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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How to Build a Story...Or, the Big What If
Frances O'Roark Dowell
Illustrator: Stacy Ebert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A fiction writing encouraging "how to" focuses on plot development. Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
Frances O'Roark Dowell
Illustrator: Stacy Ebert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A fiction writing encouraging "how to" focuses on plot development. Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
Ickabog, The
J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: various young winners of an illustration contest
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Two best friends face off against unscrupulous king's advisors, who have wrested control of the kingdom by inventing supposed threats from a legendary monster. Lively illustrations by young artists.
J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: various young winners of an illustration contest
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Two best friends face off against unscrupulous king's advisors, who have wrested control of the kingdom by inventing supposed threats from a legendary monster. Lively illustrations by young artists.
If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets
Erin McGill
Illustrator: Erin McGill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
United States Presidents have had a wide variety of pets in the White House, some of them unusual. Cartoon-like color illustrations.
Erin McGill
Illustrator: Erin McGill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
United States Presidents have had a wide variety of pets in the White House, some of them unusual. Cartoon-like color illustrations.
Ikenga
Nnedi Okorafor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
12-year-old Nigerian boy Nnambi is given an ikenga from his dead father which gives him superpowers to fight crime and solve his father's murder.
Nnedi Okorafor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
12-year-old Nigerian boy Nnambi is given an ikenga from his dead father which gives him superpowers to fight crime and solve his father's murder.
In One Ear and Out the Other: Antonia Brico & her amazingly musical life (Amazing Women series)
Diane Worthey
Illustrator: Morgana Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the 1930s, a female musician shattered male-dominated barriers to form a professional women's orchestra and conduct major symphonies worldwide. Evocative watercolor illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Diane Worthey
Illustrator: Morgana Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the 1930s, a female musician shattered male-dominated barriers to form a professional women's orchestra and conduct major symphonies worldwide. Evocative watercolor illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Isaiah Dunn is My Hero
Kelly J. Baptist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
His mother is barely coping following his father's death but Isaiah's inherited literary talent and a supportive community help the family begin to recover.
Kelly J. Baptist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
His mother is barely coping following his father's death but Isaiah's inherited literary talent and a supportive community help the family begin to recover.
Josie Bloom and the Emergency of Life
by Susan Hill Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Josie and her friend, Winky, aided at times by a teacher, solve Grandpa's problems as well as their own in heartfelt and, sometimes, comic ways.
by Susan Hill Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Josie and her friend, Winky, aided at times by a teacher, solve Grandpa's problems as well as their own in heartfelt and, sometimes, comic ways.
King and the Dragonflies
Kacen Callender
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Devastated by the death of his older brother, King is forced to deal with the pain of loneliness, grief, and self-acceptance.
Kacen Callender
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Devastated by the death of his older brother, King is forced to deal with the pain of loneliness, grief, and self-acceptance.
Land of the Cranes
Aida Salazar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Nine-year-old Betita recounts how she survives and holds onto her humanity in the horrific conditions of a for-profit ICE detention center. Verse.
Aida Salazar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Nine-year-old Betita recounts how she survives and holds onto her humanity in the horrific conditions of a for-profit ICE detention center. Verse.
Leaving Lymon
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An African-American boy in the 1940s faces terrible family problems but is strengthened by the love of his father, grandfather, and music.
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An African-American boy in the 1940s faces terrible family problems but is strengthened by the love of his father, grandfather, and music.
Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In 1854, African American Elizabeth Jennings challenges the seating on a whites only New York streetcar. Bold watercolor illustrations.
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In 1854, African American Elizabeth Jennings challenges the seating on a whites only New York streetcar. Bold watercolor illustrations.
Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane, The
Kate O'Shaughnessy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Maybelle's courageous road trip to a singing contest, where she plans to meet her father for the first time, provides opportunities for self-discovery and empathy.
Kate O'Shaughnessy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Maybelle's courageous road trip to a singing contest, where she plans to meet her father for the first time, provides opportunities for self-discovery and empathy.
Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Through interwoven monologues, three generations of a Mississippi sharecropping family share their history from the 1920s till the 1960s when they win the right to vote.
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Through interwoven monologues, three generations of a Mississippi sharecropping family share their history from the 1920s till the 1960s when they win the right to vote.
