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 Story of Us
by Deb Caletti
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
During the family's week-long celebrations of her mother's remarriage, seventeen-year-old Cricket finds it difficult to make decisions about her own future.
by Deb Caletti
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
During the family's week-long celebrations of her mother's remarriage, seventeen-year-old Cricket finds it difficult to make decisions about her own future.
The Theory of Everything
by J. J. Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Distraught over the accidental death of her best friend, Sarah overcomes her pain when she gains an understanding of grief from others experiencing similar losses.
by J. J. Johnson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Distraught over the accidental death of her best friend, Sarah overcomes her pain when she gains an understanding of grief from others experiencing similar losses.
The Turning
by Francine Prose
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Jack's summer job on an isolated island taking care of two unusual children becomes a confusing, unresolved nightmare of ghosts and a past tragedy.
by Francine Prose
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Jack's summer job on an isolated island taking care of two unusual children becomes a confusing, unresolved nightmare of ghosts and a past tragedy.
The Wicked and the Just
by J. Anderson Coats
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In medieval Wales, the tale of Cecily, pampered daughter of the victorious English invaders, is colorfully interwoven with that of her servant Gwenhwyfar, daughter of the unsubmissive Welsh.
by J. Anderson Coats
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In medieval Wales, the tale of Cecily, pampered daughter of the victorious English invaders, is colorfully interwoven with that of her servant Gwenhwyfar, daughter of the unsubmissive Welsh.
The Wild Queen
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Mary of Scotland is sent to France to live until she and the dauphin are old enough to marry. When she returns as Queen, those she trusted betray her.
by Carolyn Meyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Mary of Scotland is sent to France to live until she and the dauphin are old enough to marry. When she returns as Queen, those she trusted betray her.
This Is So Not Happening
by Kieran Scott
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Senior year isn't easy when you're pregnant -- especially not when the father is someone else's boyfriend. (Final book of the He's So/She's So trilogy)
by Kieran Scott
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Senior year isn't easy when you're pregnant -- especially not when the father is someone else's boyfriend. (Final book of the He's So/She's So trilogy)
Three Little Words
by Sarah N. Harvey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Sid, raised by foster parents, learns that he has a troubled half-brother who has run away, and embarks on a journey to help find him.
by Sarah N. Harvey
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Sid, raised by foster parents, learns that he has a troubled half-brother who has run away, and embarks on a journey to help find him.
Tiger Lily
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily's infatuation with Peter endangers the Sky Eaters in a tale that brings twenty-first century psychology to J. M. Barrie's classic.
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily's infatuation with Peter endangers the Sky Eaters in a tale that brings twenty-first century psychology to J. M. Barrie's classic.
Trafficked
by Kim Purcell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Hannah travels from Moldava to the United States to work as a nanny, believing she will find a better life.
by Kim Purcell
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Sixteen-year-old Hannah travels from Moldava to the United States to work as a nanny, believing she will find a better life.
True Blue
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Seventeen-year-old Jess struggles to reconcile her desire for popularity with her feelings of loyalty when her best friend is accused of murder.
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Seventeen-year-old Jess struggles to reconcile her desire for popularity with her feelings of loyalty when her best friend is accused of murder.
Various Positions
by Martha Schabas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
After fourteen-year-old Georgia is accepted into a prestigious ballet academy, she struggles with questions about body image, discipline, sex, and feelings for the artistic director.
by Martha Schabas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
After fourteen-year-old Georgia is accepted into a prestigious ballet academy, she struggles with questions about body image, discipline, sex, and feelings for the artistic director.
Angry Young Man
by Chris Lynch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Hardworking and popular, Robert tries to help his loner brother, Alexander, but gets drawn into a dangerous group of teenaged extremists.
by Chris Lynch
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Hardworking and popular, Robert tries to help his loner brother, Alexander, but gets drawn into a dangerous group of teenaged extremists.
Beautiful Days
by Anna Godbersen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
It's 1929 and Letty, Astrid, and Cordelia are set on making it big in New York. But are they willing to fulfill their dreams at any cost?
by Anna Godbersen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
It's 1929 and Letty, Astrid, and Cordelia are set on making it big in New York. But are they willing to fulfill their dreams at any cost?
Between
by Jessica Warman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
When Elizabeth, a popular and privileged eighteen-year-old, wakes up on her family's boat after her birthday celebration, she realizes that her life is literally over.
by Jessica Warman
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
When Elizabeth, a popular and privileged eighteen-year-old, wakes up on her family's boat after her birthday celebration, she realizes that her life is literally over.
Blood Red Road
by Moira Young
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Saba's journey from middle child to warrior and rescuer occurs quickly, yet realistically, in this futuristic love story.
by Moira Young
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Saba's journey from middle child to warrior and rescuer occurs quickly, yet realistically, in this futuristic love story.
Boyfriends with Girlfriends
by Alex Sanchez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Four teens discover new friendships and dating relationships as they explore and struggle with their sexual identities.
by Alex Sanchez
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Four teens discover new friendships and dating relationships as they explore and struggle with their sexual identities.
Bullet Point
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Wyatt confronts the biological father he has never seen and must decide whether his father's imprisonment is justified.
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Wyatt confronts the biological father he has never seen and must decide whether his father's imprisonment is justified.
Bunheads
written by Sophie Flack
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A gifted dancer, Hannah moves to New York City and begins the demanding, self-sacrificing life of a professional. At nineteen she wonders if she has made the right choice.
written by Sophie Flack
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A gifted dancer, Hannah moves to New York City and begins the demanding, self-sacrificing life of a professional. At nineteen she wonders if she has made the right choice.
Chime
by Franny Billingsley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Is Briony responsible for her stepmother's death and her sister's collapse? A wild fantasy explored in exultant language.
by Franny Billingsley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Is Briony responsible for her stepmother's death and her sister's collapse? A wild fantasy explored in exultant language.
Clean
by Amy Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Five very different teens come together in rehab to learn about themselves and what's really important in life.
by Amy Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Five very different teens come together in rehab to learn about themselves and what's really important in life.
Cryer's Cross
by Lisa McMann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Soccer and dancing comprise Kendall's passions. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder both limits and helps her after two schoolmates, one her best friend, disappear.
by Lisa McMann
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Soccer and dancing comprise Kendall's passions. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder both limits and helps her after two schoolmates, one her best friend, disappear.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Karou runs mysterious errands for her non-human foster family and discovers clues to her origins.
by Laini Taylor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Seventeen-year-old Karou runs mysterious errands for her non-human foster family and discovers clues to her origins.
Exposed
by Kimberly Marcus
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A slumber party gone wrong threatens the “forever-best” friendship of Liz and Kate. A difficult theme is sensitively explored in blank verse.
by Kimberly Marcus
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A slumber party gone wrong threatens the “forever-best” friendship of Liz and Kate. A difficult theme is sensitively explored in blank verse.
Falling for Hamlet
written by Michelle Ray
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A many-layered modern interpretation of Shakespeare's revenge tragedy told through the eyes of an appealing Ophelia who, here, doesn't drown, but presents an account close to that in the Elizabethan play.
written by Michelle Ray
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
A many-layered modern interpretation of Shakespeare's revenge tragedy told through the eyes of an appealing Ophelia who, here, doesn't drown, but presents an account close to that in the Elizabethan play.
Gemini Bites
by Patrick Ryan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Kyle and Judy are fraternal twins with sibling issues to resolve, including their mutual attraction to Garret who may be a vampire.
by Patrick Ryan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2011
Kyle and Judy are fraternal twins with sibling issues to resolve, including their mutual attraction to Garret who may be a vampire.