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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Nine Days
by Fred Hiatt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When Ti-Anna's father disappears in Hong Kong, her friend Ethan suggests that they try to find him, never realizing the danger that lurks ahead.
by Fred Hiatt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When Ti-Anna's father disappears in Hong Kong, her friend Ethan suggests that they try to find him, never realizing the danger that lurks ahead.
Nix Minus One
by Jill MacLean
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Nix, a shy, introverted younger brother, tries to juggle family relationships among strict parents and a reckless sister. Free verse, set in a Newfoundland village.
by Jill MacLean
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Nix, a shy, introverted younger brother, tries to juggle family relationships among strict parents and a reckless sister. Free verse, set in a Newfoundland village.
OCD, The Dude, and Me
by Lauren Roedy Vaughn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Danielle, a high school senior, has shut herself off from others following a traumatic experience. Can going to a class to improve social skills really help her?
by Lauren Roedy Vaughn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Danielle, a high school senior, has shut herself off from others following a traumatic experience. Can going to a class to improve social skills really help her?
On Little Wings
by Regina Sirois
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When only child Jennifer discovers that she has an aunt living in Maine, she is determined to travel and uncover her mother's hidden past as well as her family.
by Regina Sirois
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When only child Jennifer discovers that she has an aunt living in Maine, she is determined to travel and uncover her mother's hidden past as well as her family.
Openly Straight
by Bill Konigsberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Rafe, an openly gay high school boy, moves to an East Coast boarding school to try living an“unlabeled” life in order to fit in.
by Bill Konigsberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Rafe, an openly gay high school boy, moves to an East Coast boarding school to try living an“unlabeled” life in order to fit in.
Out of Nowhere
by Maria Padian
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Tutoring students as part of his community service as retribution for a stupid prank, soccer star Tom becomes involved with the Somali in his small town in Maine.
by Maria Padian
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Tutoring students as part of his community service as retribution for a stupid prank, soccer star Tom becomes involved with the Somali in his small town in Maine.
Out of the Easy
by Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
In 1950s New Orleans, seventeen-year-old Josie is desperate to leave her prostitute mother, get a college education, and make a life outside the French Quarter.
by Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
In 1950s New Orleans, seventeen-year-old Josie is desperate to leave her prostitute mother, get a college education, and make a life outside the French Quarter.
Paper Valentine
by Brenna Yovanoff
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Can Hannah help catch a serial killer while she deals with her best friend's ghost and her new feelings for a dangerous boy?
by Brenna Yovanoff
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Can Hannah help catch a serial killer while she deals with her best friend's ghost and her new feelings for a dangerous boy?
Proxy
by Alex London
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When Syd, futuristic proxy to wealthy, reckless Knox, is sentenced to jail for Knox's crime, he attempts to escape. Whom can he trust?
by Alex London
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When Syd, futuristic proxy to wealthy, reckless Knox, is sentenced to jail for Knox's crime, he attempts to escape. Whom can he trust?
Red Handed
by Matt Kindt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
With homage to Dick Tracy, this collection of graphic stories deals with serious themes: crime and punishment, human relationships gone wrong, the nature of art, etc.
by Matt Kindt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
With homage to Dick Tracy, this collection of graphic stories deals with serious themes: crime and punishment, human relationships gone wrong, the nature of art, etc.
Roomies
by Sara Zarr
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Two future roommates meet via email and help each other through some complicated life changes during that last momentous summer before going away to college.
by Sara Zarr
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Two future roommates meet via email and help each other through some complicated life changes during that last momentous summer before going away to college.
Rose Under Fire
by Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
After escaping from a concentration camp, teenage pilot Rose struggles to process what has happened and vows to tell the world.
by Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
After escaping from a concentration camp, teenage pilot Rose struggles to process what has happened and vows to tell the world.
Shaking the Foundation
by Sylvia Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
The nature of Darwin's theory and of its opposition are examined. Black-and-white photos and illustrations. Extensive back matter and references.
by Sylvia Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
The nature of Darwin's theory and of its opposition are examined. Black-and-white photos and illustrations. Extensive back matter and references.
