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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Queen Bee and Me, The
Gillian McDunn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Meg is torn between old loyalties and what she really wants in this story of middle school social dynamics.
Gillian McDunn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Meg is torn between old loyalties and what she really wants in this story of middle school social dynamics.
Quintessence
Jess Redman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
With the aid of three other Elementals, 11-year-old Alma, plagued by panic attacks, attempts to save a fallen star and send her home.
Jess Redman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
With the aid of three other Elementals, 11-year-old Alma, plagued by panic attacks, attempts to save a fallen star and send her home.
Railway Jack: The True Story of an Amazing Baboon
KT Johnston
Illustrator: Cesar Samaniego
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the 1880s, after losing both legs, a South African railway inspector trained a baboon to help him perform his tasks. Animated period illustrations. Back matter.
KT Johnston
Illustrator: Cesar Samaniego
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the 1880s, after losing both legs, a South African railway inspector trained a baboon to help him perform his tasks. Animated period illustrations. Back matter.
Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History
Sarah Prager
Illustrator: Sarah Papworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Concise biographies highlights the myriad accomplishments, over the years, achieved by people in the LGBTQ+ community. Colorful, stylized art accompanies each bio.
Sarah Prager
Illustrator: Sarah Papworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Concise biographies highlights the myriad accomplishments, over the years, achieved by people in the LGBTQ+ community. Colorful, stylized art accompanies each bio.
Red Menace
Lois Ruby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the summer of 1953 when Martin's parents are accused of being Communists it tears his family apart. Author's note, discussion questions.
Lois Ruby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In the summer of 1953 when Martin's parents are accused of being Communists it tears his family apart. Author's note, discussion questions.
Reluctant Storyteller
Art Coulson and Traci Sorrell
Illustrator: Carlin Bear Don't Walk and Roy Boney Jr.
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A fictional story about contemporary Cherokee life, a folktale, and an informational section about Cherokee people today are accompanied by bold illustrations and colorful photos.
Art Coulson and Traci Sorrell
Illustrator: Carlin Bear Don't Walk and Roy Boney Jr.
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A fictional story about contemporary Cherokee life, a folktale, and an informational section about Cherokee people today are accompanied by bold illustrations and colorful photos.
Rice
Hongcheng Yu
Illustrator: Hongcheng Yu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Beautifully detailed paintings depict a year of the rice growing process in mountainous Yunnan province. Back matter.
Hongcheng Yu
Illustrator: Hongcheng Yu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Beautifully detailed paintings depict a year of the rice growing process in mountainous Yunnan province. Back matter.
Rick
Alex Gino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Sixth-grader Rick struggles with his identity and with a best friend who is a homophobic bully. Can the new Rainbow Spectrum club help him find some answers?
Alex Gino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Sixth-grader Rick struggles with his identity and with a best friend who is a homophobic bully. Can the new Rainbow Spectrum club help him find some answers?
Rise Up! The Art of Protest in collaboration with Amnesty International
Jo Rippon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The power and historical significance of posters about social justice and environmental issues promoted activism. Posters reproduced.
Jo Rippon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The power and historical significance of posters about social justice and environmental issues promoted activism. Posters reproduced.
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Doreen Rappaport
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Striking, realistic illustrations depict the life of the remarkable woman who never stopped fighting for gender equality and justice. Back matter, bibliography.
Doreen Rappaport
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Striking, realistic illustrations depict the life of the remarkable woman who never stopped fighting for gender equality and justice. Back matter, bibliography.
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe
Carlos Hernandez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In zany language, Sal tells a weird story about his Miami theater arts middle school, multiverse adventures, and his friends, real and Artificial Intelligence devices.
Carlos Hernandez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In zany language, Sal tells a weird story about his Miami theater arts middle school, multiverse adventures, and his friends, real and Artificial Intelligence devices.
Sara and the Search for Normal
Wesley King
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Sara endures panic attacks and selective mutism. Can she save her only friend from her father's abuse? Should she hope to be "normal"?
Wesley King
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Sara endures panic attacks and selective mutism. Can she save her only friend from her father's abuse? Should she hope to be "normal"?
