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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Rebel, Bully, Geek, Pariah
by Erin Jade Lange
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When police break up a party in the woods, geeky Sam and rebellious Andi escape with two boys in a stolen police car filled with drugs.
by Erin Jade Lange
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When police break up a party in the woods, geeky Sam and rebellious Andi escape with two boys in a stolen police car filled with drugs.
Red Ink
by Julie Mayhew
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fifteen-year-old Melon must come to terms with the sudden accidental death of her mother as she unravels the various “stories” of her Greek heritage.
by Julie Mayhew
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fifteen-year-old Melon must come to terms with the sudden accidental death of her mother as she unravels the various “stories” of her Greek heritage.
Replica
by Lauren Oliver
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Gemma and Lyra's stories unite in this dual-book format as both girls learn how they are linked through the unethical Haven Institute.
by Lauren Oliver
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Gemma and Lyra's stories unite in this dual-book format as both girls learn how they are linked through the unethical Haven Institute.
Reproductive Rights: Who Decides?
by Vicki Oransky Wittenstein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A well-researched review of historical practice and differing attitudes over the centuries about birth control and abortion. Photographs and extensive back matter.
by Vicki Oransky Wittenstein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A well-researched review of historical practice and differing attitudes over the centuries about birth control and abortion. Photographs and extensive back matter.
Saving Hamlet
by Molly Booth
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Assistant stage manager, Emma time-travels to sixteenth century England to gain insights into Shakespeare's masterpiece and thereby shore up her high school's creaky production.
by Molly Booth
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Assistant stage manager, Emma time-travels to sixteenth century England to gain insights into Shakespeare's masterpiece and thereby shore up her high school's creaky production.
Seven Ways We Lie
by Riley Redgate
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The Paloma High School experience is ordinary yet life-changing, as told from the perspectives of seven students struggling to come into their own.
by Riley Redgate
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The Paloma High School experience is ordinary yet life-changing, as told from the perspectives of seven students struggling to come into their own.
Shallow Graves
by Kali Wallace
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After murdered high school senior Breezy becomes a revenant, she struggles to come to terms with what it means to be undead.
by Kali Wallace
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After murdered high school senior Breezy becomes a revenant, she struggles to come to terms with what it means to be undead.
Still Life with Tornado
by A.S. King
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sarah, an art student, suddenly can't draw. Is it something she saw in class, or her parents' deteriorating relationship? Why did her brother walk out six years ago?
by A.S. King
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sarah, an art student, suddenly can't draw. Is it something she saw in class, or her parents' deteriorating relationship? Why did her brother walk out six years ago?
Symptoms of Being Human
by Jeff Garvin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Blogging anonymously helps gender-fluid Riley cope with isolation and terrifying anxiety attacks - until the blog goes viral and Riley fears being outed and abused.
by Jeff Garvin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Blogging anonymously helps gender-fluid Riley cope with isolation and terrifying anxiety attacks - until the blog goes viral and Riley fears being outed and abused.
Teen Incarceration
by Patrick Jones
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The social, legal, political, and scientific history of the juvenile justice system has shaped the current movement toward alternatives to incarceration. Archival photos, extensive back matter.
by Patrick Jones
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The social, legal, political, and scientific history of the juvenile justice system has shaped the current movement toward alternatives to incarceration. Archival photos, extensive back matter.
Tell Me Three Things
by Julie Buxbaum
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Can Jessie trust the anonymous person who e-mails with offers to befriend her at her new high school?
by Julie Buxbaum
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Can Jessie trust the anonymous person who e-mails with offers to befriend her at her new high school?
Tell Us Something True
by Dana Reinhardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After being dumped by his girlfriend, River wanders into a teen support center, pretending to be an addict, and finally deals with his issues of abandonment.
by Dana Reinhardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After being dumped by his girlfriend, River wanders into a teen support center, pretending to be an addict, and finally deals with his issues of abandonment.
Thanks for the Trouble
by Tommy Wallach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A loner unable to speak since the death of his father five years earlier, seventeen-year-old Parker re-engages when he becomes involved with a beautiful young girl who may be older than she seems.
by Tommy Wallach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A loner unable to speak since the death of his father five years earlier, seventeen-year-old Parker re-engages when he becomes involved with a beautiful young girl who may be older than she seems.
