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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Up the Learning Tree
by Marcia Vaughan
Illustrator: Derek Blanks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of a brave teacher, a slave boy in the pre-Civil War south breaks the law to learn to read and write
by Marcia Vaughan
Illustrator: Derek Blanks
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
With the help of a brave teacher, a slave boy in the pre-Civil War south breaks the law to learn to read and write
When Pigs Fly
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Frank Ansley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The kids in school dress up as TV hero Hyper Hog, but Fitch & Chip show what it takes to be a real hero.
by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Frank Ansley
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
The kids in school dress up as TV hero Hyper Hog, but Fitch & Chip show what it takes to be a real hero.
Wicked Whodunits
by Jim Sukach
Illustrator: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Clever and challenging, these brief puzzles will keep readers chuckling and guessing.
by Jim Sukach
Illustrator: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
Clever and challenging, these brief puzzles will keep readers chuckling and guessing.
Wild Robert
by Diana Wynne Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In an effort to be rid of the tourists at the large old home where her parents are caretakers, Heather accidentally calls on a 350-year-old young man who creates havoc.
by Diana Wynne Jones
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
In an effort to be rid of the tourists at the large old home where her parents are caretakers, Heather accidentally calls on a 350-year-old young man who creates havoc.
Zara's Hats
written and ill. by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl saves the family store using creativity and ingenuity. Imaginative watercolors.
written and ill. by Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
A young girl saves the family store using creativity and ingenuity. Imaginative watercolors.
Zizi and Tish
by Liz Moore
Illustrator: Liz Milkau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When big sister Tish makes a new friend, her little sister Zizi feels left behind.
by Liz Moore
Illustrator: Liz Milkau
Ages: 6+
Published: 2003
When big sister Tish makes a new friend, her little sister Zizi feels left behind.
7 x 9 = Trouble!
by Claudia Mills
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Despite distractions at school and at home, Wilson struggles to learn his multiplication tables.
by Claudia Mills
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Despite distractions at school and at home, Wilson struggles to learn his multiplication tables.
Across a Dark and Wild Sea
written and ill. by Jon Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The creation of the earliest illuminated manuscripts, based on the life of a sixth-century monk.
written and ill. by Jon Brown
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The creation of the earliest illuminated manuscripts, based on the life of a sixth-century monk.
A Doctor Like Papa
by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Illustrator: James Bernardin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In northeast Vermont in 1918, an eleven-year-old is determined to be a country doctor like her father despite its difficulties.
by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Illustrator: James Bernardin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In northeast Vermont in 1918, an eleven-year-old is determined to be a country doctor like her father despite its difficulties.
Ali and the Magic Stew
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
Illustrator: Winslow Pels
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wealthy Persian boy becomes a beggar to save his father's life.
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim
Illustrator: Winslow Pels
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A wealthy Persian boy becomes a beggar to save his father's life.
All the Way to Lhasa
by Barbara Helen Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While others fail, a boy and his yak succeed in reaching the holy city.
by Barbara Helen Berger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While others fail, a boy and his yak succeed in reaching the holy city.
Alphaboat
written and ill. by Michael Chesworth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The letters of the alphabet sail off to search for buried treasure. Whimsical, with visual and verbal puns aplenty.
written and ill. by Michael Chesworth
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
The letters of the alphabet sail off to search for buried treasure. Whimsical, with visual and verbal puns aplenty.
Ananse and the Lizard
retold and ill. by Pat Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Why lizards stretch their necks.Vibrant watercolor, gouache and pencil illustrations.
retold and ill. by Pat Cummings
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Why lizards stretch their necks.Vibrant watercolor, gouache and pencil illustrations.
Angelo
written and ill. by David Macaulay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While Angelo is restoring an old church, he nurses a pigeon back to health.
written and ill. by David Macaulay
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
While Angelo is restoring an old church, he nurses a pigeon back to health.
Annabel the Actress starring in Hound of the Barkervilles
by Ellen Conford
Illustrator: Renee W. Andriani
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Annabel finally gets a chance to be in a play with a professional cast, one of whom is a huge, slobbering dog.
by Ellen Conford
Illustrator: Renee W. Andriani
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Annabel finally gets a chance to be in a play with a professional cast, one of whom is a huge, slobbering dog.
Betsy Who Cried Wolf!
by Gail Carson Levine
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A brave and kindhearted shepherd girl wins over a very tricky wolf. Wacky retelling of Aesop's tale. Charming illustrations.
by Gail Carson Levine
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A brave and kindhearted shepherd girl wins over a very tricky wolf. Wacky retelling of Aesop's tale. Charming illustrations.
Bitter Dumplings
written and ill. by Jeanne M. Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In fifteenth century China, a girl suffers injustice but eventually finds purpose and love. Stylized illustrations.
written and ill. by Jeanne M. Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
In fifteenth century China, a girl suffers injustice but eventually finds purpose and love. Stylized illustrations.
Can You Guess My Name?
selected and retold by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Stefano Vitale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Fifteen variations from thirteen countries on familiar folkstales, including “The Three Pigs,” “The Bremen Town Musicians,” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”
selected and retold by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Stefano Vitale
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Fifteen variations from thirteen countries on familiar folkstales, including “The Three Pigs,” “The Bremen Town Musicians,” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”
Chang and the Bamboo Flute
by Elizabeth Starr Hill
Illustrator: Lesley Liu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A mute child uses his flute in place of speech and discovers he can contribute to his Chinese family.
by Elizabeth Starr Hill
Illustrator: Lesley Liu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
A mute child uses his flute in place of speech and discovers he can contribute to his Chinese family.
Clarence the Copy Cat
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Clarence refuses to be a mouser but he keeps his public library home by scaring away the mouse in a most unusual way.
by Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: John Manders
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Clarence refuses to be a mouser but he keeps his public library home by scaring away the mouse in a most unusual way.
Cora Frear
by Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Cora helps her doctor father as he visits patients and as they fight to survive a prairie fire that threatens to engulf them.
by Susan E. Goodman
Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Cora helps her doctor father as he visits patients and as they fight to survive a prairie fire that threatens to engulf them.
Courage
written and ill. by Bernard Waber
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Everyday courageous acts such as introducing yourself to someone new or going to bed without a nightlight. Illustrations add a sense of humor.
written and ill. by Bernard Waber
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Everyday courageous acts such as introducing yourself to someone new or going to bed without a nightlight. Illustrations add a sense of humor.
Daisy Comes Home
written and ill. by Jan Brett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
When the other hens abuse her, Daisy runs to safety and has unexpected adventures.
written and ill. by Jan Brett
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
When the other hens abuse her, Daisy runs to safety and has unexpected adventures.
Danger! Earthquakes
by Seymour Simon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Four areas of science with fascinating facts and amazing images.
by Seymour Simon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2002
Four areas of science with fascinating facts and amazing images.