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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Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin, The
Kip Wilson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In 1932 homeless, penniless, and orphaned Hilde, 18, finds a friend and a home working at the Café Lila, a gay bar in Berlin. Free verse. Back matter.
Kip Wilson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In 1932 homeless, penniless, and orphaned Hilde, 18, finds a friend and a home working at the Café Lila, a gay bar in Berlin. Free verse. Back matter.
My Good Man
Eric Gansworth (Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ)
Illustrator: Eric Gansworth (Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ)
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After being viciously assaulted on the Tuscarora reservation, Brian, now a local journalist, reflects on his family and cultural relationships and uncovers the truth of what really happened. Elaborate greyscale illustrations.
Eric Gansworth (Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ)
Illustrator: Eric Gansworth (Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ)
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
After being viciously assaulted on the Tuscarora reservation, Brian, now a local journalist, reflects on his family and cultural relationships and uncovers the truth of what really happened. Elaborate greyscale illustrations.
My Imaginary Mary
Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Ada Lovelace, mathematical genius, and Mary Shelley, esteemed writer, attempt to create a living creature as they face perils and dodging villains.
Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Ada Lovelace, mathematical genius, and Mary Shelley, esteemed writer, attempt to create a living creature as they face perils and dodging villains.
Name She Gave Me, The
Betty Culley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In rural Maine, 16-year-old Rynn, unloved by the woman who adopted her as a baby, searches for her biological family and discovers her true identity. Free verse.
Betty Culley
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In rural Maine, 16-year-old Rynn, unloved by the woman who adopted her as a baby, searches for her biological family and discovers her true identity. Free verse.
No Filter and Other Lies
Crystal Maldonado
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Insecure and feeling rejected by her parents, biracial high school teen Kat uses social media and her photographic talent to create a popular fictional self. Then her lies are revealed.
Crystal Maldonado
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Insecure and feeling rejected by her parents, biracial high school teen Kat uses social media and her photographic talent to create a popular fictional self. Then her lies are revealed.
Nothing Burns as Bright as You
Ashley Woodfolk
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The tumultuous friendship of two Black teen girls evolves into a fiery first love. Nonlinear story arc in passionate free verse.
Ashley Woodfolk
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
The tumultuous friendship of two Black teen girls evolves into a fiery first love. Nonlinear story arc in passionate free verse.
Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken
Nita Tyndall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Charlie's queer relationship and fear of its consequences during the Nazi regime tests her willingness to risk resistance and being part of the underground Swing culture.
Nita Tyndall
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Charlie's queer relationship and fear of its consequences during the Nazi regime tests her willingness to risk resistance and being part of the underground Swing culture.
Only a Monster
Vanessa Len
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Malaysian-British Joan learns she is a half-monster who can time travel by stealing time from humans. Unfortunately, her crush is the legendary hero whose mission is to kill all monsters.
Vanessa Len
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Malaysian-British Joan learns she is a half-monster who can time travel by stealing time from humans. Unfortunately, her crush is the legendary hero whose mission is to kill all monsters.
On the Subject of Unmentionable Things
Julia Walton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Phoebe Townsend is a rule follower; however, her alter ego, Pom, writes about sex education on an anonymous blog until it goes viral.
Julia Walton
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Phoebe Townsend is a rule follower; however, her alter ego, Pom, writes about sex education on an anonymous blog until it goes viral.
Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America
Candacy Taylor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Detailed research informs this history of an early 20th-century guide for safe travel for Black Americans. Archival photographs and images. Maps, end notes, bibliography. Young readers edition.
Candacy Taylor
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Detailed research informs this history of an early 20th-century guide for safe travel for Black Americans. Archival photographs and images. Maps, end notes, bibliography. Young readers edition.
Peach Rebellion, The
Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Three teenaged girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds in post-World War II California unite over a unique and heartbreaking mission. A testament to friendship, feminism, and challenging the status quo.
Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Three teenaged girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds in post-World War II California unite over a unique and heartbreaking mission. A testament to friendship, feminism, and challenging the status quo.
Practice Girl
Estelle Laure
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Jo, who misses and idealizes her dad, realizes that she has sold herself short in her search for love and acceptance on the wrestling team.
Estelle Laure
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Jo, who misses and idealizes her dad, realizes that she has sold herself short in her search for love and acceptance on the wrestling team.
Private Label
Kelly Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Two Chinese American teens in California, one from a traditional background, the other assimilated to the point of cultural erasure, navigate complex relationships with their parents and peers.
Kelly Yang
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Two Chinese American teens in California, one from a traditional background, the other assimilated to the point of cultural erasure, navigate complex relationships with their parents and peers.
Queen of the Tiles
Hanna Alkaf
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Though grieving the death—and possibly murder—of her best friend during a Malaysian Scrabble tournament, Najwa determines to play again and win. Challenging Scrabble vocabulary.