The Art of Not Breathing
by Sarah Alexander
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
16-year-old Elsie's twin brother disappeared five years ago at Rosemarkie Beach. She thought she remembered it well, but new images keep appearing to her. What really happened?
by Sarah Alexander
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
16-year-old Elsie's twin brother disappeared five years ago at Rosemarkie Beach. She thought she remembered it well, but new images keep appearing to her. What really happened?
The Bitter Side of Sweet
by Tara Sullivan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Two brothers, 15 and eight, slave laborers on cacao plantations on the Ivory Coast of Africa, rediscover freedom when a new girl arrives.
by Tara Sullivan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Two brothers, 15 and eight, slave laborers on cacao plantations on the Ivory Coast of Africa, rediscover freedom when a new girl arrives.
The Borden Murders
by Sarah Miller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Did she kill her parents with an axe or not? Follow newspaper accounts and courtroom proceedings of the sensational 1892 crime. Photographs and notes.
by Sarah Miller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Did she kill her parents with an axe or not? Follow newspaper accounts and courtroom proceedings of the sensational 1892 crime. Photographs and notes.
The Dark Days Club
by Alison Goodman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In 1812 London, eighteen-year-old Lady Helen has to decide whether to pursue her paranormal powers to defeat evil or marry a privileged nobleman.
by Alison Goodman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In 1812 London, eighteen-year-old Lady Helen has to decide whether to pursue her paranormal powers to defeat evil or marry a privileged nobleman.
The Darkest Corner of the World
by Urve Tamberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fifteen-year-old Madli confronts the physical and emotional horrors of war when her country, Estonia, is occupied by the Soviets during World War II.
by Urve Tamberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Fifteen-year-old Madli confronts the physical and emotional horrors of war when her country, Estonia, is occupied by the Soviets during World War II.
The Darkest Corners
by Kara Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Tessa returns to her hometown nine years after a traumatic event. a new dangerous mystery materializes.
by Kara Thomas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Tessa returns to her hometown nine years after a traumatic event. a new dangerous mystery materializes.
The Distance Between Us
by Reyna Grande
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Despite a childhood of hardships, poverty, and unreliable, troubled parents, the author, an illegal immigrant to the U.S. from Mexico, thrives as a writer.
by Reyna Grande
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Despite a childhood of hardships, poverty, and unreliable, troubled parents, the author, an illegal immigrant to the U.S. from Mexico, thrives as a writer.
The Forbidden Orchid
by Sharon Biggs Waller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In the late 19th century, Elodie must save both her father and her family by traveling from England to China in search of a rare orchid.
by Sharon Biggs Waller
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In the late 19th century, Elodie must save both her father and her family by traveling from England to China in search of a rare orchid.
The Forbidden Wish
by Jessica Khoury
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When a powerful Jinni becomes linked to a poor boy, three wishes become a path to freedom and betrayal. A lush retelling of Aladdin's story.
by Jessica Khoury
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When a powerful Jinni becomes linked to a poor boy, three wishes become a path to freedom and betrayal. A lush retelling of Aladdin's story.
The Girl I Used to Be
by April Henry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Olivia's mother was killed 14 years ago. When new evidence reveals her father, who had disappeared, is also dead, Olivia is determined to discover the murderer.
by April Henry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Olivia's mother was killed 14 years ago. When new evidence reveals her father, who had disappeared, is also dead, Olivia is determined to discover the murderer.
The Head of the Saint
by Socorro Acioli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An orphaned Brazilian boy sets off to find family he has never known. A statue's head offers refuge and access to sounds that give him power.
by Socorro Acioli
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An orphaned Brazilian boy sets off to find family he has never known. A statue's head offers refuge and access to sounds that give him power.
The Incident on the Bridge
by Laura McNeal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The last time anyone saw seventeen-year-old Thisbe Locke, she was standing by the side of a car on a bridge. Did she jump?
by Laura McNeal
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The last time anyone saw seventeen-year-old Thisbe Locke, she was standing by the side of a car on a bridge. Did she jump?