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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Together Apart
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A gentle falling-in-love story with the blizzard of 1888 as background. Also examines the condition of women in a prairie society.
by Dianne E. Gray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A gentle falling-in-love story with the blizzard of 1888 as background. Also examines the condition of women in a prairie society.
trouble don't last
by Shelley Pearsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A young slave unexpectedly finds himself following the Underground Railroad toward Canada and freedom.
by Shelley Pearsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A young slave unexpectedly finds himself following the Underground Railroad toward Canada and freedom.
Trout and Me
by Susan Shreve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
After Trout, labeled a bad kid, comes to his school, Ben finds a true friend and also realizes his own inner strength.
by Susan Shreve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
After Trout, labeled a bad kid, comes to his school, Ben finds a true friend and also realizes his own inner strength.
Tyler on Prime Time
by Steve Atinsky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Twelve-year-old Tyler gets an insider's look at the production of a TV sitcom in Hollywood--and a chance to audition. Information on acting and production.
by Steve Atinsky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Twelve-year-old Tyler gets an insider's look at the production of a TV sitcom in Hollywood--and a chance to audition. Information on acting and production.
Up On Cloud Nine
by Anne Fine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Ian describes his quirky friend and the ups and downs of their relationship in this unusual and unusual story.
by Anne Fine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Ian describes his quirky friend and the ups and downs of their relationship in this unusual and unusual story.
What Would Joey Do?
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Joey Pigza tries hard to balance his difficult behavior in the midst of total parental chaos.
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Joey Pigza tries hard to balance his difficult behavior in the midst of total parental chaos.
When Pirates Came to Brooklyn
by Phyllis Shalant
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Jewish Lee and Catholic Polly share a love of fantasy and fun, despite their mothers' prejudices.
by Phyllis Shalant
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Jewish Lee and Catholic Polly share a love of fantasy and fun, despite their mothers' prejudices.
When the Circus Came to Town
by Laurence Yep
Illustrator: Suling Wang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A magical Chinese circus in a small Montana frontier town helps heal a badly disfigured ten-year-old and brings joy to her community. Based on a true story.
by Laurence Yep
Illustrator: Suling Wang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A magical Chinese circus in a small Montana frontier town helps heal a badly disfigured ten-year-old and brings joy to her community. Based on a true story.
Where the Ground Meets the Sky
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
The atomic bomb's development through the eyes of a physicist's brainy and high-spirited daughter. Thought-provoking.
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
The atomic bomb's development through the eyes of a physicist's brainy and high-spirited daughter. Thought-provoking.
Wild Man Island
by Will Hobbs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Andy's survival skills are tested on Alaska's Admiralty Island, where he's alone and help comes from unexpected sources.
by Will Hobbs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Andy's survival skills are tested on Alaska's Admiralty Island, where he's alone and help comes from unexpected sources.
Wingwalker
by Rosemary Wells
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Heartbreak and adventure after dust storms change life forever in Ambler, Oklahoma. Evocative paintings.
by Rosemary Wells
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Heartbreak and adventure after dust storms change life forever in Ambler, Oklahoma. Evocative paintings.
Zulu Dog
by Anton Ferreira
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Amid the post-apartheid South African tensions, eleven-year-old Vusi trains his handicapped dog, astounds his harshest critics and bridges racial divides.
by Anton Ferreira
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Amid the post-apartheid South African tensions, eleven-year-old Vusi trains his handicapped dog, astounds his harshest critics and bridges racial divides.
A Boy at War
by Harry Mazer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
The teen-age son of a naval lieutenant on the U.S.S. Arizona survives the Japanese surprise attack. Exciting.
by Harry Mazer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
The teen-age son of a naval lieutenant on the U.S.S. Arizona survives the Japanese surprise attack. Exciting.
Abraham Lincoln
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
The fictional correspondence between a twelve-year-old slave girl and President Loncoln during the Civil War.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
The fictional correspondence between a twelve-year-old slave girl and President Loncoln during the Civil War.
Ackamarackus
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: Emilie Chollat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Six original, fun-filled and nonsensical fables.
by Julius Lester
Illustrator: Emilie Chollat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Six original, fun-filled and nonsensical fables.
All The Way Home
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
In 1941 Brooklyn, Mariel, who bears scars of polio, and Brick, homesick for his farm, discover the fortitude and heart †o face their lives.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
In 1941 Brooklyn, Mariel, who bears scars of polio, and Brick, homesick for his farm, discover the fortitude and heart †o face their lives.
A Long Way Home
by Nancy Price Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Twelve-year-old Riley and his mother move back to her hometown in Vermont and are confronted with issues regarding Vietnam and the Civil War.
by Nancy Price Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Twelve-year-old Riley and his mother move back to her hometown in Vermont and are confronted with issues regarding Vietnam and the Civil War.
Angel on the Square
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
As “podruga” or special friend to the Grand Dutchess Anastasia, Katy Ivanova lives through the events of 1913-1918 that will change her and Russia forever.
by Gloria Whelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
As “podruga” or special friend to the Grand Dutchess Anastasia, Katy Ivanova lives through the events of 1913-1918 that will change her and Russia forever.
Anna Casey's Place in the World
by Adrian Fogelin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
A foster child is determined to find a family-- and she eventually does.
by Adrian Fogelin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
A foster child is determined to find a family-- and she eventually does.
Annie Quinn in America
by Mical Schneider
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Annie escapes the potato famine only to find nineteenth-century New York City dangerous for an unprotected Irish child.
by Mical Schneider
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Annie escapes the potato famine only to find nineteenth-century New York City dangerous for an unprotected Irish child.
Any Small Goodness
by Tony Johnston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Growing up in East Los Angeles, Arturo Rodriguez is sustained by his loving Mexican family.
by Tony Johnston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Growing up in East Los Angeles, Arturo Rodriguez is sustained by his loving Mexican family.
Aquamarine
by Alice Hoffman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
A grumpy mermaid makes separation possible for two best friends.
by Alice Hoffman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
A grumpy mermaid makes separation possible for two best friends.
A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
In twelfth-century Korea, a young homeless boy finds work with a master potter.
by Linda Sue Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
In twelfth-century Korea, a young homeless boy finds work with a master potter.
Becoming Little Women
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Ten-year-old Louisa and her family move to a farm where they hope to live a utopian life and make a difference in the world.
by Jeannine Atkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
Ten-year-old Louisa and her family move to a farm where they hope to live a utopian life and make a difference in the world.
Benno's Bear
by N.F. Zucker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
After an arrest for picking pockets, Benno grieves for his lost bear and tries to adjust to a foster home.
by N.F. Zucker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2001
After an arrest for picking pockets, Benno grieves for his lost bear and tries to adjust to a foster home.