Secret Time Machine and the Gherkin Switcheroo, The
Simone Lia
Illustrator: Simone Lia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Best friends don't always want to do the same things, but some quick thinking might just save the day. Playful line drawings animate the quirky adventure.
Simone Lia
Illustrator: Simone Lia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Best friends don't always want to do the same things, but some quick thinking might just save the day. Playful line drawings animate the quirky adventure.
Seven Clues to Home
Gae Polisner & Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A year after the death of her best friend, Joy has the courage to follow the clues in the scavenger hunt he left behind. Poignant yet heartwarming.
Gae Polisner & Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A year after the death of her best friend, Joy has the courage to follow the clues in the scavenger hunt he left behind. Poignant yet heartwarming.
Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano/ Peruvian Archaeologist
Monica Brown
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An indigenous boy surmounts many obstacles to study the lost knowledge and history of his Incan ancestors. Detailed gouache illustrations and endnotes.
Monica Brown
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An indigenous boy surmounts many obstacles to study the lost knowledge and history of his Incan ancestors. Detailed gouache illustrations and endnotes.
Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer
Gillian Goerz
Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Jamila, a brown-skinned Muslim girl, becomes involved in solving a mystery with white kid detective Shirley. Full-color animated graphic format illustrations.
Gillian Goerz
Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Jamila, a brown-skinned Muslim girl, becomes involved in solving a mystery with white kid detective Shirley. Full-color animated graphic format illustrations.
Silver Arrow, The
Lev Grossman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
It's Kate's 11th birthday and she is bored with her life. Everything changes when her mysterious uncle shows up with a real train.
Lev Grossman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
It's Kate's 11th birthday and she is bored with her life. Everything changes when her mysterious uncle shows up with a real train.
Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger series)
Amy Timberlake
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Badger accepts Skunk as his roommate in his Aunt Lula's brownstone. Then Skunk's 100 chicken guests arrive. Classic color and black-and-white illustrations.
Amy Timberlake
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Badger accepts Skunk as his roommate in his Aunt Lula's brownstone. Then Skunk's 100 chicken guests arrive. Classic color and black-and-white illustrations.
Smartest Kid in the Universe, The
Chris Grabenstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Three seventh graders encounter a bizarre science experiment and look for buried treasure all while trying to save their middle school from demolition.
Chris Grabenstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Three seventh graders encounter a bizarre science experiment and look for buried treasure all while trying to save their middle school from demolition.
Some Days
Maria Wernicke
Illustrator: Maria Wernicke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Spare, vibrant, and evocative illustrations help capture a young girl's ability to deal with fear and loss.
Maria Wernicke
Illustrator: Maria Wernicke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Spare, vibrant, and evocative illustrations help capture a young girl's ability to deal with fear and loss.
Something To Say
Lisa Moore Ramée
Illustrator: Bre Indigo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Jenae's fear of public speaking challenges her when she becomes her best friend's debate partner. Grayscale illustrations.
Lisa Moore Ramée
Illustrator: Bre Indigo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Jenae's fear of public speaking challenges her when she becomes her best friend's debate partner. Grayscale illustrations.
Space Between Lost and Found, The
Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When seventh-grader Cassie's mom develops early-onset Alzheimer's, Cassie wants to give her mom a memorable experience - swimming with dolphins.
Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When seventh-grader Cassie's mom develops early-onset Alzheimer's, Cassie wants to give her mom a memorable experience - swimming with dolphins.
Sporting Chance, A: How Ludwig Gutmann Created the Paralympic Games
Lori Alexander
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The neurologist whose methods promised recovery for people with spinal cord injuries also enhanced their lives through sports. Cartoon illustrations and archival photographs. Timeline, athletes' profiles.
Lori Alexander
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The neurologist whose methods promised recovery for people with spinal cord injuries also enhanced their lives through sports. Cartoon illustrations and archival photographs. Timeline, athletes' profiles.
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!
Jessica Kim
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
One day after summer cram school class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp of her dreams and is mistaken for an absent student.
Jessica Kim
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
One day after summer cram school class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp of her dreams and is mistaken for an absent student.
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!
by Jessica Kim
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
One day after summer cram school class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp of her dreams and is mistaken for an absent student.
by Jessica Kim
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
One day after summer cram school class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp of her dreams and is mistaken for an absent student.