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 Bowlegged Rooster
by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Holly Berry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
“Warm, humorous family tales in the African-American “signifying “tradition where animals take the place of people.
by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Holly Berry
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
“Warm, humorous family tales in the African-American “signifying “tradition where animals take the place of people.
The Boy of a Thousand Faces
written and ill. by Brian Selznick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Young Alonzo, fascinated by recreating monster faces, solves a mystery.
written and ill. by Brian Selznick
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Young Alonzo, fascinated by recreating monster faces, solves a mystery.
The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey
written and ill. by Anne Rockwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Chac, the rain god, demands obedience of a mischievous boy, who turns the tables on him.
written and ill. by Anne Rockwell
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Chac, the rain god, demands obedience of a mischievous boy, who turns the tables on him.
The Butterfly
written and ill. by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Set in France during World War II, Monique discovers a Jewish child hidden in her house and bravely keeps the secret
written and ill. by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Set in France during World War II, Monique discovers a Jewish child hidden in her house and bravely keeps the secret
The Cool Crazy Crickets
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The humorous adventures of four friends and a dog as they find a name, meeting place, mascot and purpose for their club.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The humorous adventures of four friends and a dog as they find a name, meeting place, mascot and purpose for their club.
The Disappearing Island
by Corinne Demas
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Nine-year-old Carrie and her grandmother embark on an afternoon expedition in waters off Cape Cod.
by Corinne Demas
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Nine-year-old Carrie and her grandmother embark on an afternoon expedition in waters off Cape Cod.
The Doorman
by Edward Grimm
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
People living in an apartment house grieve when their beloved doorman dies suddenly. Vivid watercolors.
by Edward Grimm
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
People living in an apartment house grieve when their beloved doorman dies suddenly. Vivid watercolors.
The Eagle and the Wren
retold by Jane Goodall
Illustrator: Alexander Reichstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A race among the birds for leadership. Beautifully illustrated.
retold by Jane Goodall
Illustrator: Alexander Reichstein
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A race among the birds for leadership. Beautifully illustrated.
The Elevator Family
by Douglas Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The Wilsons'stay in the elevator of the San Francisco Hotel enables them to meet guests and staff and to effect a surprising rescue.
by Douglas Evans
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The Wilsons'stay in the elevator of the San Francisco Hotel enables them to meet guests and staff and to effect a surprising rescue.
The Emperor's New Clothes
by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrator: Eve Tharlet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The vain emperor and his clothes--or lack thereof. Amusing illustrations.
by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrator: Eve Tharlet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
The vain emperor and his clothes--or lack thereof. Amusing illustrations.
The Gift of the Crocodile
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Reynold Ruffins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Familiar elements of this classic are enlivened by the colorful, sprightly, acrylic illustrations.
by Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Reynold Ruffins
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Familiar elements of this classic are enlivened by the colorful, sprightly, acrylic illustrations.
The Girl Who Lost Her Smile
by Karim Alrawi
Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A retelling of an Islamic story by Rumi about finding life's hidden beauty.
by Karim Alrawi
Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A retelling of an Islamic story by Rumi about finding life's hidden beauty.
The Girl Who Spun Gold
by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator: Leo and Diane Dillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Masterful retelling, majestically illustrated, of a West Indian version of the Rumpelstiltskin tale.
by Virginia Hamilton
Illustrator: Leo and Diane Dillon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Masterful retelling, majestically illustrated, of a West Indian version of the Rumpelstiltskin tale.
The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth
by Jean L.S. Patrick
Illustrator: Jeni Reeves
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
In 1931, seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell accomplishes the impossible, striking out Yankees Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
by Jean L.S. Patrick
Illustrator: Jeni Reeves
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
In 1931, seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell accomplishes the impossible, striking out Yankees Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
The Good Luck Cat
by Joy Harjo
Illustrator: Paul Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Native American girl explains her love for her adventurous cat.
by Joy Harjo
Illustrator: Paul Lee
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
A Native American girl explains her love for her adventurous cat.
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Libby learns that telling the truth in a way which doesn't hurt others is harder than she thought. Stylized illustrations.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Libby learns that telling the truth in a way which doesn't hurt others is harder than she thought. Stylized illustrations.
The Hunter
retold by Mary Casanova
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
During a drought in ancient China, a young hunter saves his village by learning to communicate with animals. Expressive line drawings.
retold by Mary Casanova
Illustrator: Ed Young
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
During a drought in ancient China, a young hunter saves his village by learning to communicate with animals. Expressive line drawings.
The Jaguar's Jewel
by Ron Roy
Illustrator: John Steven Gurney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Fortune cookies, New York and a jewel theft.
by Ron Roy
Illustrator: John Steven Gurney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Fortune cookies, New York and a jewel theft.
The Kidnapped King
by Ron Roy
Illustrator: John Steven Gurney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Dink and her friends help the Prince of Costra and his family escape from kidnappers.
by Ron Roy
Illustrator: John Steven Gurney
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Dink and her friends help the Prince of Costra and his family escape from kidnappers.
The King & the Three Thieves
retold and ill. by Kristen Balouch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Disguised as a poor man, the king joins three thieves in their plot to steal the royal treasury. Colorful collage illustrations.
retold and ill. by Kristen Balouch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Disguised as a poor man, the king joins three thieves in their plot to steal the royal treasury. Colorful collage illustrations.
The Legend of Freedom Hill
by Linda Jacobs Altman
Illustrator: Cornelius Van Wright
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Rosabel and Sophie use ingenuity to free Rosabel's mother and others from a slave catcher during California's gold rush.
by Linda Jacobs Altman
Illustrator: Cornelius Van Wright
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Rosabel and Sophie use ingenuity to free Rosabel's mother and others from a slave catcher during California's gold rush.
The Lunchroom of Doom
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
See the Magic Pretzel.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
See the Magic Pretzel.
The Magic Kerchief
by Kirby Larson
Illustrator: Rosanne Litzinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Wearing her magic kerchief, ill-tempered, friendless Griselda finds herself giving compliments and good advice to the people she meets.
by Kirby Larson
Illustrator: Rosanne Litzinger
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Wearing her magic kerchief, ill-tempered, friendless Griselda finds herself giving compliments and good advice to the people she meets.
The Magic Pretzel
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Norman Gnormal amd a small group of unusual friends from the Werewolf Club get into dangerous and adventurous situations in this funny series.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Jill Pinkwater
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
Norman Gnormal amd a small group of unusual friends from the Werewolf Club get into dangerous and adventurous situations in this funny series.
The Music in Derrick's Heart
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An elderly harmonica player shares his tradition and patience with a young friend. Heartwarming illustrations.
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2000
An elderly harmonica player shares his tradition and patience with a young friend. Heartwarming illustrations.