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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Dear America
by Jose Antonio Vargas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sent to the United States from the Philippines when he was 12, the author recounts his success in school, citizenship problems, and life as a journalist.
by Jose Antonio Vargas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sent to the United States from the Philippines when he was 12, the author recounts his success in school, citizenship problems, and life as a journalist.
Dear Sweet Pea
by Julie Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
As 7th grade ends, Sweet Pea struggles with her parents' unconventional divorce, confronts changes in friendships, and discovers she has a knack for giving advice.
by Julie Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
As 7th grade ends, Sweet Pea struggles with her parents' unconventional divorce, confronts changes in friendships, and discovers she has a knack for giving advice.
Degas, Painter of Ballerinas
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Working behind the scenes at the opera, Degas observed young dancers and created a series of impressionist paintings. Photographs with descriptive captions. Back matter.
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Working behind the scenes at the opera, Degas observed young dancers and created a series of impressionist paintings. Photographs with descriptive captions. Back matter.
Dream Within a Dream
by Patricia MacLachlan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Louisiana and her younger brother Jake arrive to spend the summer with grandparents on Deer Island, they settle into loving small-town life and are reluctant to leave.
by Patricia MacLachlan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Louisiana and her younger brother Jake arrive to spend the summer with grandparents on Deer Island, they settle into loving small-town life and are reluctant to leave.
Each Tiny Spark
by Pablo Cartaya
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC -Neurodiverse Emilia Torres yearns for her deployed father, but his return does not bring the comfort she expected.
by Pablo Cartaya
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC -Neurodiverse Emilia Torres yearns for her deployed father, but his return does not bring the comfort she expected.
Eight Times Up
by John Corr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Riley's dad registers him for aikido classes to help him control his anxiety. After his multiethnic classmates learn the aikido skills, they become close friends.
by John Corr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Riley's dad registers him for aikido classes to help him control his anxiety. After his multiethnic classmates learn the aikido skills, they become close friends.
Elvis is King!
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Red Nose Studio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In this lyrical and riveting retelling, Elvis's life is captured brilliantly and evocatively via photos of hand-crafted diorama-like sets. Detailed author's note.
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Red Nose Studio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In this lyrical and riveting retelling, Elvis's life is captured brilliantly and evocatively via photos of hand-crafted diorama-like sets. Detailed author's note.
Emmy in the Key of Code
by Aimee Lucido
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Unlike her parents, Emmy, 12, has no musical talent. Then she takes a coding class and finds a different way to make music. Glossary included.
by Aimee Lucido
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Unlike her parents, Emmy, 12, has no musical talent. Then she takes a coding class and finds a different way to make music. Glossary included.
Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture
by Cynthia O'Brien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Full-color photographs illustrate this history and overview of North America's native peoples.
by Cynthia O'Brien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Full-color photographs illustrate this history and overview of North America's native peoples.
Even More Lesser Spotted Animals
written and illustrated by Martin Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Humorous text and illustrations present lesser known animals, such as the dingiso and tamandua. Maps and glossary are included.
written and illustrated by Martin Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Humorous text and illustrations present lesser known animals, such as the dingiso and tamandua. Maps and glossary are included.
Eventown
by Corey Ann Haydu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Elodee and her family move to a perfect, nice town, but she misses irregularity, wildness, and difference, and tries to find out why they are missing.
by Corey Ann Haydu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Elodee and her family move to a perfect, nice town, but she misses irregularity, wildness, and difference, and tries to find out why they are missing.
Far Away
by Lisa Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
CJ, 12, tours with her psychic-medium Aunt Nic as she is paid to connect unhappy people of this world with Far Away. But what about CJ's own mother - presumed dead?
by Lisa Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
CJ, 12, tours with her psychic-medium Aunt Nic as she is paid to connect unhappy people of this world with Far Away. But what about CJ's own mother - presumed dead?
Freya & Zoose
by Emily Butler
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A penguin and a mouse overcome negative first impressions to forge a friendship while facing travails in the frozen far north. Black-and-white illustrations. Historical note.
by Emily Butler
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A penguin and a mouse overcome negative first impressions to forge a friendship while facing travails in the frozen far north. Black-and-white illustrations. Historical note.
