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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Golden & Grey
by Louise Arnold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A lonely boy and an equally lonely ghost find themselves in their respective worlds.
by Louise Arnold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A lonely boy and an equally lonely ghost find themselves in their respective worlds.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The teen-age worlds of the sixth year friends at Hogwarts School collide with the dark undertones in this fast moving sequel.
by J.K. Rowling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The teen-age worlds of the sixth year friends at Hogwarts School collide with the dark undertones in this fast moving sequel.
Heron Cove
by Ruth Wallace-Brodeur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The kindness of two great aunts helps Sage gain insight and acceptance during a summer in Maine.
by Ruth Wallace-Brodeur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The kindness of two great aunts helps Sage gain insight and acceptance during a summer in Maine.
Home Is East
by Many Ly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Traumatized by her mother's abandonment, nine-year-old Amy and her Dad leave their Cambodian community in Florida to start a new life.
by Many Ly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Traumatized by her mother's abandonment, nine-year-old Amy and her Dad leave their Cambodian community in Florida to start a new life.
Horse of Seven Moons
by Karen Taschek
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
An Indian boy and a pioneer girl in New Mexico meet under unusual circumstances.
by Karen Taschek
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
An Indian boy and a pioneer girl in New Mexico meet under unusual circumstances.
Ice Drift
by Theodore Taylor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
In 1868, two Inuit brothers survive on an icefloe drifting away from land in the Arctic Sea.
by Theodore Taylor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
In 1868, two Inuit brothers survive on an icefloe drifting away from land in the Arctic Sea.
Keeper
by Mal Peet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
El Gato, a world-famous South American soccer star, tells of the mystical nurturing of his boyhood talent in a poor logging town.
by Mal Peet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
El Gato, a world-famous South American soccer star, tells of the mystical nurturing of his boyhood talent in a poor logging town.
Leon And The Champion Chip
by Allen Kurzweil
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Leon's magic and his friends' help defeat a bully and save a great teacher.
by Allen Kurzweil
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Leon's magic and his friends' help defeat a bully and save a great teacher.
Listening for Lions
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Orphaned by the influenza epidemic in 1919, thirteen-year-old Rachel becomes involved in a wicked plot that takes her from East Africa to London.
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Orphaned by the influenza epidemic in 1919, thirteen-year-old Rachel becomes involved in a wicked plot that takes her from East Africa to London.
Lunch Money
by Andrew Clements
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A middle-schooler interested in making money clashes with a competitor until they join forces in a successful venture.
by Andrew Clements
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A middle-schooler interested in making money clashes with a competitor until they join forces in a successful venture.
Magyk
by Angie Sage
Illustrator: Mark Zug
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Stolen infants, quirky creatures and a “magycal” cast of characters will leave the reader wanting more.
by Angie Sage
Illustrator: Mark Zug
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Stolen infants, quirky creatures and a “magycal” cast of characters will leave the reader wanting more.
Monkey Business
retold by Shirley Climo
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Folk tales and facts about monkeys in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.
retold by Shirley Climo
Illustrator: Erik Brooks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Folk tales and facts about monkeys in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Moon Runner
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Mina discovers that she is an inspired runner, but is troubled by competing against a friend.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Mina discovers that she is an inspired runner, but is troubled by competing against a friend.
My Name Is Bilal
by Asma Mobin-Uddin
Illustrator: Barbara Kiwak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
With the aid of a teacher, a young boy gains the confidence to be himself and becomes proud of his religion.
by Asma Mobin-Uddin
Illustrator: Barbara Kiwak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
With the aid of a teacher, a young boy gains the confidence to be himself and becomes proud of his religion.
No Small Thing
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Caring for a pony does not solve Nat's many problems, but it does bring the family closer together.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Caring for a pony does not solve Nat's many problems, but it does bring the family closer together.
Not Exactly Normal
by Devin Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Blessed with wonderful parents and teachers, this sensitive boy faces a challenge which increases his ability to appreciate the differences of others.
by Devin Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Blessed with wonderful parents and teachers, this sensitive boy faces a challenge which increases his ability to appreciate the differences of others.
Princess Academy
by Shannon Hale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Miri learns about the world outside her poor mountain town at a school for princesses.
by Shannon Hale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Miri learns about the world outside her poor mountain town at a school for princesses.
Project Mulberry
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Korean-American Julia worries about ethnic misunderstandings and other complex issues as she and her friend Patrick work on a silkworm project for the state fair.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Korean-American Julia worries about ethnic misunderstandings and other complex issues as she and her friend Patrick work on a silkworm project for the state fair.
Regarding the Trees
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A double wedding, a tree-saving campaign and a family history are revealed through pun-filled memos, letters, notes and newspaper articles.
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A double wedding, a tree-saving campaign and a family history are revealed through pun-filled memos, letters, notes and newspaper articles.
REPLAY
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Twelve-year-old Leo, a dreamer and fantasizer in a boisterous family, tries to uncover the secrets of his father's mysterious past.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Twelve-year-old Leo, a dreamer and fantasizer in a boisterous family, tries to uncover the secrets of his father's mysterious past.
Rosa, Sola
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Nine-year-old Italian-American Rosa wants a new baby in the family. She thinks her prayers are answered until something goes very wrong.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Nine-year-old Italian-American Rosa wants a new baby in the family. She thinks her prayers are answered until something goes very wrong.
Sea Legs
by Alex Shearer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Twin sons of the steward on a luxury ocean liner stow away--and face assorted adventures including modern “pirates” in this rollicking tale.
by Alex Shearer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Twin sons of the steward on a luxury ocean liner stow away--and face assorted adventures including modern “pirates” in this rollicking tale.
Shanghai Messenger
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Xiao Mai's journey to visit her aunts and uncles in China. Elegant prose and lovely watercolors.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Xiao Mai's journey to visit her aunts and uncles in China. Elegant prose and lovely watercolors.
Sixth-Grade Glommers, Norks, and Me
by Lisa Papademetriou
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Two friends grow painfully apart as they meet the individual challenges of middle school.
by Lisa Papademetriou
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Two friends grow painfully apart as they meet the individual challenges of middle school.
Sketches from a Spy Tree
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Illustrator: Andrew Glass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Ann Marie's family moves from sad times to a new start. Poetic text with pencil, oil and collage illustrations.
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Illustrator: Andrew Glass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Ann Marie's family moves from sad times to a new start. Poetic text with pencil, oil and collage illustrations.