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 Silver Spoon of Solomon Snow
by Kaye Umansky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Solomon, Prudence and the Infant Prodigy set out to recover Solly's silver spoon. A delightful spoof with an unexpected twist.
by Kaye Umansky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Solomon, Prudence and the Infant Prodigy set out to recover Solly's silver spoon. A delightful spoof with an unexpected twist.
The Thief and the Beanstalk
by P.W. Catanese
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
What happens when another boy goes up the beanstalk?
by P.W. Catanese
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
What happens when another boy goes up the beanstalk?
The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela
written and ill. by Uri Shulevitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The travels of the intrepid Jewish explorer throughout the Medieval world. Brilliant acrylic paintings.
written and ill. by Uri Shulevitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
The travels of the intrepid Jewish explorer throughout the Medieval world. Brilliant acrylic paintings.
The Trouble Begins
by Linda Himelblau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A Vietnamese refugee, reunited with family members after many years, struggles to adjust to life with them in the United States.
by Linda Himelblau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A Vietnamese refugee, reunited with family members after many years, struggles to adjust to life with them in the United States.
The Valley of Secrets
by Charmian Hussey
Illustrator: Christopher Crump
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
With the help of his uncle's journal, orphaned Stephen solves the mystery of the seemingly deserted Landsdown Hall. Black-and-white woodcuts.
by Charmian Hussey
Illustrator: Christopher Crump
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
With the help of his uncle's journal, orphaned Stephen solves the mystery of the seemingly deserted Landsdown Hall. Black-and-white woodcuts.
Thor's Wedding Day
as told to and trans. by Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Matthew Cogswell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A humorous take-off on Norse mythology in which Thor pretends to be Freya to rescue his hammer from the giant who has stolen it.
as told to and trans. by Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Matthew Cogswell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A humorous take-off on Norse mythology in which Thor pretends to be Freya to rescue his hammer from the giant who has stolen it.
Three Good Deeds
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Turned into a goose by an old witch, a quirky boy learns about kindness.
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Turned into a goose by an old witch, a quirky boy learns about kindness.
Under One Flag
by Liz Parkhurst
Illustrator: Tom Clifton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A local boy and a Japanese-American child at a World War II internment camp in Arkansas become friends.
by Liz Parkhurst
Illustrator: Tom Clifton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A local boy and a Japanese-American child at a World War II internment camp in Arkansas become friends.
Under the Persimmon Tree
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
During the 2001 Afghan war, Najmah and her friend help each other and plan for the future.
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
During the 2001 Afghan war, Najmah and her friend help each other and plan for the future.
What Erika Wants
by Bruce Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Erika's lawyer supports her as she faces a custody battle between parents who hate each other.
by Bruce Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Erika's lawyer supports her as she faces a custody battle between parents who hate each other.
Willow Run
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Meggie's love, compasssion and courage help her adapt to major changes when her brother joins the army during World War II.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Meggie's love, compasssion and courage help her adapt to major changes when her brother joins the army during World War II.
Wing Nut
by M.J. Auch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Grady has been on the move since his dad died. Then his mother gets a job cooking for Charlie. Can this be home?
by M.J. Auch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Grady has been on the move since his dad died. Then his mother gets a job cooking for Charlie. Can this be home?
Wolf Brother
by Michelle Paver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Torak's mission to rid the forest of an evil bear, aided by a wolf cub and a resourceful girl, is gradually revealed to him.
by Michelle Paver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
Torak's mission to rid the forest of an evil bear, aided by a wolf cub and a resourceful girl, is gradually revealed to him.
Worlds Apart
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A fifteen-year-old Carolina settler narrates a tale of foes and friendship in the New World of 1670.
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
A fifteen-year-old Carolina settler narrates a tale of foes and friendship in the New World of 1670.
You Come to Yokum
by Carol Otis Hurst
Illustrator: Kay Life
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
In the early 1920s, two brothers observe their mother's struggles to gather support for women's right to vote as they run a lodge in western Massachusetts.
by Carol Otis Hurst
Illustrator: Kay Life
Ages: 9+
Published: 2005
In the early 1920s, two brothers observe their mother's struggles to gather support for women's right to vote as they run a lodge in western Massachusetts.
A Boy No More
by Harry Mazer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
After his father's death at Pearl Harbor, fifteen-year-old Adam copes with a mmove to California and the removal of his best friend to a Japanese internment camp.
by Harry Mazer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
After his father's death at Pearl Harbor, fifteen-year-old Adam copes with a mmove to California and the removal of his best friend to a Japanese internment camp.
Adventures in the Ice Age
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Three children catapulted into the Ice Age share their adventures and facts about that time period.
by Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Three children catapulted into the Ice Age share their adventures and facts about that time period.
A Good Night for Freedom
by Barbara Olenyik Morrow
Illustrator: Leonard Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Hallie's discovery of runaways in her Quaker neighbor's house leads her to make a difficult ethical decision.
by Barbara Olenyik Morrow
Illustrator: Leonard Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Hallie's discovery of runaways in her Quaker neighbor's house leads her to make a difficult ethical decision.
Airborn
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Aboard a dirigible, a cabin boy and a girl passenger combat sky pirates and discover unknown winged species.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Aboard a dirigible, a cabin boy and a girl passenger combat sky pirates and discover unknown winged species.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
In 1935 Moose and his family, including his sister who needs a special school, move to Alcatraz when his father gets a job as a prison guard.
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
In 1935 Moose and his family, including his sister who needs a special school, move to Alcatraz when his father gets a job as a prison guard.
A Pot O' Gold
selected by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
From legends of leprechauns and fairies to the classic poetry of Yeats and Joyce. Charmingly illustrated.
selected by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
From legends of leprechauns and fairies to the classic poetry of Yeats and Joyce. Charmingly illustrated.
Arrowhawk
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
A hawk survives eight weeks with an arrow stuck through his thigh before his rescue. Dramatic earth-toned paintings.
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
A hawk survives eight weeks with an arrow stuck through his thigh before his rescue. Dramatic earth-toned paintings.
A Year of Jewish Stories
by Grace Ragues Maisel
Illustrator: Tammy L. Keiser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Original stories and retellings of classic stories from various Jewish sources. Full-page watercolors.
by Grace Ragues Maisel
Illustrator: Tammy L. Keiser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Original stories and retellings of classic stories from various Jewish sources. Full-page watercolors.
Becoming Naomi Leon
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
When her mother appears after a seven-year absence, Naomi's world is threatened and she must summon all her courage and self reliance.
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
When her mother appears after a seven-year absence, Naomi's world is threatened and she must summon all her courage and self reliance.
Beekman's Big Deal
by Michael de Guzman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Beekman and his father are always on the move, away from the bill collector and in search of the next big thing, until Beekman decides he's had enough.
by Michael de Guzman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2004
Beekman and his father are always on the move, away from the bill collector and in search of the next big thing, until Beekman decides he's had enough.