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 Orphan Queen
by Jodi Meadows
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After her parents and homeland were destroyed in a war, Princess Wilhelmina leads a band of orphaned youth on missions to reestablish their kingdom.
by Jodi Meadows
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After her parents and homeland were destroyed in a war, Princess Wilhelmina leads a band of orphaned youth on missions to reestablish their kingdom.
The Prisoners of Breendonk
by James M. Deem
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Carefully researched accounts of the horror of a little-known World War II concentration camp are supported by archival and contemporary photographs and documents.
by James M. Deem
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Carefully researched accounts of the horror of a little-known World War II concentration camp are supported by archival and contemporary photographs and documents.
The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion
by Chris McCoy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Bennett's dream-come-true of taking Sophie to the prom turns into a nightmare when she is abducted by aliens. Can he rescue her?
by Chris McCoy
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Bennett's dream-come-true of taking Sophie to the prom turns into a nightmare when she is abducted by aliens. Can he rescue her?
The Rest of Us Just Live Here
by Patrick Ness
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
While the “indie kids” are fighting zombies or ghosts, high school seniors Mikey and his friends live their lives, which are anything but ordinary and uneventful.
by Patrick Ness
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
While the “indie kids” are fighting zombies or ghosts, high school seniors Mikey and his friends live their lives, which are anything but ordinary and uneventful.
There Will Be Lies
by Nick Lake
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Seventeen-year-old Shelby discovers a profoundly disturbing secret that changes everything she thought she knew about her life. A fascinating blend of grim reality, folklore, and fantasy.
by Nick Lake
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Seventeen-year-old Shelby discovers a profoundly disturbing secret that changes everything she thought she knew about her life. A fascinating blend of grim reality, folklore, and fantasy.
The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly
by Stephanie Oakes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Minnow escapes from the brutal cult where she was raised only to find herself locked up in juvenile hall, where she learns how to be free.
by Stephanie Oakes
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Minnow escapes from the brutal cult where she was raised only to find herself locked up in juvenile hall, where she learns how to be free.
The Scorpion Rules
by Erin Bow
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After conflict and climate change devastate Earth, robots enforce a system created by the leaders of the planet to ensure the survival of humanity. But everything comes at a price.
by Erin Bow
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After conflict and climate change devastate Earth, robots enforce a system created by the leaders of the planet to ensure the survival of humanity. But everything comes at a price.
The Secret of the Golden Flower
by Caroline Stellings
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Sixteen-year-old Nicki, born in China and highly trained in martial arts, puts her skills to work as a spy in training in the United Kingdom.
by Caroline Stellings
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Sixteen-year-old Nicki, born in China and highly trained in martial arts, puts her skills to work as a spy in training in the United Kingdom.
These Shallow Graves
by Jennifer Donnelly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
In 1890 in New York City, a wealthy, privileged upper class girl learns the bitter truth about living in poverty, as she searches for answers to her father's sudden death.
by Jennifer Donnelly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
In 1890 in New York City, a wealthy, privileged upper class girl learns the bitter truth about living in poverty, as she searches for answers to her father's sudden death.
The Start of Me and You
by Emery Lord
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
One year after Page's boyfriend dies in a swimming accident, she struggles to redefine herself. Strong female friendships and a new love interest help her heal.
by Emery Lord
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
One year after Page's boyfriend dies in a swimming accident, she struggles to redefine herself. Strong female friendships and a new love interest help her heal.
The Tightrope Walkers
by David Almond
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Set in the shipbuilding area of northern England after World War II, Dom Hall struggles to rise above poverty and a life of drudgery in the bowels of ships.
by David Almond
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Set in the shipbuilding area of northern England after World War II, Dom Hall struggles to rise above poverty and a life of drudgery in the bowels of ships.
The Truth Commission
by Susan Juby
Illustrator: Trevor Cooper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Normandy, an artistic high school student, chronicles her involvement with her best friends in searching for the truth and discovering unanticipated consequences. Intermittent black-and-white ink drawings.
by Susan Juby
Illustrator: Trevor Cooper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Normandy, an artistic high school student, chronicles her involvement with her best friends in searching for the truth and discovering unanticipated consequences. Intermittent black-and-white ink drawings.
