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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Where You See Yourself
Claire Forrest
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Effie, a wheelchair user because of cerebral palsy, has always turned to her mother to help with disability-based issues. In senior year of high school, she begins to speak out for herself.
Claire Forrest
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Effie, a wheelchair user because of cerebral palsy, has always turned to her mother to help with disability-based issues. In senior year of high school, she begins to speak out for herself.
Women Who Built Hollywood, The: 12 Trailblazers in front of and behind the Camera
Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Quotes and archival photographs personalize the fascinating lives of 12 pioneering women of the early 20th century who were actresses, film editors, directors, stunt artists, and costumers—all activists against discrimination. Extensive back matter.
Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Quotes and archival photographs personalize the fascinating lives of 12 pioneering women of the early 20th century who were actresses, film editors, directors, stunt artists, and costumers—all activists against discrimination. Extensive back matter.
Writing in Color: Fourteen Writers on the Lessons We've Learned
Nafiza Azad and Melody Simpson, editors
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A generous, practical, and inspirational guide for fledgling writers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Covers craft, publishing, pitfalls, perseverance, and being true to who you are.
Nafiza Azad and Melody Simpson, editors
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
A generous, practical, and inspirational guide for fledgling writers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Covers craft, publishing, pitfalls, perseverance, and being true to who you are.
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass: The Graphic Novel
based on the novel by Meg Medina
Illustrator: adapted and illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Piddy is having a difficult time adjusting to teenagerhood and a new high school. Bullying and violence from a girl gang threaten to derail her goals. Blue, grey, black, and white pastel panels.
based on the novel by Meg Medina
Illustrator: adapted and illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
Piddy is having a difficult time adjusting to teenagerhood and a new high school. Bullying and violence from a girl gang threaten to derail her goals. Blue, grey, black, and white pastel panels.
Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay
Kelly McWilliams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
In Louisiana, Harriet battles racism and her own rage monster when a hite woman purchases the plantation next door and transforms it into a special events venue. Author's note.
Kelly McWilliams
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
In Louisiana, Harriet battles racism and her own rage monster when a hite woman purchases the plantation next door and transforms it into a special events venue. Author's note.
You: The Story
Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
An acclaimed novelist interweaves practical, encouraging advice on the craft of writing with examples that use episodes from her own life story. Writing prompts. References.
Ruta Sepetys
Ages: 14+
Published: 2023
An acclaimed novelist interweaves practical, encouraging advice on the craft of writing with examples that use episodes from her own life story. Writing prompts. References.
9:09 Project, The
Mark H. Parsons
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Jamison, 17, commemorates his mother by taking pictures of strangers at 9:09, the time she died. His skill at photography thrusts him into new situations.
Mark H. Parsons
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Jamison, 17, commemorates his mother by taking pictures of strangers at 9:09, the time she died. His skill at photography thrusts him into new situations.
Abuela, Don't Forget Me
Rex Ogle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Growing up queer in a loveless, abusive household, Rex turned to his grandmother for comfort and support. Now, as she is diminished by dementia, Rex shares their memories. Free verse.
Rex Ogle
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Growing up queer in a loveless, abusive household, Rex turned to his grandmother for comfort and support. Now, as she is diminished by dementia, Rex shares their memories. Free verse.
African Town
Charles Waters and Irene Latham, introduction by Jocelyn M. Davis
Illustrator: Vivian Shih - illustrations; Richard Amari - map
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The story of the last illegal slave ship, Clotilda, is told in 14 distinct voices. Variously styled free verse. Map and spot black-and-white illustrations. Ample back matter.
Charles Waters and Irene Latham, introduction by Jocelyn M. Davis
Illustrator: Vivian Shih - illustrations; Richard Amari - map
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The story of the last illegal slave ship, Clotilda, is told in 14 distinct voices. Variously styled free verse. Map and spot black-and-white illustrations. Ample back matter.
Agathas, The
Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Inspired by mystery writer Agatha Christie, two teens from opposite sides of the social divide unite to solve a classmate's murder, uncovering uncomfortable secrets about their seaside town. Back matter.
Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Inspired by mystery writer Agatha Christie, two teens from opposite sides of the social divide unite to solve a classmate's murder, uncovering uncomfortable secrets about their seaside town. Back matter.
Agent Most Wanted: The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II
Sonia Purnell
Illustrator: archival photographs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Despite her prosthetic lower leg, Virginia Hall joined Britain's Special Operations Executive, gathering intelligence about the Nazis and working with the French Resistance. Copious archival photographs. Back matter.
Sonia Purnell
Illustrator: archival photographs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Despite her prosthetic lower leg, Virginia Hall joined Britain's Special Operations Executive, gathering intelligence about the Nazis and working with the French Resistance. Copious archival photographs. Back matter.
All My Rage
Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Eighteen-year-old Salahudin, a Muslim living in a small California desert towns struggles to save the family motel while trying to protect his girlfriend Noor from abuse.
Sabaa Tahir
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Eighteen-year-old Salahudin, a Muslim living in a small California desert towns struggles to save the family motel while trying to protect his girlfriend Noor from abuse.
