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 Language of Stars
by Louise Hawes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sarah learns the magic of words and discovers herself when, as punishment for partying and trashing a poet's empty house, she must attend a poetry class.
by Louise Hawes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Sarah learns the magic of words and discovers herself when, as punishment for partying and trashing a poet's empty house, she must attend a poetry class.
The Last Boy and Girl in the World
by Siobhan Vivian
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
As a violent storm threatens to destroy her town, 17-year-old Keeley must decide what's worth saving and what to leave behind.
by Siobhan Vivian
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
As a violent storm threatens to destroy her town, 17-year-old Keeley must decide what's worth saving and what to leave behind.
The Last True Love Story
by Brendan Kiely
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Two 17-year-old Californians, struggling with difficult families and peers, begin a road trip “home” with a grandpa who suffers from Alzheimer's. Musical references.
by Brendan Kiely
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Two 17-year-old Californians, struggling with difficult families and peers, begin a road trip “home” with a grandpa who suffers from Alzheimer's. Musical references.
The Lie Tree
by Frances Hardinge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After the mysterious death of her father, a Victorian-era naturalist, Faith, 14, hopes that a strange fruit-bearing tree will lead her to his murderers.
by Frances Hardinge
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After the mysterious death of her father, a Victorian-era naturalist, Faith, 14, hopes that a strange fruit-bearing tree will lead her to his murderers.
The May Queen Murders
by Sarah Jude
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In a close-knit Ozark community, the long unsolved murder of a May Queen is revisited when the current May Queen goes missing.
by Sarah Jude
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In a close-knit Ozark community, the long unsolved murder of a May Queen is revisited when the current May Queen goes missing.
The Memory of Light
by Francisco X. Stork
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A tenth grader attempted suicide following her mother's death. Now in a psychiatric hospital, despite her father's objections, can she regain her desire to live?
by Francisco X. Stork
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
A tenth grader attempted suicide following her mother's death. Now in a psychiatric hospital, despite her father's objections, can she regain her desire to live?
The Passion of Dolssa
by Julie Berry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - In 13th century France, a monk uncovers a disturbing tale of the persecution of a mystic, labeled a heretic, and those who aided her.
by Julie Berry
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - In 13th century France, a monk uncovers a disturbing tale of the persecution of a mystic, labeled a heretic, and those who aided her.
The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold series)
by Traci Chee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After her father's murder and her aunt's kidnapping, Sefia guards the treasure left behind: a book that tells the future. Magic, adventure, mystery combine.
by Traci Chee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
After her father's murder and her aunt's kidnapping, Sefia guards the treasure left behind: a book that tells the future. Magic, adventure, mystery combine.
The Scythe
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Rowan and Citra, both 16, are chosen to apprentice as sanctioned killers, called Scythes, in a future society where humans no longer die otherwise.
by Neal Shusterman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Rowan and Citra, both 16, are chosen to apprentice as sanctioned killers, called Scythes, in a future society where humans no longer die otherwise.
The Serpent King
by Jeff Zentner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In rural Tennessee, three high school seniors considered outcast, confront their past, present, and future as they test the meaning of their friendships.
by Jeff Zentner
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In rural Tennessee, three high school seniors considered outcast, confront their past, present, and future as they test the meaning of their friendships.
The Smell of Other People's Houses
by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Four teenagers in Alaska confront a variety of hard realities and difficult decisions, but also find loving support - sometimes from unexpected sources. Finely detailed black-and-white illustrations.
by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Four teenagers in Alaska confront a variety of hard realities and difficult decisions, but also find loving support - sometimes from unexpected sources. Finely detailed black-and-white illustrations.
The Sun Is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An unlikely series of events unite Natasha, an undocumented Jamaican immigrant being deported, and Daniel, a Korean-American going to a college admissions interview, changing both forever.
by Nicola Yoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An unlikely series of events unite Natasha, an undocumented Jamaican immigrant being deported, and Daniel, a Korean-American going to a college admissions interview, changing both forever.
The Unexpected Everything
by Morgan Matson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When her dad's political career is derailed by scandal, it costs Andie her place in the prestigious Young Scholars Program. Now what?
by Morgan Matson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When her dad's political career is derailed by scandal, it costs Andie her place in the prestigious Young Scholars Program. Now what?
