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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I Am Hermes!
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
F&Gs Meet the impish, ingenious Greek god who invented the first musical instrument and gave Aesop the gift of storytelling. Vivid cartoon panels.
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
F&Gs Meet the impish, ingenious Greek god who invented the first musical instrument and gave Aesop the gift of storytelling. Vivid cartoon panels.
I Can Make this Promise
by Christine Day
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Edie discovers a box full of papers suggesting she has Native American relatives. Why did her parents keep this a secret?
by Christine Day
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Edie discovers a box full of papers suggesting she has Native American relatives. Why did her parents keep this a secret?
I, Cosmo
by Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Cosmo, an aging Golden Retriever, tells his own story as he revels in family life, comforts those he loves, and prepares for a dance competition.
by Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Cosmo, an aging Golden Retriever, tells his own story as he revels in family life, comforts those he loves, and prepares for a dance competition.
I Remember
compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Fifteen poets and 14 illustrators of diverse backgrounds reflect on their childhood memories and traditions. Rich variety of technique and media. Short biographies of each poet and illustrator.
compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Fifteen poets and 14 illustrators of diverse backgrounds reflect on their childhood memories and traditions. Rich variety of technique and media. Short biographies of each poet and illustrator.
Island Book
written and illustrated by Evan Dahm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sola, an outcast, ventures out to sea to find the “monster” in an allegory about finding truth. Exciting graphic panels and questions to ponder.
written and illustrated by Evan Dahm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sola, an outcast, ventures out to sea to find the “monster” in an allegory about finding truth. Exciting graphic panels and questions to ponder.
Lalani of the Distant Sea
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Feeling responsible for her island's catastrophes, Lalani, 12, sets off on an epic quest. Interspersed with her adventures are illustrated vignettes of fantastical creatures and plants she encounters.
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Feeling responsible for her island's catastrophes, Lalani, 12, sets off on an epic quest. Interspersed with her adventures are illustrated vignettes of fantastical creatures and plants she encounters.
Let ‘Er Buck!
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When judges deprive African American cowboy George Fletcher of a rodeo victory, the spectators support him. Rhythmic prose, dynamic oil illustrations, and extensive back matter.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When judges deprive African American cowboy George Fletcher of a rodeo victory, the spectators support him. Rhythmic prose, dynamic oil illustrations, and extensive back matter.
Lexie's Little Lie
by Emma Shevah
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Lexie's large Greek family does everything together until a lie about a family heirloom threatens to tear everyone apart. Black and white illustrations, recipes.
by Emma Shevah
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Lexie's large Greek family does everything together until a lie about a family heirloom threatens to tear everyone apart. Black and white illustrations, recipes.
Liberty Arrives!
written and illustrated by Robert Byrd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
It took 21 years, a sculptor, an engineer, and architect, journalists, schoolchildren, and many others to create Lady Liberty, transport her to America, and raise her up in New York Harbor. Detailed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Robert Byrd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
It took 21 years, a sculptor, an engineer, and architect, journalists, schoolchildren, and many others to create Lady Liberty, transport her to America, and raise her up in New York Harbor. Detailed illustrations.
Lizzy Legend
by Matthew Ross Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Lizzy, 13, loves basketball. Among the phone calls from her dad's bill collectors comes one that propels her to the pros. Fantasy, humor, and realism combine.
by Matthew Ross Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Lizzy, 13, loves basketball. Among the phone calls from her dad's bill collectors comes one that propels her to the pros. Fantasy, humor, and realism combine.
Look Again
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Animal survival through camouflage is eloquently explained and shown via brilliant torn paper collage and digitally created illustrations. Extensive back matter.
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Animal survival through camouflage is eloquently explained and shown via brilliant torn paper collage and digitally created illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Look Both Ways
by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Ten interrelated by stand-alone humorous and touching stories present middle school children walking home at the end of a school day.
by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Ten interrelated by stand-alone humorous and touching stories present middle school children walking home at the end of a school day.
Mario and the Hole in the Sky
by Elizabeth Rusch
Illustrator: Teresa Martínez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A Mexican-born scientist helps solve the ozone crisis in the 1980s and gives hope in the fight against global warming. Mixed-media illustrations. Source notes, bibliography, timeline, and more. Also available in Spanish.
by Elizabeth Rusch
Illustrator: Teresa Martínez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A Mexican-born scientist helps solve the ozone crisis in the 1980s and gives hope in the fight against global warming. Mixed-media illustrations. Source notes, bibliography, timeline, and more. Also available in Spanish.