All That's Left in the World
Erik J. Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Two teenage boys survive a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the world's population. Their treacherous search for civilization brings challenging encounters with other survivors.
Erik J. Brown
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Two teenage boys survive a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the world's population. Their treacherous search for civilization brings challenging encounters with other survivors.
Amazona
Canizales
Illustrator: Canizales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Powerful red and black graphics depict an Indigenous Colombian woman's journey home to the rainforest to bury her daughter and gather information on the land's illegal exploitation.
Canizales
Illustrator: Canizales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Powerful red and black graphics depict an Indigenous Colombian woman's journey home to the rainforest to bury her daughter and gather information on the land's illegal exploitation.
Anne of Greenville
Mariko Tamaki
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In this Anne of Green Gables remake, a vivacious adopted multiracial lesbian high schooler and her two moms are confronted by hate in a new community.
Mariko Tamaki
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In this Anne of Green Gables remake, a vivacious adopted multiracial lesbian high schooler and her two moms are confronted by hate in a new community.
Anything But Fine
Tobias Madden
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
When Luca's foot shatters, so do his dreams of a professional ballet career. Will friendship with Indonesian Australian hijabi Amina and having a first boyfriend, Japanese Australian Jordan, help Luca rebuild his life?
Tobias Madden
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
When Luca's foot shatters, so do his dreams of a professional ballet career. Will friendship with Indonesian Australian hijabi Amina and having a first boyfriend, Japanese Australian Jordan, help Luca rebuild his life?
Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor's Life
Marilyn Nelson, afterword by Tammi Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Savage, a gifted Black sculptor and teacher, flourished during the 1930s Harlem Renaissance. Free verse and concrete poems. Photographs of Savages's sculptures. Back matter, biography.
Marilyn Nelson, afterword by Tammi Lawson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Savage, a gifted Black sculptor and teacher, flourished during the 1930s Harlem Renaissance. Free verse and concrete poems. Photographs of Savages's sculptures. Back matter, biography.
Beasts of Ruin
Ayana Gray
Illustrator: Virginia Allyn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Koffi was raised without knowledge of her magical Daraja heritage; Ekon escaped a heinous military order. Each, struggling with insecurities, nonetheless battles the god of death.
Ayana Gray
Illustrator: Virginia Allyn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Koffi was raised without knowledge of her magical Daraja heritage; Ekon escaped a heinous military order. Each, struggling with insecurities, nonetheless battles the god of death.
Beating Heart Baby
Lio Min
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After a chance encounter, multiracial, bisexual Santi and Japanese Korean American transgender Suwa orbit around each other until a cryptic past connection resurfaces. Music, anime, and chosen family rally behind them.
Lio Min
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After a chance encounter, multiracial, bisexual Santi and Japanese Korean American transgender Suwa orbit around each other until a cryptic past connection resurfaces. Music, anime, and chosen family rally behind them.
Berliners
Vesper Stamper
Illustrator: Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In the 1960s during the Cold War, 15-year-old twins wind up unhappily living in opposite sectors of divided Berlin. Black-and-white illustrations. Glossary, resources.
Vesper Stamper
Illustrator: Vesper Stamper
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In the 1960s during the Cold War, 15-year-old twins wind up unhappily living in opposite sectors of divided Berlin. Black-and-white illustrations. Glossary, resources.
Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World
Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The authors' lived experiences and interviews with 25 experts clarify the intersectionality of social justice issues for anyone interested in doing more than performative social media activism.
Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The authors' lived experiences and interviews with 25 experts clarify the intersectionality of social justice issues for anyone interested in doing more than performative social media activism.
Boys of the Beast
Monica Zepeda
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Three Latino cousins, strangers at first, take a trip together from Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Adventures abound as they discover truths about themselves and each other
Monica Zepeda
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Three Latino cousins, strangers at first, take a trip together from Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Adventures abound as they discover truths about themselves and each other
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer, adapted by Monique Gray Smith
Illustrator: Nicole Neidhardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
A botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation exhorts us to save our endangered planet, offering guidance on proven sustainable practices. Limited-palette illustrations. Bibliography, notes, index.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, adapted by Monique Gray Smith
Illustrator: Nicole Neidhardt
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
A botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation exhorts us to save our endangered planet, offering guidance on proven sustainable practices. Limited-palette illustrations. Bibliography, notes, index.
Breathe and Count Back from Ten
Natalia Sylvester
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After multiple surgeries due to hip dysplasia, Verónica, 17, struggles with overprotective Peruvian immigrant parents. Will a romance and the chance to swim in a mermaid-themed show allow her to gain control?
Natalia Sylvester
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After multiple surgeries due to hip dysplasia, Verónica, 17, struggles with overprotective Peruvian immigrant parents. Will a romance and the chance to swim in a mermaid-themed show allow her to gain control?
Button Pusher
Tyler Page
Illustrator: Tyler Page
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Poignant account of the author's youthful struggles as he tries to make sense of his impulsive behavior and his parents' tumultuous relationship. Colorful graphics. Includes information on ADHD.
Tyler Page
Illustrator: Tyler Page
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Poignant account of the author's youthful struggles as he tries to make sense of his impulsive behavior and his parents' tumultuous relationship. Colorful graphics. Includes information on ADHD.