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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Robot Zot!
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A tiny alien and his sidekick attack evil household appliances, but a rational human places the blame for the destruction elsewhere. Bold acrylics.
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: David Shannon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A tiny alien and his sidekick attack evil household appliances, but a rational human places the blame for the destruction elsewhere. Bold acrylics.
Ron's Big Mission
by Rose Blue
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In South Carolina in the 1950s, future astronaut Ron McNair sets out to integrate his public library.
by Rose Blue
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In South Carolina in the 1950s, future astronaut Ron McNair sets out to integrate his public library.
Sam's Ride
by Becky Citra
Illustrator: Amy Meissner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Sam reluctantly learns to ride a huge scary horse at his grandfather's, he grows to appreciate both his grandfather and life on the ranch.
by Becky Citra
Illustrator: Amy Meissner
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Sam reluctantly learns to ride a huge scary horse at his grandfather's, he grows to appreciate both his grandfather and life on the ranch.
Sassy
by Sharon M. Draper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Sassy discovers how special she can be.
by Sharon M. Draper
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Sassy discovers how special she can be.
Scaredy-Cat Catcher
by Betty Hicks
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When you're in a terrible slump, will sheer determination and wonderfully supportive friends be enough to get you out of it?
by Betty Hicks
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When you're in a terrible slump, will sheer determination and wonderfully supportive friends be enough to get you out of it?
Shampoodle
by Joan Holub
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Easy readers with engaging plots and colorful illustrations are satisfying for beginners.
by Joan Holub
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Easy readers with engaging plots and colorful illustrations are satisfying for beginners.
Silly Tilly
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The other barnyard animals ask Tilly to stop being so silly, but soon regret it. Bold humorous drawings and well-rhymed text.
by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David Slonim
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The other barnyard animals ask Tilly to stop being so silly, but soon regret it. Bold humorous drawings and well-rhymed text.
Song of Middle C
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Scott Menchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Despite having practiced extensively, a young pianist experiences stage fright at her first recital, but a creative improvisation saves the day.
by Alison McGhee
Illustrator: Scott Menchin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Despite having practiced extensively, a young pianist experiences stage fright at her first recital, but a creative improvisation saves the day.
Star of the Show
by Della Ross Ferreri
Illustrator: Tony Weinstock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Francine learns the value of working together when she plays with her brother, Max, who has his own ideas about playing games.
by Della Ross Ferreri
Illustrator: Tony Weinstock
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Francine learns the value of working together when she plays with her brother, Max, who has his own ideas about playing games.
Strawberry Hill
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Allie searches for friends and strawberries in this gentle Depression-era story. Soft pencil illustrations enhance the text.
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Fourth grader Allie searches for friends and strawberries in this gentle Depression-era story. Soft pencil illustrations enhance the text.
Teedie
written and ill. by Don Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A small, asthmatic child, Teddy overcomes his weaknesses to become a sportsman and the youngest President of the United States. Humorous ilustrations.
written and ill. by Don Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A small, asthmatic child, Teddy overcomes his weaknesses to become a sportsman and the youngest President of the United States. Humorous ilustrations.
The Dollshop Downstairs
by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Illustrator: Heather Maione
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When World War I threatens her family's doll repair business, nine-year-old Anna suggests a clever way to save their shop.
by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Illustrator: Heather Maione
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When World War I threatens her family's doll repair business, nine-year-old Anna suggests a clever way to save their shop.
The Duchess of Whimsy
by Randall de Sève
Illustrator: Peter de Sève
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Love strikes when two opposites attract and discover that, despite their differences, there is much to cherish in one another. Whimsical illustrations.
by Randall de Sève
Illustrator: Peter de Sève
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Love strikes when two opposites attract and discover that, despite their differences, there is much to cherish in one another. Whimsical illustrations.
