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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I Wonder as I Wander
by Gwenyth Swain
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
During the Depression, Anne follows her wandering preacher father as they mourn for her dead mother.
by Gwenyth Swain
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
During the Depression, Anne follows her wandering preacher father as they mourn for her dead mother.
Izzy's Place
by Marc Kornblatt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Ten-year-old Henry is sent to spend the summer with his recently widowed grandmother, leaving behind his fighting parents. Friendship and hope come from an unexpected source.
by Marc Kornblatt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Ten-year-old Henry is sent to spend the summer with his recently widowed grandmother, leaving behind his fighting parents. Friendship and hope come from an unexpected source.
Jack Adrift
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Eight comical and interrelated stories about the school and family life of nine-year-old Jack Henry. A prequel to the series.
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Eight comical and interrelated stories about the school and family life of nine-year-old Jack Henry. A prequel to the series.
Kensuke's Kingdom
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Washed overboard while sailing around the world with his parents, Michael survives on an island aided by its sole inhabitant.
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Washed overboard while sailing around the world with his parents, Michael survives on an island aided by its sole inhabitant.
Li'l Dan the Drummer Boy
written and ill. by Romare Bearden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A slave saves the Union soldiers who saved him. Written and illustrated by the famous African-American artist.
written and ill. by Romare Bearden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A slave saves the Union soldiers who saved him. Written and illustrated by the famous African-American artist.
Lily B. on the Brink of Cool
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Longing to be a writer, Lily B. records the learning experience of her thirteenth summer--uneventful at the start, and then far too outrageous.
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Longing to be a writer, Lily B. records the learning experience of her thirteenth summer--uneventful at the start, and then far too outrageous.
Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
After the death of his parents, Lonnie Collins endures separation from his sister and life in several foster homes until he finds his poetic voice with aid of a gifted teacher.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
After the death of his parents, Lonnie Collins endures separation from his sister and life in several foster homes until he finds his poetic voice with aid of a gifted teacher.
Macaroni Boy
by Katherine Ayres
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Mike Costa deals with a bully and solves a mystery in this story of an Italian-American family in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression.
by Katherine Ayres
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Mike Costa deals with a bully and solves a mystery in this story of an Italian-American family in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression.
Maggie's Door
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Nory Ryan and her family face anguish and hardship on their long, difficult ocean crossing from Ireland to America in 1845.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Nory Ryan and her family face anguish and hardship on their long, difficult ocean crossing from Ireland to America in 1845.
Message in the Sky
by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A ten-year-old records his new life in Canada and his adventures in helping others gain their freedom.
by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A ten-year-old records his new life in Canada and his adventures in helping others gain their freedom.
Mightier Than the Sword
collected by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The definition of “hero” is expanded to include boys who solve problems without resorting to force.
collected by Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Raul Colón
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The definition of “hero” is expanded to include boys who solve problems without resorting to force.
Millicent Min, Girl Genius
by Lisa Yee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A brilliant eleven-year-old, in her last year of high school, must learn to overcome her inadequate social skills.
by Lisa Yee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A brilliant eleven-year-old, in her last year of high school, must learn to overcome her inadequate social skills.
Mingo
by Lenice U. Strohmeier
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In Colonial Massachusetts young Olivia learns about the importance of freedom from her father's slave, Mingo, who has become her cherished friend. Expressive oil paintings.
by Lenice U. Strohmeier
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In Colonial Massachusetts young Olivia learns about the importance of freedom from her father's slave, Mingo, who has become her cherished friend. Expressive oil paintings.
Minik's Story
by Jennifer Owings Dewey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The journey of a nineteenth century Inuit toward womanhood as she battles the harsh environment and conflict wih another culture.
by Jennifer Owings Dewey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The journey of a nineteenth century Inuit toward womanhood as she battles the harsh environment and conflict wih another culture.
Minn and Jake
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Genevieve Coté
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Two very different fifth grade outsiders find each other's strengths and become friends. Humorous poetic prose.
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Genevieve Coté
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Two very different fifth grade outsiders find each other's strengths and become friends. Humorous poetic prose.
Old Turtle and the Broken Truth
by Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A young girl learns that mending a “broken truth” will help her community bond. Exquisite watercolors.
by Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A young girl learns that mending a “broken truth” will help her community bond. Exquisite watercolors.
Olive's Ocean
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Summer vacation at her grandmother's beach house takes some unexpected turns when twelve-year-old Martha discovers eerie parallels between herself and a dead classmate.
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Summer vacation at her grandmother's beach house takes some unexpected turns when twelve-year-old Martha discovers eerie parallels between herself and a dead classmate.
Period Pieces
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The wonderful-terrible time for girls in transiton between childhood and womanhood with the differences over time and place.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The wonderful-terrible time for girls in transiton between childhood and womanhood with the differences over time and place.
Pinocchio
by Carlo Collodi
Illustrator: Sara Fanelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A new translation of the classic about the boy whose nose grows when he lies. Unique collages and painted illustrations.
by Carlo Collodi
Illustrator: Sara Fanelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A new translation of the classic about the boy whose nose grows when he lies. Unique collages and painted illustrations.
Rodzina
by Karen Cushman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
As a lonely, scared twelve-year-old travels west on an orphan train in 1881, she discovers her inner resources and strengths.
by Karen Cushman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
As a lonely, scared twelve-year-old travels west on an orphan train in 1881, she discovers her inner resources and strengths.
Ruby Electric
by Theresa Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Always hoping for her father's return, imaginative Ruby seeks refuge in movies and the script she is preparing for Spielberg.
by Theresa Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Always hoping for her father's return, imaginative Ruby seeks refuge in movies and the script she is preparing for Spielberg.
Sahara Special
by Esme Raji Codell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A troubled fifthe grader and her classmates acquire an unusual new teacher. Sensitive and hilarious.
by Esme Raji Codell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A troubled fifthe grader and her classmates acquire an unusual new teacher. Sensitive and hilarious.
Seaward Born
by Lea Wait
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1805, a thirteen-year-old slave hidden in a ship's barrel flees Charleston, South Carolina hoping for freedom.
by Lea Wait
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1805, a thirteen-year-old slave hidden in a ship's barrel flees Charleston, South Carolina hoping for freedom.
Secret Holes
by Pansie Hart Flood
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Sylvia's family tree grows as secrets are revealed in this warm, multi-generational rural South Carolina story.
by Pansie Hart Flood
Illustrator: Felicia Marshall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Sylvia's family tree grows as secrets are revealed in this warm, multi-generational rural South Carolina story.
Shadows on the Sea
by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Living with her grandmother in coastal Maine during the summer of 1942, Jill finds herself in the middle of a real spy story.
by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Living with her grandmother in coastal Maine during the summer of 1942, Jill finds herself in the middle of a real spy story.