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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Swallows' Flight, The
Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Challenges and circumstances faced at the dawn of World War II bring two girls in England and two boys in Germany together.
Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Challenges and circumstances faced at the dawn of World War II bring two girls in England and two boys in Germany together.
Tale as Tall as Jacob, A: Misadventures With My Brother
Samantha Edwards
Illustrator: Samantha Edwards
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A realistic and often funny look at living and loving a brother with ADHD. Colorful, animated graphic drawings. Based on the author's childhood.
Samantha Edwards
Illustrator: Samantha Edwards
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A realistic and often funny look at living and loving a brother with ADHD. Colorful, animated graphic drawings. Based on the author's childhood.
Ten Thousand Tries
Amy Makechnie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
As Golden copes with his father's ALS disease, his friend moving, and his goals as a soccer player, he accepts that he can't control everything.
Amy Makechnie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
As Golden copes with his father's ALS disease, his friend moving, and his goals as a soccer player, he accepts that he can't control everything.
They're So Flamboyant
Michael Genhart
Illustrator: Tony Neal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A family of flamingos moves into the bird neighborhood. upsetting the other birds. Playful word play. Stylized illustrations. Glossary. Back matter.
Michael Genhart
Illustrator: Tony Neal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A family of flamingos moves into the bird neighborhood. upsetting the other birds. Playful word play. Stylized illustrations. Glossary. Back matter.
Thief of Worlds, The
Bruce Coville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Four characters from different spheres, needing wind, fire, earth & water, travel together to save their worlds from environmental disaster.
Bruce Coville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Four characters from different spheres, needing wind, fire, earth & water, travel together to save their worlds from environmental disaster.
Three Princes of Serendip, The: New Tellings of Old Tales for Everyone
Rodaan Al Galidi
Illustrator: Geertje Aalders
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Twenty Middle Eastern fables and folktales are paired with vibrant cut-paper art.
Rodaan Al Galidi
Illustrator: Geertje Aalders
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Twenty Middle Eastern fables and folktales are paired with vibrant cut-paper art.
Together We March: 25 Protest Movements That Marched into History
Leah Henderson
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
From the mill children who walked with Mother Jones in 1907 to the activists in today's Black Lives Matter protests, people demonstrate the power of fighting together for social justice. Bright cartoon-like illustrations. Time line and bibliography.
Leah Henderson
Illustrator: Tyler Feder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
From the mill children who walked with Mother Jones in 1907 to the activists in today's Black Lives Matter protests, people demonstrate the power of fighting together for social justice. Bright cartoon-like illustrations. Time line and bibliography.
Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Jeff Gottesfeld
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
An account of how the United States came to honor its soldiers who died nameless in the line of duty. Evocative pencil and digitally painted illustrations.
Jeff Gottesfeld
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
An account of how the United States came to honor its soldiers who died nameless in the line of duty. Evocative pencil and digitally painted illustrations.
Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott
Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After 35 years in an institution, a woman with Down syndrome was rescued by her twin and becomes a renowned fiber artist. Mixed media.
Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After 35 years in an institution, a woman with Down syndrome was rescued by her twin and becomes a renowned fiber artist. Mixed media.
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas
Anita Silvey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Fossey's research on gorillas and dedication to them included a controversial relationship with poachers. Full-color photographs. Exemplary documentation, detailed maps.
Anita Silvey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Fossey's research on gorillas and dedication to them included a controversial relationship with poachers. Full-color photographs. Exemplary documentation, detailed maps.
Unsettled
Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Soumbal Qureshi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Nurah, 13 and Muslim, struggles to define her identity after moving from Pakistan to America. Free Verse. Mehndi-like illustrations.
Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Soumbal Qureshi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Nurah, 13 and Muslim, struggles to define her identity after moving from Pakistan to America. Free Verse. Mehndi-like illustrations.
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
Carol Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
How Greenwood, an African American community in Oklahoma, was attacked in 1921 and set fire by a white mob. Free verse and sepia paintings.
Carol Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
How Greenwood, an African American community in Oklahoma, was attacked in 1921 and set fire by a white mob. Free verse and sepia paintings.
Violet and the Pie of Life
Debra Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Violet's dad has moved out, her mom won't stop nagging, and her BFF is mad at her. Can math and the school play help her to solve these problems?
Debra Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Violet's dad has moved out, her mom won't stop nagging, and her BFF is mad at her. Can math and the school play help her to solve these problems?