The Dunderheads
by Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Delightful illustrations match this clever tale of daring-do as one class outwits their villainous teacher.
by Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Delightful illustrations match this clever tale of daring-do as one class outwits their villainous teacher.
The Fiesta Dress
by Caren McNelly McCormack
Illustrator: Martha Avilés
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Lola causes mischief with her dog while her family prepares for her sister's fifteenth birthday celebration.
by Caren McNelly McCormack
Illustrator: Martha Avilés
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Lola causes mischief with her dog while her family prepares for her sister's fifteenth birthday celebration.
The Great Dog Wash
by Shellie Braeuner
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A neighborhood dog wash goes awry. Funny rhymes and digitally created illustrations.
by Shellie Braeuner
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A neighborhood dog wash goes awry. Funny rhymes and digitally created illustrations.
The Hermit Crab
written and ill. by Carter Goodrich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When flounder is trapped, shy Hermit Crab in his new “shell” becomes an unexpected and unwitting hero. Humorous watercolors.
written and ill. by Carter Goodrich
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When flounder is trapped, shy Hermit Crab in his new “shell” becomes an unexpected and unwitting hero. Humorous watercolors.
The Hungry Ghosts
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: Geraldo Valério
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Malcolm David searches for the ghosts who are chilling his room, only to find that they are hungry, and he can help them. Whimsical acrylic illustrations.
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: Geraldo Valério
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Malcolm David searches for the ghosts who are chilling his room, only to find that they are hungry, and he can help them. Whimsical acrylic illustrations.
The Imaginary Garden
by Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Irene Luxbacher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Theo's grandfather moves to an apartment, they recreate, through brushstrokes of color,the garden he left behind. Lively multimedia illustrations.
by Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Irene Luxbacher
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
When Theo's grandfather moves to an apartment, they recreate, through brushstrokes of color,the garden he left behind. Lively multimedia illustrations.
The King's Taster
by Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Max, the cook's dog, tastes all food set before the boy-king, who rejects everything, until the cook finds the clue to the king's lack of appetite. Cheerful paintings.
by Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Steve Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Max, the cook's dog, tastes all food set before the boy-king, who rejects everything, until the cook finds the clue to the king's lack of appetite. Cheerful paintings.
The Knitting of Elizabeth Amelia
by Patricia Lee Gauch
Illustrator: Barbara Lavallee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Elizabeth Amelia, made of wool, must figure out how to prevent her unraveling. Textured watercolors feature characters dancing on the pages.
by Patricia Lee Gauch
Illustrator: Barbara Lavallee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Elizabeth Amelia, made of wool, must figure out how to prevent her unraveling. Textured watercolors feature characters dancing on the pages.
The Listeners
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Mike Benny
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In a time when African American people were oppressed, the listening duties of children provided small, yet vital clues about their futures
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Mike Benny
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
In a time when African American people were oppressed, the listening duties of children provided small, yet vital clues about their futures
The Longest Night
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The animals think night has lasted too long, but the wind knows that only one of them can bring back the sun. Evocative watercolors.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
The animals think night has lasted too long, but the wind knows that only one of them can bring back the sun. Evocative watercolors.
The One and Only Marigold
by Florence Parry Heide
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Marigold seems stubborn, but four connected vignettes show that there is more to this eccentric character. Detailed gouache illustrations provide continuity while adding humor.
by Florence Parry Heide
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
Marigold seems stubborn, but four connected vignettes show that there is more to this eccentric character. Detailed gouache illustrations provide continuity while adding humor.
The Orphan Boy
by Tolowa M. Mollel
Illustrator: Paul Morin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A Maasai storyteller tells of the planet Venus, known to the Maasai as Kilken, the orphan boy. New edition with haunting oil paintings, using elements of the African landscape.
by Tolowa M. Mollel
Illustrator: Paul Morin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2009
A Maasai storyteller tells of the planet Venus, known to the Maasai as Kilken, the orphan boy. New edition with haunting oil paintings, using elements of the African landscape.