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
by Teresa Toten
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Fifteen-year-old Adam, struggling with OCD, tries to be a hero to everyone he loves, but...
by Teresa Toten
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Fifteen-year-old Adam, struggling with OCD, tries to be a hero to everyone he loves, but...
The Walls Around Us
by Nova Ren Suma
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When the lives of three teenage girls intersect at a juvenile detention center, their secrets and lies are revealed. A skillful blend of psychological thriller with the supernatural.
by Nova Ren Suma
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When the lives of three teenage girls intersect at a juvenile detention center, their secrets and lies are revealed. A skillful blend of psychological thriller with the supernatural.
The Wrong Side of Right
by Jenn Marie Thorne
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After her mother's death, Kate discovers the father she never knew is a candidate for president. Kate joins his family and life in the political fishbowl.
by Jenn Marie Thorne
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After her mother's death, Kate discovers the father she never knew is a candidate for president. Kate joins his family and life in the political fishbowl.
Trouble is a Friend of Mine
by Stephanie Tromly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
With the help of sidekick Zoe, intrepid, resourceful, witty Digby succeeds in busting a drug ring. Can he solve the mystery of his kid sister's disappearance?
by Stephanie Tromly
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
With the help of sidekick Zoe, intrepid, resourceful, witty Digby succeeds in busting a drug ring. Can he solve the mystery of his kid sister's disappearance?
Under a Painted Sky
by Stacey Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Two girls, a runaway slave and a Chinese American accused of murder, disguise themselves as boys as they set out on the Oregon Trail on a journey filled with danger, racism, and dreams.
by Stacey Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
Two girls, a runaway slave and a Chinese American accused of murder, disguise themselves as boys as they set out on the Oregon Trail on a journey filled with danger, racism, and dreams.
Untwine
by Edwidge Danticat
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After a terrible automobile collision, 16-year-old Giselle wakes up unable to communicate or ask about the fate of her parents or her identical twin.
by Edwidge Danticat
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
After a terrible automobile collision, 16-year-old Giselle wakes up unable to communicate or ask about the fate of her parents or her identical twin.
Violent Ends
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
What turns a high school senior into a cold-blooded killer? Seventeen different authors seek the answer.
by Shaun David Hutchinson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
What turns a high school senior into a cold-blooded killer? Seventeen different authors seek the answer.
Walk on Earth a Stranger
by Rae Carson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
A resourceful young girl, with the magic gift of sensing hold around her, disguises herself as a boy to escape her murderous uncle and joins the rugged trek to California Gold Country.
by Rae Carson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
A resourceful young girl, with the magic gift of sensing hold around her, disguises herself as a boy to escape her murderous uncle and joins the rugged trek to California Gold Country.
We All Looked Up
by Tommy Wallach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
With a meteorite hurtling toward earth, four friends decide how to live their last two months.
by Tommy Wallach
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
With a meteorite hurtling toward earth, four friends decide how to live their last two months.
What We Saw
by Aaron Hartzler
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When a sexual assault occurs at a high school party, friendships are tested and an entire town becomes engulfed in controversy.
by Aaron Hartzler
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When a sexual assault occurs at a high school party, friendships are tested and an entire town becomes engulfed in controversy.
Whippoorwill
by Joseph Monninger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
In rural New Hampshire, as Claire and Danny bond over training a mistreated dog, Claire senses that something troubling is happening in Danny's life.
by Joseph Monninger
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
In rural New Hampshire, as Claire and Danny bond over training a mistreated dog, Claire senses that something troubling is happening in Danny's life.
Written in the Stars
by Aisha Saeed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When her conservative Pakistani parents discover seventeen-year-old Naila is seeing a boy, they suddenly visit Pakistan where they try to force her into an arranged marriage.-
by Aisha Saeed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
When her conservative Pakistani parents discover seventeen-year-old Naila is seeing a boy, they suddenly visit Pakistan where they try to force her into an arranged marriage.-
X, a Novel
by Ilyasah Shabazz
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
This fictionalized account of Malcolm X's early life portrays his hardships and challenges, including loss of his parents, a fractured family, limited education, and six years in jail.
by Ilyasah Shabazz
Ages: 14+
Published: 2015
This fictionalized account of Malcolm X's early life portrays his hardships and challenges, including loss of his parents, a fractured family, limited education, and six years in jail.