Love, Love
Victoria Chang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
White bullies make Chinese-American Frances miserable; her only outlet is tennis. Her sister is experiencing inexplicable hair loss; Frances determines to solve the mystery. In verse. Resources.
Victoria Chang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
White bullies make Chinese-American Frances miserable; her only outlet is tennis. Her sister is experiencing inexplicable hair loss; Frances determines to solve the mystery. In verse. Resources.
Lupe Wong Won't Dance
Donna Barba Higuera
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lupe, a 7th grader who describes herself as Chinacan or Mexinese, loves baseball and doesn't understand why square dancing is part of P.E.
Donna Barba Higuera
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lupe, a 7th grader who describes herself as Chinacan or Mexinese, loves baseball and doesn't understand why square dancing is part of P.E.
Magic of Clay, The
Adalucía
Illustrator: Adalucía
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A picture book guide explains in clear language the chemical makeup and molding, forming, heating and glazing of ceramics. Collage style illustrations.
Adalucía
Illustrator: Adalucía
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A picture book guide explains in clear language the chemical makeup and molding, forming, heating and glazing of ceramics. Collage style illustrations.
Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street, The
Lauren Oliver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When her father and the monsters in his care disappear, Cordelia, her friend Gregory, and two remaining monsters undertake a dangerous rescue mission. Ink on paper illustrations.
Lauren Oliver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When her father and the monsters in his care disappear, Cordelia, her friend Gregory, and two remaining monsters undertake a dangerous rescue mission. Ink on paper illustrations.
Mañanaland
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When Max, 11, discovers a family secret, he knows he must go on a journey to discover the truth about his mother, who disappeared shortly after his birth.
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When Max, 11, discovers a family secret, he knows he must go on a journey to discover the truth about his mother, who disappeared shortly after his birth.
Mary Seacole: Bound for the Battlefield
Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Richie Pope
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Mary, a Creole from Jamaica, travels to Crimea in 1854 to care for wounded soldiers on the battlefield, despite racism. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Richie Pope
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Mary, a Creole from Jamaica, travels to Crimea in 1854 to care for wounded soldiers on the battlefield, despite racism. Bold, colorful digital illustrations.
Maurice and His Dictionary: A True Story
Cary Fagan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A young boy pursues his education as he and his family flee Nazis and settle in a Jamaican internment camp. Muted-palette illustrations.
Cary Fagan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A young boy pursues his education as he and his family flee Nazis and settle in a Jamaican internment camp. Muted-palette illustrations.
Maya and the Rising Dark
Rena Barron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When her father disappears, Maya faces the news of her godling origins and must find a way to avert war with mythical creatures from The Dark.
Rena Barron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When her father disappears, Maya faces the news of her godling origins and must find a way to avert war with mythical creatures from The Dark.
Mayflower, The (History Smashers series)
Kate Messner
Illustrator: Dylan Meconis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Historical facts replace longstanding mythologies concerning pilgrims and Native Americans. Appealing child-friendly language, humorous illustrations, comic strips, diagrams, photos, maps, and extensive sourcing.
Kate Messner
Illustrator: Dylan Meconis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Historical facts replace longstanding mythologies concerning pilgrims and Native Americans. Appealing child-friendly language, humorous illustrations, comic strips, diagrams, photos, maps, and extensive sourcing.
Midnight Hour
Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After receiving mysterious letters in the night, Emily's parents disappear. Following them takes her to another plane of existence and revelations about her own magical nature.
Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After receiving mysterious letters in the night, Emily's parents disappear. Following them takes her to another plane of existence and revelations about her own magical nature.
Migrants, The
Issa Watanabe
Illustrator: Issa Watanabe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Against a nearly pitch-black background, colorful pencil-drawn illustrations of animals depict the arduous, yet hopeful, stories of their migrations.
Issa Watanabe
Illustrator: Issa Watanabe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Against a nearly pitch-black background, colorful pencil-drawn illustrations of animals depict the arduous, yet hopeful, stories of their migrations.
Missing, The: The True Story of My Family in World War II
Michael Rosen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An account of a search for family members who had gone missing in the Holocaust with lessons learned for today's world. Extensive suggestions for further reading.
Michael Rosen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An account of a search for family members who had gone missing in the Holocaust with lessons learned for today's world. Extensive suggestions for further reading.