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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Ellie Engle Saves Herself
Leah Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ellie, a Black girl, is content to play the supporting role to her best friend, whom she has a secret crush on. Will waking up with a superpower make Ellie the hero of her own story?
Leah Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ellie, a Black girl, is content to play the supporting role to her best friend, whom she has a secret crush on. Will waking up with a superpower make Ellie the hero of her own story?
Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía, The
Alexandra Alessandri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When Valentina and her younger brother enter a magical world with many creatures they recognize from Colombian folklore, they discover family secrets.
Alexandra Alessandri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When Valentina and her younger brother enter a magical world with many creatures they recognize from Colombian folklore, they discover family secrets.
Enlighten Me
Minh Lê
Illustrator: Chan Chau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Binh's outrage over being targeted at school for his Vietnamese identity turns reflective during a family meditative retreat where several Buddhist parables are told. Graphic autumnal-palette illustrations. Bibliography.
Minh Lê
Illustrator: Chan Chau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Binh's outrage over being targeted at school for his Vietnamese identity turns reflective during a family meditative retreat where several Buddhist parables are told. Graphic autumnal-palette illustrations. Bibliography.
Eyes & the Impossible, The
Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Johannes, a dog in an unnamed park, enlists the aid of other animals to set free his friends, three bison. Illustrations of Johannes within classic landscape paintings by various artists.
Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Johannes, a dog in an unnamed park, enlists the aid of other animals to set free his friends, three bison. Illustrations of Johannes within classic landscape paintings by various artists.
Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla
Alexandra Diaz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When Victoria and her family flee to Miami from Castro's regime in 1960, she helps her cousin bring the rest of the family over. Glossary. Author's note.
Alexandra Diaz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When Victoria and her family flee to Miami from Castro's regime in 1960, she helps her cousin bring the rest of the family over. Glossary. Author's note.
Forest in the Sea, The: Seaweed Solutions to Planetary Problems (Books for a Better Earth series)
Anita Sanchez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Underwater algae support marine ecosystems, mitigating climate change; are used as fertilizer and food; and have a role in creating bioplastics and medicine. Full-color photographs. Extensive back matter.
Anita Sanchez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Underwater algae support marine ecosystems, mitigating climate change; are used as fertilizer and food; and have a role in creating bioplastics and medicine. Full-color photographs. Extensive back matter.
Four Eyes (Four Eyes series)
Rex Ogle
Illustrator: Dave Valeza, colors by Ash Szymanik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Being bullied at middle school gets even worse for Rex when he has to wear glasses, especially since his family can only afford the cheapest pair. Colorful textured cells.
Rex Ogle
Illustrator: Dave Valeza, colors by Ash Szymanik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Being bullied at middle school gets even worse for Rex when he has to wear glasses, especially since his family can only afford the cheapest pair. Colorful textured cells.
Fungi Grow
Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mushrooms grow everywhere on earth: some are edible, some medicinal, and some help trees and other plants thrive. Stunning detailed, colorful illustrations.
Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mushrooms grow everywhere on earth: some are edible, some medicinal, and some help trees and other plants thrive. Stunning detailed, colorful illustrations.
Galápagos: Islands of Change
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Crucial organisms in the Galápagos ecosystems are highlighted in varied, lyrical verse, accompanied by colorful illustrations and scientific explanations. Back matter includes glossary, map, poetry notes, and resources.
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Crucial organisms in the Galápagos ecosystems are highlighted in varied, lyrical verse, accompanied by colorful illustrations and scientific explanations. Back matter includes glossary, map, poetry notes, and resources.
Game of Freedom: Mestre Bimba and the Art of Capoeira
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Distinctive illustrations and comprehensive text highlight a legendary teacher of capoeira, a Brazilian mix of "music, fighting, theatrics, and dance," now spread worldwide. Glossary, endnotes, photos. Also available in Spanish.
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Distinctive illustrations and comprehensive text highlight a legendary teacher of capoeira, a Brazilian mix of "music, fighting, theatrics, and dance," now spread worldwide. Glossary, endnotes, photos. Also available in Spanish.
Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium
Lena Anlauf
Illustrator: Vitali Konstantinov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Locating food and predators, producing mating calls, and regulating body temperature are among the functions of different animals' noses. Detailed ink and colored pencil illustrations. Glossary, notes, index.
Lena Anlauf
Illustrator: Vitali Konstantinov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Locating food and predators, producing mating calls, and regulating body temperature are among the functions of different animals' noses. Detailed ink and colored pencil illustrations. Glossary, notes, index.
Ghost Book
Remy Lai
Illustrator: Remy Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
July Chen, 12, meets a boy ghost whose fate may be linked to hers. They need to outrun a death god to find answers. Action-packed full-color illustrations.
Remy Lai
Illustrator: Remy Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
July Chen, 12, meets a boy ghost whose fate may be linked to hers. They need to outrun a death god to find answers. Action-packed full-color illustrations.
Glaciers Are Alive
Debbie S. Miller
Illustrator: Jon Van Zyle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Realistic acrylic illustrations and simple text portray the many animals and plants that depend on glaciers, massive rivers of ice. Glossary.
Debbie S. Miller
Illustrator: Jon Van Zyle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Realistic acrylic illustrations and simple text portray the many animals and plants that depend on glaciers, massive rivers of ice. Glossary.