Hanna Alkaf
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Though grieving the death—and possibly murder—of her best friend during a Malaysian Scrabble tournament, Najwa determines to play again and win. Challenging Scrabble vocabulary.
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality
Eliot Schrefer
Illustrator: Jules Zuckerberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Schrefer takes us on a humorous tour of sexual diversity in animal life. Comic-like illustrations. Meticulously sourced. Glossary, bibliograpy, notes.
Eliot Schrefer
Illustrator: Jules Zuckerberg
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Schrefer takes us on a humorous tour of sexual diversity in animal life. Comic-like illustrations. Meticulously sourced. Glossary, bibliograpy, notes.
Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman
Kristen R. Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Attending a prestigious, predominantly white college, Black scholarship student Savannah faces microaggressions, racism, and white privilege while living her mother's dream of a better life for her.
Kristen R. Lee
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Attending a prestigious, predominantly white college, Black scholarship student Savannah faces microaggressions, racism, and white privilege while living her mother's dream of a better life for her.
Respect the Mic: Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry From a Chicagoland High School
Hanif Abdurraqib, Franny Choi, Peter Kahn, Dan "Sully" Sullivan, editors, foreword by Tyehimba Jess
Illustrator: Timba Smits
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Culled from a decades-long high school writing and poetry slam project, these powerful varied verses are deeply personal, urgent and affecting. An inspiring model for replication in other educational settings. Black-and-white-spot illustrations.
Hanif Abdurraqib, Franny Choi, Peter Kahn, Dan "Sully" Sullivan, editors, foreword by Tyehimba Jess
Illustrator: Timba Smits
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Culled from a decades-long high school writing and poetry slam project, these powerful varied verses are deeply personal, urgent and affecting. An inspiring model for replication in other educational settings. Black-and-white-spot illustrations.
Rising Trouble Maker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens
Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Although there are countless things to be afraid of, asking for what you need is the antidote to that fear.
Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Although there are countless things to be afraid of, asking for what you need is the antidote to that fear.
Rust in the Root
Justina Ireland
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Laura, a Black queer mage in 1937 NYC, earns her magic license and joins an official agency, with whom she battles racism and dark forces. Archival black-and-white photos.
Justina Ireland
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Laura, a Black queer mage in 1937 NYC, earns her magic license and joins an official agency, with whom she battles racism and dark forces. Archival black-and-white photos.
Scatter of Light, A
Malinda Lo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
A graduation party goes wrong, exiling Aria, 17, to her grandmother's home in California. There she meets Steph, a gender-nonconforming singer/songwriter, and begins questioning her own identity.
Malinda Lo
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
A graduation party goes wrong, exiling Aria, 17, to her grandmother's home in California. There she meets Steph, a gender-nonconforming singer/songwriter, and begins questioning her own identity.
Secrets We Keep, The
Cassie Gustafson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
When her best friend Hannah accuses Emma's dad of unspeakable acts, Emma must decide where her loyalties lie.
Cassie Gustafson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
When her best friend Hannah accuses Emma's dad of unspeakable acts, Emma must decide where her loyalties lie.
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix
Anna-Marie McLemore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Latinx, poor, and transgender youth battle for self-identity during the glittering, decadent 1920s, facing pervasive classism, racism, and sexism and finding happiness by being true to themselves.
Anna-Marie McLemore
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Latinx, poor, and transgender youth battle for self-identity during the glittering, decadent 1920s, facing pervasive classism, racism, and sexism and finding happiness by being true to themselves.
Silence That Binds Us, The
Joanna Ho
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Reeling from her beloved brother's suicide, Chinese American May, with her Haitian American best friend's help, fights back against racism after May's family is publicly maligned.
Joanna Ho
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
Reeling from her beloved brother's suicide, Chinese American May, with her Haitian American best friend's help, fights back against racism after May's family is publicly maligned.
Silent Stars Go By, The
Sally Nicholls
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
During World War I, just as Margot, 16, discovered she was pregnant, her fiancé, Harry Singer, was reported missing in action. Now Harry has returned. Should she tell him about the baby her parents adopted?
Sally Nicholls
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
During World War I, just as Margot, 16, discovered she was pregnant, her fiancé, Harry Singer, was reported missing in action. Now Harry has returned. Should she tell him about the baby her parents adopted?
Silent Unseen, The
Amanda McCrina
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In 1944, Maria, a Polish escapee from the Nazis, saves Kostya from the Soviet police. Then she learns he is a Ukrainian resistance fighter, and thus, the enemy.
Amanda McCrina
Ages: 14+
Published: 2022
In 1944, Maria, a Polish escapee from the Nazis, saves Kostya from the Soviet police. Then she learns he is a Ukrainian resistance fighter, and thus, the enemy.