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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Stay Curious: A Brief History of Stephen Hawking
Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A depiction of the creativity, curiosity, and playfulness of the world-renowned physicist. Multifaceted and powerful mixed-media art. Source notes and bibliography.
Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A depiction of the creativity, curiosity, and playfulness of the world-renowned physicist. Multifaceted and powerful mixed-media art. Source notes and bibliography.
Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls, The [The Story Of series)
Janet Halfmann
Illustrator: Duane Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Demonstrating intelligence, bravery and ingenuity, an enslaved man escaped the Confederacy, serving as a Union boat pilot. Black-and-white illustrations, glossary, timeline, and extensive sourcing.
Janet Halfmann
Illustrator: Duane Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Demonstrating intelligence, bravery and ingenuity, an enslaved man escaped the Confederacy, serving as a Union boat pilot. Black-and-white illustrations, glossary, timeline, and extensive sourcing.
Story of Olympic Diver, Sammy Lee, The (The Story Of series)
Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Dom Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Discrimination didn't deter a Korean American from a medical career, even while breaking Olympic diving records. Black-and-white illustrations, timeline, glossary, and extensive sourcing.
Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Dom Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Discrimination didn't deter a Korean American from a medical career, even while breaking Olympic diving records. Black-and-white illustrations, timeline, glossary, and extensive sourcing.
Summer We Found the Baby
Amy Hest
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When Julie and her younger sister find an abandoned baby, they want to keep it, but then the mother and a surprise visitor show up. Set during WWII.
Amy Hest
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When Julie and her younger sister find an abandoned baby, they want to keep it, but then the mother and a surprise visitor show up. Set during WWII.
Tales of the Feathered Serpent: Rise of the Halfling King
David Bowles
Illustrator: Charlene Bowles
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A magical boy from Mayan mythology faces impossible tasks and a ruthless king to save the people of Mexico. Graphic format.
David Bowles
Illustrator: Charlene Bowles
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A magical boy from Mayan mythology faces impossible tasks and a ruthless king to save the people of Mexico. Graphic format.
Talk, The: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth
Edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Well-known BIPOC authors and illustrators share personal anecdotes in the form of stories, letters, and comics addressing racism, culture, and advocacy.
Edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Well-known BIPOC authors and illustrators share personal anecdotes in the form of stories, letters, and comics addressing racism, culture, and advocacy.
Tempest, The
William Shakespeare, retold by Georghia Ellinas
Illustrator: Jane Ray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An accessible picture-book retelling of the Shakespeare play with some of the original lines. Enticing watercolors with lush foliage.
William Shakespeare, retold by Georghia Ellinas
Illustrator: Jane Ray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
An accessible picture-book retelling of the Shakespeare play with some of the original lines. Enticing watercolors with lush foliage.
That's What Friends Do
Cathleen Barnhart
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Seventh-grade best friends Samantha and David are the prides of their Little League-loving fathers. A new kid at school upends more than their friendship.
Cathleen Barnhart
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Seventh-grade best friends Samantha and David are the prides of their Little League-loving fathers. A new kid at school upends more than their friendship.
The Only Woman in the Photo
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Secretary of Labor under FDR, Perkins worked to pass federal social, health, and safety laws. Colorful digital illustrations.
by Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Secretary of Labor under FDR, Perkins worked to pass federal social, health, and safety laws. Colorful digital illustrations.
The Peacock Detectives
by Carly Nugent
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Australian Cassie has a talent for detecting and a great interest in storytelling and writing. She must cope with her father's depression and grandfather's final illness.
by Carly Nugent
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Australian Cassie has a talent for detecting and a great interest in storytelling and writing. She must cope with her father's depression and grandfather's final illness.
This Is Your Time
Ruby Bridges
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Civil Rights activist Ruby Bridges encourages young people to keep fighting for equality after the 2020 killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests.
Ruby Bridges
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Civil Rights activist Ruby Bridges encourages young people to keep fighting for equality after the 2020 killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests.
This Poem is a Nest
Latham, Irene
Illustrator: Johanna Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Using the words of a poem about a nest, the poet creates an inventive collection of verse. Writing instructions and index. Digital grayscale ink wash.
Latham, Irene
Illustrator: Johanna Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Using the words of a poem about a nest, the poet creates an inventive collection of verse. Writing instructions and index. Digital grayscale ink wash.