Somebody Up There Hates You
by Hollis Seamon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Richie and Sylvie, two teenagers in hospice, don't let terminal illness stop them from living their last days to the fullest in this hilarious and heartbreaking novel. Sexually explicit content.
by Hollis Seamon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Richie and Sylvie, two teenagers in hospice, don't let terminal illness stop them from living their last days to the fullest in this hilarious and heartbreaking novel. Sexually explicit content.
So Much It Hurts
by Monique Polak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
A seventeen-year-old aspiring actress falls in love with an older man. She makes excuses for his abusive behavior until she finally learns to “tender yourself more dearly.”
by Monique Polak
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
A seventeen-year-old aspiring actress falls in love with an older man. She makes excuses for his abusive behavior until she finally learns to “tender yourself more dearly.”
Stained
by Cheryl Rainfield
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Seventeen-year-old Sarah, born with a large birthmark on her face, creates comic book heroes to confront bullying and discovers her own courage when she is abducted.
by Cheryl Rainfield
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Seventeen-year-old Sarah, born with a large birthmark on her face, creates comic book heroes to confront bullying and discovers her own courage when she is abducted.
Steelheart
by Brandon Sanderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Super-powered Epics control what remains of the Fractured States of America. David wants nothing more than to take down the most powerful Epic of all - Steelheart.
by Brandon Sanderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Super-powered Epics control what remains of the Fractured States of America. David wants nothing more than to take down the most powerful Epic of all - Steelheart.
Still Star-Crossed
by Melinda Taub
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Romeo and Juliet have died, but Rosalind and Benvolio and other Capulets and Montagues still live. What happens next?
by Melinda Taub
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Romeo and Juliet have died, but Rosalind and Benvolio and other Capulets and Montagues still live. What happens next?
Strands of Bronze and Gold
by Jane Nickerson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
After the death of her father in 1855, seventeen-year-old Sophia is invited to live with her godfather at his gothic mansion in Mississippi.
by Jane Nickerson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
After the death of her father in 1855, seventeen-year-old Sophia is invited to live with her godfather at his gothic mansion in Mississippi.
The Boy on the Bridge
by Natalie Standiford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
In 1982, Laura, an American college student, spends a semester in Leningrad and has a romance with Alyosha, which adds an unexpected dimension to her growing experience.
by Natalie Standiford
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
In 1982, Laura, an American college student, spends a semester in Leningrad and has a romance with Alyosha, which adds an unexpected dimension to her growing experience.
The Clockwork Scarab (Stoker & Holmes series)
by Colleen Gleason
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker investigate the deaths of young women in the Society of Sekhmet and a visitor's appearance from the future.
by Colleen Gleason
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker investigate the deaths of young women in the Society of Sekhmet and a visitor's appearance from the future.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
by Holly Black
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Tana, seventeen, wakes up from a party in a house full of corpses save for Gavriel, a handsome vampire, and Aidan, her “infected” ex-boyfriend. Should she flee or try to save her friend?
by Holly Black
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Tana, seventeen, wakes up from a party in a house full of corpses save for Gavriel, a handsome vampire, and Aidan, her “infected” ex-boyfriend. Should she flee or try to save her friend?
The FitzOsbornes At War
by Michelle Cooper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Sophie and her family live in London while the war with the Nazis is raging.
by Michelle Cooper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Sophie and her family live in London while the war with the Nazis is raging.
The Language Inside
by Holly Thompson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
ARC When a fifteen-year-old leaves her childhood Japanese home for America, she learns the power of words. Told in a series of free verses.
by Holly Thompson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
ARC When a fifteen-year-old leaves her childhood Japanese home for America, she learns the power of words. Told in a series of free verses.
The Milk of Birds
by Sylvia Whitman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
A correspondence between a fifteen-year-old Sudanese girl in a refugee camp and a fourteen-year-old American girl with learning disabilities has surprising results.
by Sylvia Whitman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
A correspondence between a fifteen-year-old Sudanese girl in a refugee camp and a fourteen-year-old American girl with learning disabilities has surprising results.