The Way I Used to Be
by Amber Smith
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The trauma of her rape at 14 by her brother's best friend sends Eden on a downward spiral that lasts until she is finally forced to break her silence.
by Amber Smith
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
The trauma of her rape at 14 by her brother's best friend sends Eden on a downward spiral that lasts until she is finally forced to break her silence.
This Is My Brain on Boys
by Sarah Strohmeyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
To win a college scholarship, Addie tries to prove scientifically that love can be controlled. The experiment fails when Addie develops romantic feelings.
by Sarah Strohmeyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
To win a college scholarship, Addie tries to prove scientifically that love can be controlled. The experiment fails when Addie develops romantic feelings.
Three Dark Crowns
by Kendare Blake
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Triplet sisters, separated as children, vie for the crown of the kingdom. Only one can survive to rule. First in a new series.
by Kendare Blake
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Triplet sisters, separated as children, vie for the crown of the kingdom. Only one can survive to rule. First in a new series.
Traitor Angels
by Anne Blankman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In 1666 England, Elizabeth faces a choice. If she saves her father, John Milton, she may tear apart the very fabric of society.
by Anne Blankman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
In 1666 England, Elizabeth faces a choice. If she saves her father, John Milton, she may tear apart the very fabric of society.
True Letters from a Fictional Life
by Kenneth Logan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Popular, with a girlfriend, James writes letters about being gay, never int ending to send them. The letters out, James, his friends, and family cope with warmth and humor.
by Kenneth Logan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Popular, with a girlfriend, James writes letters about being gay, never int ending to send them. The letters out, James, his friends, and family cope with warmth and humor.
Twenty Questions for Gloria
by Martyn Bedford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Why did 15-year-old Gloria run away with a 15-year-old boy who is a virtual stranger? Her parents and the police seek answers.
by Martyn Bedford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Why did 15-year-old Gloria run away with a 15-year-old boy who is a virtual stranger? Her parents and the police seek answers.
Unbecoming
by Jenny Downham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - Seventeen-year-old Katie's family undergoes profound changes when her estranged grandmother, suffering from Alzheimer's, suddenly appears after a long absence. Set in the U.K.
by Jenny Downham
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - Seventeen-year-old Katie's family undergoes profound changes when her estranged grandmother, suffering from Alzheimer's, suddenly appears after a long absence. Set in the U.K.
Underwater
by Marisa Reichardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Seventeen-year-old Morgan, crippled by panic attacks after witnessing a school shooting, learns to engage with the outside world again.
by Marisa Reichardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
Seventeen-year-old Morgan, crippled by panic attacks after witnessing a school shooting, learns to engage with the outside world again.
Unscripted Joss Byrd
by Lygia Day Peñaflor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - Twelve-year-old Joss is a rising star, but her latest movie role about the uncomfortable past of her director makes her re-examine the people around her, the industry, and herself.
by Lygia Day Peñaflor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
ARC - Twelve-year-old Joss is a rising star, but her latest movie role about the uncomfortable past of her director makes her re-examine the people around her, the industry, and herself.
Up to this Pointe
by Jennifer Longo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Harper's dream of a professional ballet career falls apart, a science internship at the South Pole provides the time and distance to reevaluate her future.
by Jennifer Longo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
When Harper's dream of a professional ballet career falls apart, a science internship at the South Pole provides the time and distance to reevaluate her future.
We Are the Ants
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An alien abduction reveals to Henry Denton, an ordinary teen facing complex relationships, that he has 144 days to decide whether to prevent Earth's destruction.
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
An alien abduction reveals to Henry Denton, an ordinary teen facing complex relationships, that he has 144 days to decide whether to prevent Earth's destruction.
We Were Never Here
by Jennifer Gilmore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
As 16-year-old Lizzie struggles to come to terms with an illness, she befriends Connor, an attractive volunteer who has challenges of his own.
by Jennifer Gilmore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2016
As 16-year-old Lizzie struggles to come to terms with an illness, she befriends Connor, an attractive volunteer who has challenges of his own.