Three Keys
Kelly Yang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The resourceful sixth-grade daughter of newcomer hotel owners finds her voice and rallies her community to fight California's anti-immigrant 1990s proposition 187.
Kelly Yang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The resourceful sixth-grade daughter of newcomer hotel owners finds her voice and rallies her community to fight California's anti-immigrant 1990s proposition 187.
Time of Green Magic, The
Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When 12-year-old loner Abi moves to an eerie new home with her step family, strange things happen.
Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When 12-year-old loner Abi moves to an eerie new home with her step family, strange things happen.
Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez, The
Adrianna Cuevas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When your father's in the military you have to move - a lot. Making new friends isn't worth the trouble, until a shape-shifting witch shows up.
Adrianna Cuevas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
When your father's in the military you have to move - a lot. Making new friends isn't worth the trouble, until a shape-shifting witch shows up.
Tracking Pythons
by Kate Messner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Photographs, maps, graphs, and QR codes follow scientists with the arduous task of locating and capturing the invasive Florida's Burmese Pythons disrupting the ecosystem. Extensive back matter includes information about “invaders,” bibliography, and glossary.
by Kate Messner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Photographs, maps, graphs, and QR codes follow scientists with the arduous task of locating and capturing the invasive Florida's Burmese Pythons disrupting the ecosystem. Extensive back matter includes information about “invaders,” bibliography, and glossary.
Tune it Out
Jamie Sumner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lou has sensory processing disorder and has lived a nomadic life. When placed in a home that offers food and shelter security, she tentatively tries to make a friend.
Jamie Sumner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lou has sensory processing disorder and has lived a nomadic life. When placed in a home that offers food and shelter security, she tentatively tries to make a friend.
Twins
Varian Johnson
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Twins Maureen and Francine do everything together. When they start middle school, their bonds are challenged. Expressive, vibrant illustrations.
Varian Johnson
Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Twins Maureen and Francine do everything together. When they start middle school, their bonds are challenged. Expressive, vibrant illustrations.
Wanderer, The
Peter Van den Ende
Illustrator: Peter Van den Ende
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Detailed pen-and-ink drawings, reminiscent of Escher, depict the surreal, epic ocean voyage of a paper boat. Wordless.
Peter Van den Ende
Illustrator: Peter Van den Ende
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Detailed pen-and-ink drawings, reminiscent of Escher, depict the surreal, epic ocean voyage of a paper boat. Wordless.
War is Over
David Almond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
During WWII, a British boy sees how the cruelty of war is affecting his townspeople. When will it end? Simple, evocative black-and-white illustrations.
David Almond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
During WWII, a British boy sees how the cruelty of war is affecting his townspeople. When will it end? Simple, evocative black-and-white illustrations.
We Could Be Heroes
Margaret Finnegan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Complications ensue when Hank, an autistic 4th grader, and new friend Maisie plot to rescue an epileptic dog they believe is being abused.
Margaret Finnegan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Complications ensue when Hank, an autistic 4th grader, and new friend Maisie plot to rescue an epileptic dog they believe is being abused.
We Dream of Space
Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
During the 1986 Challenger disaster, three siblings struggle to find their true selves. Thought-provoking and moving and providing hope.
Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
During the 1986 Challenger disaster, three siblings struggle to find their true selves. Thought-provoking and moving and providing hope.
We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazi on the Kindertransport
Deborah Hopkinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The rescue operation that saved 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazis between 1938 and 1939 recounted with oral histories, memoirs, interviews. Copious photographs, extensive back matter.
Deborah Hopkinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The rescue operation that saved 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazis between 1938 and 1939 recounted with oral histories, memoirs, interviews. Copious photographs, extensive back matter.
Whale of the Wild, A
Rosanne Parry
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Vega, an orca, leaves her family to bury her stillborn sister. Her little brother follows her and they get caught in a tsunami. Extensive back matter. Dramatic black -and-white illustrations.
Rosanne Parry
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Vega, an orca, leaves her family to bury her stillborn sister. Her little brother follows her and they get caught in a tsunami. Extensive back matter. Dramatic black -and-white illustrations.
What Lane?
Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Comfortable with diverse friends, Stephen, a biracial sixth-grader, wants to speak up when surrounded by racist behavior. Told in the language of NYC youth.
Torrey Maldonado
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Comfortable with diverse friends, Stephen, a biracial sixth-grader, wants to speak up when surrounded by racist behavior. Told in the language of NYC youth.