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 Secret of the Rose
by Sarah L. Thomson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Rosalind faces an unfamiliar world of prejudice and intrigue in Elizabethan England.
by Sarah L. Thomson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Rosalind faces an unfamiliar world of prejudice and intrigue in Elizabethan England.
The Valley of the Wolves
by Laura Gallego García
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Only Dana can see and hear her friend as she trains for major sorcery. A fast-paced suspenseful adventure.
by Laura Gallego García
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Only Dana can see and hear her friend as she trains for major sorcery. A fast-paced suspenseful adventure.
The White Elephant
by Sid Fleischman
Illustrator: Robert McGuire
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A boy crosses paths wih a nasty prince, who saddles him with a sacred elephant with a mind of its own.
by Sid Fleischman
Illustrator: Robert McGuire
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A boy crosses paths wih a nasty prince, who saddles him with a sacred elephant with a mind of its own.
things hoped for
by Andrew Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
While preparing for important music auditions, Gwen gets support from new friend Robert.
by Andrew Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
While preparing for important music auditions, Gwen gets support from new friend Robert.
Tomorrow, the River
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Despite her mother's warnings, fourteen-year-old Megan gains self-confidence as she joins her sister's family on their riverboat.
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Despite her mother's warnings, fourteen-year-old Megan gains self-confidence as she joins her sister's family on their riverboat.
Torchlight
by Carol Otis Hurst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In the 1850s, two girls develop a friendship despite the prejudice of a Massachusetts town against Irish immigrants.
by Carol Otis Hurst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In the 1850s, two girls develop a friendship despite the prejudice of a Massachusetts town against Irish immigrants.
Trading Places
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Despite unexpected problems, fifth-grade twins face unlimited opportunities.
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Despite unexpected problems, fifth-grade twins face unlimited opportunities.
Truth and Salsa
by Linda Lowery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
After her parents separate, twelve-year-old Hayley finds adventure, mystery and compassion in the healing comfort of her grandmother's Mexican home.
by Linda Lowery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
After her parents separate, twelve-year-old Hayley finds adventure, mystery and compassion in the healing comfort of her grandmother's Mexican home.
Uncharted Waters
by Leslie Bulion
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Seventh-grade Jonah confronts his fear of the water and learns to appreciate his mechanical skills.
by Leslie Bulion
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Seventh-grade Jonah confronts his fear of the water and learns to appreciate his mechanical skills.
Vanishing Act
by John Feinstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A fast-paced mystery in which eighth-grade reporters, Stevie and Susan, investigate the kidnapping of a Russian tennis star.
by John Feinstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A fast-paced mystery in which eighth-grade reporters, Stevie and Susan, investigate the kidnapping of a Russian tennis star.
Vive La Paris
by Esmé Raji Codell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
From her piano teacher, Paris learns about the Holocaust, about life, death, tragedy and bullies--as well as music.
by Esmé Raji Codell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
From her piano teacher, Paris learns about the Holocaust, about life, death, tragedy and bullies--as well as music.
Voyage of Midnight
by Michele Torrey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
While he experiences the horrors of a slave ship, a fourteen-year-old boy learns about freedom and humanity.
by Michele Torrey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
While he experiences the horrors of a slave ship, a fourteen-year-old boy learns about freedom and humanity.
Wabi: A Hero's Tale
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Wabi's transformation from owl to warrior makes him Village Guardian and the successful suitor of Dojihla. An Abenaki Indian legend.
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Wabi's transformation from owl to warrior makes him Village Guardian and the successful suitor of Dojihla. An Abenaki Indian legend.
water street
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A close Irish family in 1920s Brooklyn encourages thirteen-year-old Bird to discover her strengths and decide about her future.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A close Irish family in 1920s Brooklyn encourages thirteen-year-old Bird to discover her strengths and decide about her future.
Weedflower
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
After the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sumiko and her Japanese-American farm family are interned on an Indian reservation.
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
After the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sumiko and her Japanese-American farm family are interned on an Indian reservation.
When Santa Fell to Earth
by Cornelia Funke
Illustrator: Paul Howard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Niklas Goodfellow, “a Santa Claus by trade,” tries to restore real Christmas, aided by angels, elves and two children.
by Cornelia Funke
Illustrator: Paul Howard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Niklas Goodfellow, “a Santa Claus by trade,” tries to restore real Christmas, aided by angels, elves and two children.
Wind Rider
by Susan Williams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A girl's domestication of a horse in prehistoric times deeply affects those around her.
by Susan Williams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A girl's domestication of a horse in prehistoric times deeply affects those around her.
Winter Door
by Isobelle Carmody
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In her fantasy world, Rage deals with issues that include families, loyalty and friendship.
by Isobelle Carmody
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In her fantasy world, Rage deals with issues that include families, loyalty and friendship.
Yellow Star
by Jennifer Roy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Five-year-old Syvia experiences the hunger, terror and sorrow of the Lodz ghetto in WW II Poland.
by Jennifer Roy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Five-year-old Syvia experiences the hunger, terror and sorrow of the Lodz ghetto in WW II Poland.
Younguncle Comes to Town
by Vandana Singh
Illustrator: B.M. Kamath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A visit from Younguncle to his brother's children in northern India amuses the children with his humorous adventures.
by Vandana Singh
Illustrator: B.M. Kamath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A visit from Younguncle to his brother's children in northern India amuses the children with his humorous adventures.
A Bear Named Trouble
by Marion Dane Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A lonely zookeeper's son and a three-yea-old Alaskan brown bear meet. Based on an actual incident.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A lonely zookeeper's son and a three-yea-old Alaskan brown bear meet. Based on an actual incident.
A Dog's Life
by Ann M. Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A dog's life is not always easy. A quietly told tale of canine courage.
by Ann M. Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A dog's life is not always easy. A quietly told tale of canine courage.
Agnes Parker...Happy Camper?
by Kathleen O'Dell
Illustrator: Charise Mericle Harper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Science camp adventures include pranks, a weird bunkmate, separation from a best friend and new insights.
by Kathleen O'Dell
Illustrator: Charise Mericle Harper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Science camp adventures include pranks, a weird bunkmate, separation from a best friend and new insights.
Airball My Life in Briefs
by L.D. Harkrader
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Can Kirby turn his lackluster team into winners and uncover the secret of who his father is?
by L.D. Harkrader
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Can Kirby turn his lackluster team into winners and uncover the secret of who his father is?
Always Remember Me
written and ill. by Marisabina Russo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Rachel is old enough to learn about the tragedy in her grandmother's photo album about the Holocaust.
written and ill. by Marisabina Russo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Rachel is old enough to learn about the tragedy in her grandmother's photo album about the Holocaust.