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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Shatterglass
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Tris tutors a reluctant older student, helps find a murderer and continues her own magical studies.
by Tamora Pierce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Tris tutors a reluctant older student, helps find a murderer and continues her own magical studies.
Skinny-Dipping At Monster Lake
by Bill Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
There's not really a monster in Cedar Lake...or is there? Kent and his friends find out and save the day.
by Bill Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
There's not really a monster in Cedar Lake...or is there? Kent and his friends find out and save the day.
Starry Nights
by Judith Clarke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Eerie ghost story about two sisters, whose move to a new house was precipitated by a family tragedy. Surprising ending.
by Judith Clarke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Eerie ghost story about two sisters, whose move to a new house was precipitated by a family tragedy. Surprising ending.
Sword of the Rightful King
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Superb storytelling gives vigorous identity to Arthur and his court with a twist on the legend of the pulling of the sword.
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Superb storytelling gives vigorous identity to Arthur and his court with a twist on the legend of the pulling of the sword.
Tadpole
by Ruth White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Neither poverty nor an abusive guardian can prevent Tadpole from making the most of his talents.
by Ruth White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Neither poverty nor an abusive guardian can prevent Tadpole from making the most of his talents.
The Cheat
by Amy Goldman Koss
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A group of middle-school kids is caught cheating on a geography test with surprising outcomes.
by Amy Goldman Koss
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A group of middle-school kids is caught cheating on a geography test with surprising outcomes.
The Curse of the Raven Mocker
by Marly Youmans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Adanta must confront evil before her quest for her missing parents can be fulfilled and the raven's spell broken.
by Marly Youmans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Adanta must confront evil before her quest for her missing parents can be fulfilled and the raven's spell broken.
The Dream Bearer
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Twelve-year-old David comes to understand his father's frightening, unpredictable behavior--and himself--through a stranger's mysterious dreams.
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Twelve-year-old David comes to understand his father's frightening, unpredictable behavior--and himself--through a stranger's mysterious dreams.
The Ghost Behind the Wall
by Melvin Burgess
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
David's curiosity leads him into his apartment's ventilating shafts, where he encounters a ghost and ultimately befriends a lonely, needy old man.
by Melvin Burgess
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
David's curiosity leads him into his apartment's ventilating shafts, where he encounters a ghost and ultimately befriends a lonely, needy old man.
The Glass Cafe
by Gary Paulsen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A single mother, an exotic dancer, runs afoul of the law when she defends her son's art work.
by Gary Paulsen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A single mother, an exotic dancer, runs afoul of the law when she defends her son's art work.
The Gorillas of Gill Park
by Amy Gordon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
As Willy Wilson spends the summer with an aunt making thirty gorilla suits, his life revolves around nearby Gill Park, its music and amazing people.
by Amy Gordon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
As Willy Wilson spends the summer with an aunt making thirty gorilla suits, his life revolves around nearby Gill Park, its music and amazing people.
The Heroic Adventure of Hercules Amsterdam
by Melissa Glenn Haber
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Three inch tall Hercules must save his new mice friends from impending danger. Of course he needs a girl to help.
by Melissa Glenn Haber
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Three inch tall Hercules must save his new mice friends from impending danger. Of course he needs a girl to help.
The Impossible Journey
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The disappearance of their parents lead Marya and Georgi to attempt a perilous journey to Siberia in Stalinist Soviet Union.
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
The disappearance of their parents lead Marya and Georgi to attempt a perilous journey to Siberia in Stalinist Soviet Union.
The Ravenmaster's Secret
by Elvira Woodruff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1735, an eleven-year-old, who lives in the Tower of London, must decide whether to aid a Scottish traitor. Historical notes, glossary and bibliography.
by Elvira Woodruff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1735, an eleven-year-old, who lives in the Tower of London, must decide whether to aid a Scottish traitor. Historical notes, glossary and bibliography.
The Revealers
by Doug Wilhelm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Three unpopular seventh-graders find a creative and effective way to address the bullying in their school.
by Doug Wilhelm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Three unpopular seventh-graders find a creative and effective way to address the bullying in their school.
The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley
by Martine Murray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A quirky girl deals with her absentee mother, run-away brother and deceased father in a charming and whimsical coming-of-age story.
by Martine Murray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A quirky girl deals with her absentee mother, run-away brother and deceased father in a charming and whimsical coming-of-age story.
The Steps
by Rachel Cohn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Wise-cracking twelve-year-old Annabel, a dedicated Manhattanite, deals with her burgeoning step-families in Australia and New York with humor and sensitivity.
by Rachel Cohn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Wise-cracking twelve-year-old Annabel, a dedicated Manhattanite, deals with her burgeoning step-families in Australia and New York with humor and sensitivity.
The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly
by Luis Sepúlveda
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A dying seagull exacts a challenging commitment from a cat.
by Luis Sepúlveda
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A dying seagull exacts a challenging commitment from a cat.
The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A small mouse, who loves light, music and a princess, becomes engaged in a desperate adventure which tests his valor.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A small mouse, who loves light, music and a princess, becomes engaged in a desperate adventure which tests his valor.
The Warriors
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Separated from his Iroquois reservation, Jake finds he has more to offer his new community than his skill at lacrosse.
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Separated from his Iroquois reservation, Jake finds he has more to offer his new community than his skill at lacrosse.
The Wee Free Men
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
With the help of an army of Wee Free Men, a nine-year-old enters the world of dreams to save her baby brother fom an evil Queen.
by Terry Pratchett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
With the help of an army of Wee Free Men, a nine-year-old enters the world of dreams to save her baby brother fom an evil Queen.
Tooth and Claw
written and ill. by Ted Lewin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Naturalist Ted Lewin studies animals as varied as the African dung beetle and the ferocious Bengal tiger in India.
written and ill. by Ted Lewin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
Naturalist Ted Lewin studies animals as varied as the African dung beetle and the ferocious Bengal tiger in India.
Uncommon Faith
by Trudy Krisher
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1837-38, the various residents of Millbrook. Massachusetts, including a spunky rebellious teenager named Faith, fight for women's rights and against slavery.
by Trudy Krisher
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
In 1837-38, the various residents of Millbrook. Massachusetts, including a spunky rebellious teenager named Faith, fight for women's rights and against slavery.
Utterly Me, Clarice Bean
written and ill. by Lauren Child
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A quirky third child manages her family of six and school adventures with an open heart.
written and ill. by Lauren Child
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
A quirky third child manages her family of six and school adventures with an open heart.
Varjak Paw
by SF Said
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
An outcast Mesopotamian Blue cat, with help from friends and an ancient secret, battles an evil cat snatcher. Lush illustrations.
by SF Said
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2003
An outcast Mesopotamian Blue cat, with help from friends and an ancient secret, battles an evil cat snatcher. Lush illustrations.