Gossamer Summer
H. M. Bouwman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mourning the loss of her grandmother, Jojo stops telling a story about fairies. A summer adventure with her sisters and a new neighbor restores her trust in magic and provides comfort.
H. M. Bouwman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mourning the loss of her grandmother, Jojo stops telling a story about fairies. A summer adventure with her sisters and a new neighbor restores her trust in magic and provides comfort.
Grace of Wild Things, The
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A 12-year-old witch escapes an orphanage and pluckily apprentices herself to a cantankerous older witch who initially wants to have nothing to do with her.
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A 12-year-old witch escapes an orphanage and pluckily apprentices herself to a cantankerous older witch who initially wants to have nothing to do with her.
Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush
Patrice Lawrence
Illustrator: Camilla Sucre
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ava and her Trinidadian grandmother talk about inspirational women in Black history, and then Ava decides who to dress up as for a school project. Vibrant yellow-hued illustrations. Back matter.
Patrice Lawrence
Illustrator: Camilla Sucre
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ava and her Trinidadian grandmother talk about inspirational women in Black history, and then Ava decides who to dress up as for a school project. Vibrant yellow-hued illustrations. Back matter.
Greenwild: The World behind the Door
Pari Thomson
Illustrator: Alan Baker, map by Elisa Paganelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Daisy, 11, loves traveling the globe with her eco-journalist mother. When her mother disappears into an alternate universe, Daisy faces powerful enemies as she tries to find her. Engaging black-and-white illustrations. Map.
Pari Thomson
Illustrator: Alan Baker, map by Elisa Paganelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Daisy, 11, loves traveling the globe with her eco-journalist mother. When her mother disappears into an alternate universe, Daisy faces powerful enemies as she tries to find her. Engaging black-and-white illustrations. Map.
Grip, The (Marcus Stroman series)
Marcus Stroman, with Samantha Thornhill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A fictionalized account of the author as a talented hard-working young pitcher whose performance anxiety leads him to a mental health professional for help.
Marcus Stroman, with Samantha Thornhill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A fictionalized account of the author as a talented hard-working young pitcher whose performance anxiety leads him to a mental health professional for help.
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories
Hanna Alkaf
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During the COVID pandemic, a Malaysian girl ill-advisedly wanders into a magic jungle. After inadvertently stealing from an enchanted tiger to help her sick grandmother, she must make amends.
Hanna Alkaf
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During the COVID pandemic, a Malaysian girl ill-advisedly wanders into a magic jungle. After inadvertently stealing from an enchanted tiger to help her sick grandmother, she must make amends.
Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives during the Holocaust
Elisa Boxer
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During World War II, French teenager Jacqueline delivered false identification papers, concealed in a toy duck, to Jews in hiding. But was Jacqueline also hiding a dangerous secret? Atmospheric mixed-media illustrations.
Elisa Boxer
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During World War II, French teenager Jacqueline delivered false identification papers, concealed in a toy duck, to Jews in hiding. But was Jacqueline also hiding a dangerous secret? Atmospheric mixed-media illustrations.
Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes
Traci N. Todd
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
How did Ormes, a pioneering Black cartoonist, create her iconic comic strip characters? Stylish digital art incorporates comic-art techniques. Back matter.
Traci N. Todd
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
How did Ormes, a pioneering Black cartoonist, create her iconic comic strip characters? Stylish digital art incorporates comic-art techniques. Back matter.
Honey Jar, The: An Armenian's Escape to Freedom
Joan Schoettler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During his family's harrowing escape from Armenia in 192O, eight-year-old Bedros becomes responsible for his three sisters, but one of them gets lost. Do they ever reunite? Based on a true story. Free verse. Map. Author's note.
Joan Schoettler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During his family's harrowing escape from Armenia in 192O, eight-year-old Bedros becomes responsible for his three sisters, but one of them gets lost. Do they ever reunite? Based on a true story. Free verse. Map. Author's note.
How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?: Explore Earth's Most Extreme Places through Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, and Taste
Leisa Stewart-Sharpe
Illustrator: Aaron Cushley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Bring your five senses to experience 12 amazing locations. Geographical and historical information. Enlivening illustrations. Glossary.
Leisa Stewart-Sharpe
Illustrator: Aaron Cushley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Bring your five senses to experience 12 amazing locations. Geographical and historical information. Enlivening illustrations. Glossary.
How to Spacewalk: Step-by-Step with Shuttle Astronauts
Kathryn D. Sullivan and Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Michael J. Rosen; photographs by Kathryn D. Sullivan and others
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Three-time space shuttle astronaut Kathryn Sullivan details the steps involved in preparing for and undertaking a spacewalk. Color illustrations and photographs, including some taken by Sullivan.
Kathryn D. Sullivan and Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Michael J. Rosen; photographs by Kathryn D. Sullivan and others
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Three-time space shuttle astronaut Kathryn Sullivan details the steps involved in preparing for and undertaking a spacewalk. Color illustrations and photographs, including some taken by Sullivan.
I Am Kavi
Thushanthi Ponweera
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Kavi, 10, a scholarship student in 1998 Sri Lanka, lies in order to be liked by the popular girls—until she is caught. Free verse.
Thushanthi Ponweera
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Kavi, 10, a scholarship student in 1998 Sri Lanka, lies in order to be liked by the popular girls—until she is caught. Free verse.