Voyage of the Sparrowhawk
Natasha Farrant
Illustrator: Map by David Dean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After World War I friends Ben and Lotti cross the English Channel to find missing relatives.
Natasha Farrant
Illustrator: Map by David Dean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After World War I friends Ben and Lotti cross the English Channel to find missing relatives.
War and Millie McGonigle
Karen Cushman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
In 1941, Millie is hard-pressed to find laughter in her life after Gram dies, but her imagination and humor can't be suppressed.
Karen Cushman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
In 1941, Millie is hard-pressed to find laughter in her life after Gram dies, but her imagination and humor can't be suppressed.
We Belong
Cookie Hiponia Everman
Illustrator: Abigail Dela Cruz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
At bedtime a Filipino mother weaves together her immigration story and Tagalog mythology for her two daughters. Free verse. Spot art, glossary, songs, and afterword.
Cookie Hiponia Everman
Illustrator: Abigail Dela Cruz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
At bedtime a Filipino mother weaves together her immigration story and Tagalog mythology for her two daughters. Free verse. Spot art, glossary, songs, and afterword.
We Can: Portraits of Power
Tyler Gordon
Illustrator: Tyler Gordon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Boldly painted portraits and biographical sketches of famous people, drawn and written by a partially deaf African American teenager.
Tyler Gordon
Illustrator: Tyler Gordon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Boldly painted portraits and biographical sketches of famous people, drawn and written by a partially deaf African American teenager.
When Pigs Fly (A Batpig Book)
Rob Harrell
Illustrator: Rob Harrell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When an average pig, develops superpowers, his indiscreet friend experiments and accidentally creates a supervillain. Humorous, dynamic illustrations.
Rob Harrell
Illustrator: Rob Harrell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When an average pig, develops superpowers, his indiscreet friend experiments and accidentally creates a supervillain. Humorous, dynamic illustrations.
Willodeen
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When a village eradicates the unlovable screechers, its beloved hummingbears also disappear. Magic with an environmental plea. Whimsical spot art.
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When a village eradicates the unlovable screechers, its beloved hummingbears also disappear. Magic with an environmental plea. Whimsical spot art.
Wisdom of Trees, The: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom
Lita Judge
Illustrator: Lita Judge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Trees communicate and cooperate via complex underground networks that deforestation is disrupting. Soft watercolors and short poems. Resources.
Lita Judge
Illustrator: Lita Judge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Trees communicate and cooperate via complex underground networks that deforestation is disrupting. Soft watercolors and short poems. Resources.
World Below the Brine, The
Walt Whitman
Illustrator: James Christopher Carroll
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Lush, immersive illustrations accompany Walt Whitman's poem that marvels at the vast, deep, and mysterious world beyond our shores.
Walt Whitman
Illustrator: James Christopher Carroll
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Lush, immersive illustrations accompany Walt Whitman's poem that marvels at the vast, deep, and mysterious world beyond our shores.
Year I Flew Away, The
Marie Arnold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Gabrielle is sent from Haiti to Brooklyn to live with relatives, learn English, and attend public school. A witch seems to help, but then . . . .
Marie Arnold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Gabrielle is sent from Haiti to Brooklyn to live with relatives, learn English, and attend public school. A witch seems to help, but then . . . .
365 Days to Alaska
Cathy Carr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Rigel, 11, lives "off the grid" in Alaska - no running water, no electricity. Moving to noisy, congested Connecticut seems an impossible challenge.
Cathy Carr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Rigel, 11, lives "off the grid" in Alaska - no running water, no electricity. Moving to noisy, congested Connecticut seems an impossible challenge.
Above The Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball
Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Before Colin Kaepernick kneeled in protest of discrimination, Elgin's protests helped to change NBA policies. Sumptuous oil illustrations reflect his athleticism. Source notes and timeline.
Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Before Colin Kaepernick kneeled in protest of discrimination, Elgin's protests helped to change NBA policies. Sumptuous oil illustrations reflect his athleticism. Source notes and timeline.
All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing
Chris Barton
Illustrator: Nicole Xu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Seedlings from an elm tree still standing after the bombing of the Federal Building become an important part of the healing process. Ink folk art-style illustrations. Back matter.
Chris Barton
Illustrator: Nicole Xu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Seedlings from an elm tree still standing after the bombing of the Federal Building become an important part of the healing process. Ink folk art-style illustrations. Back matter.