lisa enters his life. Is her friendship too good to be true?
by John Corey Whaley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sixteen-year-old Solomon suffers from a severe anxiety disorder and hasn't left home for three years. Then Lisa enters his life. Is her friendship too good to be true?
Hillary Rodham Clinton
by Karen Blumenthal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A smart, dedicated public servant takes on the problems of the nation and the world and faces the ups and downs of politics. Black-and-white photographs.
by Karen Blumenthal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A smart, dedicated public servant takes on the problems of the nation and the world and faces the ups and downs of politics. Black-and-white photographs.
Holding Up the Universe
by Jennifer Niven
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Libby was once named “America's fattest teen.” Jack is secretly face-blind. Can each be the answer to the other's loneliness?
by Jennifer Niven
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Libby was once named “America's fattest teen.” Jack is secretly face-blind. Can each be the answer to the other's loneliness?
In the Shadow of Liberty
by Kenneth C. Davis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The individual lives of those enslaved by America's revered early presidents come alive. Historical drawings, sources, and bibliography.
by Kenneth C. Davis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The individual lives of those enslaved by America's revered early presidents come alive. Historical drawings, sources, and bibliography.
I See Reality
compiled by Grace Kendall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sexual identity, racial identity, school violence and living as an undocumented immigrant are among the issues explored in this anthology of prose and graphic format fiction.
compiled by Grace Kendall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sexual identity, racial identity, school violence and living as an undocumented immigrant are among the issues explored in this anthology of prose and graphic format fiction.
It Looks Like This
by Rafi Mittlefehldt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When fourteen-year-old Mike moves to a new school, he confronts a different attitude towards his sexuality and his family's values.
by Rafi Mittlefehldt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When fourteen-year-old Mike moves to a new school, he confronts a different attitude towards his sexuality and his family's values.
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity
by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - On a road trip, 18-year-old transgender Jess and her best friend, overweight Christophe, confront their own insecurities about themselves and each other.
by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - On a road trip, 18-year-old transgender Jess and her best friend, overweight Christophe, confront their own insecurities about themselves and each other.
Julia Vanishes (The Witch's Child series)
by Catherine Egan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Julia, daughter of a drowned witch, can disappear at will, a handy talent for a spy and thief.
by Catherine Egan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Julia, daughter of a drowned witch, can disappear at will, a handy talent for a spy and thief.
Kids of Appetite
by David Arnold
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Vic, who has facial paralysis, befriends a ragtag crew of runaways. They set out to spread his father's ashes and confront their own demons.
by David Arnold
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Vic, who has facial paralysis, befriends a ragtag crew of runaways. They set out to spread his father's ashes and confront their own demons.
Learning to Swear in America
by Katie Kennedy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Can a seventeen-year-old physics prodigy from Russia convince NASA that he can prevent a devastating collision as an asteroid hustles toward Earth?
by Katie Kennedy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Can a seventeen-year-old physics prodigy from Russia convince NASA that he can prevent a devastating collision as an asteroid hustles toward Earth?
Lottery Boy
by Michael Byrne
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A 12-year-old living on the streets discovers he has a lottery ticket worth millions, but his dream-come-true quickly turns into a terrible nightmare.
by Michael Byrne
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A 12-year-old living on the streets discovers he has a lottery ticket worth millions, but his dream-come-true quickly turns into a terrible nightmare.
Lucky Few
by Kathryn Ormsbee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Home-schooled Stevie has a new neighbor, Max, who decides to fake his death 23 ways. Why does Stevie's best friend Sanger want to help?
by Kathryn Ormsbee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Home-schooled Stevie has a new neighbor, Max, who decides to fake his death 23 ways. Why does Stevie's best friend Sanger want to help?
Lucy and Linh
by Alice Pung
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Lucy, an immigrant from Vietnam, wins a prestigious scholarship, she must learn how to navigate the world of privilege without losing herself or her beloved heritage.
by Alice Pung
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Lucy, an immigrant from Vietnam, wins a prestigious scholarship, she must learn how to navigate the world of privilege without losing herself or her beloved heritage.
My Lady Jane
by Cynthia Hand
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A book-loving Lady Jane in Tudor England keeps her head with the help of her ferret self and her husband, a horse.
by Cynthia Hand
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A book-loving Lady Jane in Tudor England keeps her head with the help of her ferret self and her husband, a horse.
My Sister Rosa
by Justine Larbalestier
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC Che struggles to adjust to a new city, his first love, and his every-increasing fear that his younger sister, Rosa, is a dangerous psychopath.
by Justine Larbalestier
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC Che struggles to adjust to a new city, his first love, and his every-increasing fear that his younger sister, Rosa, is a dangerous psychopath.
Naked ‘76
by Kevin Brooks
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In this adventurous story, Lili narrates the rise and fall of her British punk-rock band, Naked, and the changes that come after an Irish guitarist joins them.
by Kevin Brooks
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In this adventurous story, Lili narrates the rise and fall of her British punk-rock band, Naked, and the changes that come after an Irish guitarist joins them.
On the Edge of Gone
by Corinne Duyvis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - In 2035 a life-ending comet hits earth. Sixteen-year-old Denise struggles to save her family and survive the catastrophe.
by Corinne Duyvis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - In 2035 a life-ending comet hits earth. Sixteen-year-old Denise struggles to save her family and survive the catastrophe.
Original Fake
by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Illustrator: E. Eero Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Loner artist Frankie struggles with his family when he helps a street artist renowned in his hometown near the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Graphic format sections.
by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Illustrator: E. Eero Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Loner artist Frankie struggles with his family when he helps a street artist renowned in his hometown near the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Graphic format sections.
Phantom Limbs
by Paula Garner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Phantom pain from Dara's amputated arm and the after effects of the tragic death of Otis's brother remain three years later in this story of loss and love.
by Paula Garner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Phantom pain from Dara's amputated arm and the after effects of the tragic death of Otis's brother remain three years later in this story of loss and love.
Radioactive!
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
This well-researched account examines the role of two women whose scientific research and discoveries led to the understanding and use of nuclear fission. Archival photographs, sources.
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
This well-researched account examines the role of two women whose scientific research and discoveries led to the understanding and use of nuclear fission. Archival photographs, sources.
Read Me Like a Book
by Liz Kessler
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Ashleigh Walker, 17, finds herself more and more attracted to her new, young English teacher, Miss Murray. But is she ready to come out as gay?
by Liz Kessler
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Ashleigh Walker, 17, finds herself more and more attracted to her new, young English teacher, Miss Murray. But is she ready to come out as gay?