Migration
by Mike Unwin
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
The seasonal epic journey of twenty one species from dragonflies to whales to survive their unaccommodating environments is vivified by exquisite multimedia illustrations. Map, endpapers.
by Mike Unwin
Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
The seasonal epic journey of twenty one species from dragonflies to whales to survive their unaccommodating environments is vivified by exquisite multimedia illustrations. Map, endpapers.
Mission One: The Plant Planet (AstroNuts series)
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Steven Weinberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Planet Earth is overheating, and humans need to find a new home. It's up to four superpowered animal astronauts to investigate. Vibrant collage illustrations, using museum engravings.
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Steven Weinberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Planet Earth is overheating, and humans need to find a new home. It's up to four superpowered animal astronauts to investigate. Vibrant collage illustrations, using museum engravings.
Monument Maker
by Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Shawn Fields
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
With the help of Louisa May Alcott's sister, French's journey to creating the statue of Lincoln is told with pen-and-ink crosshatched drawings. Sources and timeline.
by Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrator: Shawn Fields
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
With the help of Louisa May Alcott's sister, French's journey to creating the statue of Lincoln is told with pen-and-ink crosshatched drawings. Sources and timeline.
More to the Story
by Hena Khan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Jameela, 15, Muslim of Pakistan origins, develops her journalistic talents amid family problems and illness.
by Hena Khan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Jameela, 15, Muslim of Pakistan origins, develops her journalistic talents amid family problems and illness.
Mr. Penguin: The Lost Treasure (Mr. Penguin series)
written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Can Mr. Penguin and his assistant, a martial arts expert spider, discover the truth about a rumored museum treasure? Playful light hearted illustrations
written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Can Mr. Penguin and his assistant, a martial arts expert spider, discover the truth about a rumored museum treasure? Playful light hearted illustrations
Mulan
by Faye-Lynn Wu
Illustrator: Joy Ang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When her sick father is recruited for the army, Mulan disguises herself and serves honorably, even becoming a leader.
by Faye-Lynn Wu
Illustrator: Joy Ang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When her sick father is recruited for the army, Mulan disguises herself and serves honorably, even becoming a leader.
Nature's Ninja
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Fascinating explanations compare ancient Japanese Ninja skills with animals that exhibit similar behavior. Outstanding photographs. Back matter.
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Fascinating explanations compare ancient Japanese Ninja skills with animals that exhibit similar behavior. Outstanding photographs. Back matter.
Never Caught, The Story of Ona Judge
adapted by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In 1796, George and Martha Washington's enslaved Ona Judd, 22, escaped the President's Philadelphia mansion for freedom in New Hampshire.
adapted by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In 1796, George and Martha Washington's enslaved Ona Judd, 22, escaped the President's Philadelphia mansion for freedom in New Hampshire.
Nina Soni
by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Jenn Kocsmiersky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Indian American Nina's relationship with her former best friend improves when they perform science magic at her younger sister's birthday party. Digital illustrations.
by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Jenn Kocsmiersky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Indian American Nina's relationship with her former best friend improves when they perform science magic at her younger sister's birthday party. Digital illustrations.
Nose Knows
by Emmanuelle Figueras
Illustrator: Claire De Gastold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Learn how the nose and scent play a crucial role in animals' survival and behavior. Oversized realistic illustrations and fun fact flaps. Index.
by Emmanuelle Figueras
Illustrator: Claire De Gastold
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Learn how the nose and scent play a crucial role in animals' survival and behavior. Oversized realistic illustrations and fun fact flaps. Index.
Oh, Rats!
by Tor Seidler
Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Rescued by two wharf rats, Phoenix, a tree squirrel, becomes involved in saving their beloved pier from a New York developer. Classic black-and-white illustrations.
by Tor Seidler
Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Rescued by two wharf rats, Phoenix, a tree squirrel, becomes involved in saving their beloved pier from a New York developer. Classic black-and-white illustrations.
One Speck of Truth
by Caela Carter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
12-year-old Alma wants answers about her father's death, but her adults won't tell her the truth. Will her searches of graveyards with her patient best friend yield answers?
by Caela Carter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
12-year-old Alma wants answers about her father's death, but her adults won't tell her the truth. Will her searches of graveyards with her patient best friend yield answers?