Friendroid
by M.M. Vaughan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
An android and a human develop a friendship and learn to accept their differences and those in others.
by M.M. Vaughan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
An android and a human develop a friendship and learn to accept their differences and those in others.
Gone is Gone
written and photographed by Isabelle Groc
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This thoroughly documented book describes the catastrophes that species face, including climate change and human destruction, and what readers can do to help species survive. Photos, glossary, resources.
written and photographed by Isabelle Groc
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This thoroughly documented book describes the catastrophes that species face, including climate change and human destruction, and what readers can do to help species survive. Photos, glossary, resources.
Goodbye, Mr. Spalding
by Jennifer Robin Barr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In 1935, when the owners of Philadelphia's Shibe Park baseball stadium plan a high wall to obscure the neighbors' free views, two 12-year-old besties scheme to thwart the plan.
by Jennifer Robin Barr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In 1935, when the owners of Philadelphia's Shibe Park baseball stadium plan a high wall to obscure the neighbors' free views, two 12-year-old besties scheme to thwart the plan.
Good Dog, McTavish
by Meg Rosoff
Illustrator: Grace Easton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Ma Peachy “resigns” from mothering, Pa Peachy and the teenage children are clueless. Luckily, eight-year-old Betty and her wise mutt are not! Grayscale illustrations.
by Meg Rosoff
Illustrator: Grace Easton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Ma Peachy “resigns” from mothering, Pa Peachy and the teenage children are clueless. Luckily, eight-year-old Betty and her wise mutt are not! Grayscale illustrations.
Great Bear Rainforest
by Ian McAllister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Wonderful photographs document the work of a dedicated film crew and compel us to save this precious, vast temperate rainforest ecosystem in Canada.
by Ian McAllister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Wonderful photographs document the work of a dedicated film crew and compel us to save this precious, vast temperate rainforest ecosystem in Canada.
Growing Up Gorilla
by Clare Hodgson Meeker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo staff assist a mother gorilla in bonding with her baby. Appealing photographs and extensive back matter.
by Clare Hodgson Meeker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo staff assist a mother gorilla in bonding with her baby. Appealing photographs and extensive back matter.
Guts
written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Raina's fear of vomiting begins to affect her social and academic life, she sees a therapist to learn to cope with her overwhelming anxieties. Colorful graphic panels.
written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Raina's fear of vomiting begins to affect her social and academic life, she sees a therapist to learn to cope with her overwhelming anxieties. Colorful graphic panels.
Hawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel, and Other Poems of Birds in Flight
by Susan Vande Griek
Illustrator: Mark Hoffman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Poetic descriptions of birds in flight - gliding, diving, and hovering - are paired with gouache and digital media illustrations. Backmatter notes on each bird and glossary.
by Susan Vande Griek
Illustrator: Mark Hoffman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Poetic descriptions of birds in flight - gliding, diving, and hovering - are paired with gouache and digital media illustrations. Backmatter notes on each bird and glossary.
Hector
written and illustrated by Adrienne Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
How a peaceful protest against inequality in the schools contributed to the end of South Africa's apartheid. Pastel and collage illustrations. Biographical back matter.
written and illustrated by Adrienne Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
How a peaceful protest against inequality in the schools contributed to the end of South Africa's apartheid. Pastel and collage illustrations. Biographical back matter.
Her Own Two Feet
by Meredith Davis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
9-year-old Rebeka makes the courageous journey from Rwanda to the U.S. for life-changing surgery.
by Meredith Davis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
9-year-old Rebeka makes the courageous journey from Rwanda to the U.S. for life-changing surgery.
Hi, I'm Norman
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Norman Rockwell describes becoming an iconic artist. Realistic watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations include references to many of Rockwell's works. Extensive back matter.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Norman Rockwell describes becoming an iconic artist. Realistic watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations include references to many of Rockwell's works. Extensive back matter.
Honeybees and Frenemies
by Kristi Wientge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Flor, 12, agrees to participate in the honey festival, she is paired with her nemesis. She helps an elderly beekeeper while worrying about her parents' marriage.
by Kristi Wientge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Flor, 12, agrees to participate in the honey festival, she is paired with her nemesis. She helps an elderly beekeeper while worrying about her parents' marriage.