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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No Place for Monsters
Kory Merritt
Illustrator: Kory Merritt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Levi enlists fellow loner Kat to help him find his sister, who hasn't just disappeared. She's been erased! Spirited, witty black and white illustrations.
Kory Merritt
Illustrator: Kory Merritt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Levi enlists fellow loner Kat to help him find his sister, who hasn't just disappeared. She's been erased! Spirited, witty black and white illustrations.
Not Your All-American Girl
Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After losing the lead role to her best friend in the school play, Lauren begins to question her Jewish/Chinese identity and what makes an all-American.
Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After losing the lead role to her best friend in the school play, Lauren begins to question her Jewish/Chinese identity and what makes an all-American.
No Vacancy
Tziporah Cohen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Miriam's family relocates to upstate NY to manage a motel. A faked apparition of the Virgin Mary sparks overt anti-semitism, but the community rallies to support the business.
Tziporah Cohen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Miriam's family relocates to upstate NY to manage a motel. A faked apparition of the Virgin Mary sparks overt anti-semitism, but the community rallies to support the business.
Of Salt and Shore
Annet Schaap
Illustrator: Annet Schaap
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In an adventure filled with mermaids, pirates, and misfits, a lighthouse keeper's daughter faces terrors, and finds her true self. Atmospheric, full-spread black-and-white illustrations.
Annet Schaap
Illustrator: Annet Schaap
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In an adventure filled with mermaids, pirates, and misfits, a lighthouse keeper's daughter faces terrors, and finds her true self. Atmospheric, full-spread black-and-white illustrations.
Oil
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Simple, poetic text describes how humans' extraction and use of oil, particularly the Exxon Valdez disaster, have impacted flora and fauna. Textured illustrations. Author's note.
Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Simple, poetic text describes how humans' extraction and use of oil, particularly the Exxon Valdez disaster, have impacted flora and fauna. Textured illustrations. Author's note.
Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
Edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed
Illustrator: Sara Alfageeh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Fifteen Muslim children from Philadelphia to a Syrian refugee camp on a Greek island celebrate the annual Eid festival. Greyscale graphic chapter and spot illustrations.
Edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed
Illustrator: Sara Alfageeh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Fifteen Muslim children from Philadelphia to a Syrian refugee camp on a Greek island celebrate the annual Eid festival. Greyscale graphic chapter and spot illustrations.
One and Only Bob, The
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Scrappy Bob tells of grieving the loss of his family and of celebrating friends. Black-and-white illustrations. Includes a canine glossary and picture dictionary.
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Scrappy Bob tells of grieving the loss of his family and of celebrating friends. Black-and-white illustrations. Includes a canine glossary and picture dictionary.
One Time
Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
As 11-year-old Gina and her classmates struggle with the question, "Who are you?" their imaginative teacher's writing experiments causes them to begin to define their worlds and relationships.
Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
As 11-year-old Gina and her classmates struggle with the question, "Who are you?" their imaginative teacher's writing experiments causes them to begin to define their worlds and relationships.
Only Black Girls in Town, The
Brandy Colbert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Two middle school friends bond when they discover the secrets in journals left behind by a young woman passing for white in 1950s California.
Brandy Colbert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Two middle school friends bond when they discover the secrets in journals left behind by a young woman passing for white in 1950s California.
On the Horizon
Lois Lowry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lowry shares memories and gives a voice to lives lost in two horrific events of WWII - the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Black-and-white graphite illustrations.
Lois Lowry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Lowry shares memories and gives a voice to lives lost in two horrific events of WWII - the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Black-and-white graphite illustrations.
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson
Jennifer Berne
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Dickinson's own poetry beautifully enhances this short, accessible biography. Gouache and watercolor illustrations with fantasy elements. Ideas for reading, writing, and sharing poetry.
Jennifer Berne
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Dickinson's own poetry beautifully enhances this short, accessible biography. Gouache and watercolor illustrations with fantasy elements. Ideas for reading, writing, and sharing poetry.
Orphan Eleven
Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In 1939, four young people escape from an abusive orphanage and find hope when they join the intriguing world of a traveling circus.
Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
In 1939, four young people escape from an abusive orphanage and find hope when they join the intriguing world of a traveling circus.
Out of Hiding - A Holocaust Survivor's Journey to America
Ruth Gruener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After Ruth and her family survive Nazi Germany's holocaust, they struggle to build a new life as they immigrate to Brooklyn.
Ruth Gruener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After Ruth and her family survive Nazi Germany's holocaust, they struggle to build a new life as they immigrate to Brooklyn.
Overground Railroad
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Eloquent text and evocative watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the hopes and tribulations of a Black family migrating north in 1930s America.
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Eloquent text and evocative watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the hopes and tribulations of a Black family migrating north in 1930s America.
Peter's War: A Boy's True Story of Survival in World War II Europe
Deborah Durland DeSaix and Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrator: Deborah Durland DeSaix and archival photographs from various sources
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After Nazis arrest his parents in France, Peter must outwit the Gestapo until he escapes to Switzerland. Muted watercolor illustrations and black-and-white photographs. Back matter.
Deborah Durland DeSaix and Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrator: Deborah Durland DeSaix and archival photographs from various sources
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
After Nazis arrest his parents in France, Peter must outwit the Gestapo until he escapes to Switzerland. Muted watercolor illustrations and black-and-white photographs. Back matter.
Pine Island Home
Polly Horvath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Four sisters in a missionary family go to live on a British Columbian island with an aunt after suddenly losing their parents. Then, their aunt dies.
Polly Horvath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Four sisters in a missionary family go to live on a British Columbian island with an aunt after suddenly losing their parents. Then, their aunt dies.
Pixie Pushes On
by Tamara Bundy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Pixie's world is upended when her sister is stricken with polio, but she learns much from family and friends.
by Tamara Bundy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Pixie's world is upended when her sister is stricken with polio, but she learns much from family and friends.
Pixie Pushes On
Tamara Bundy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Pixie's world is upended when her sister is stricken with polio, but she is supported by family and friends.
Tamara Bundy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Pixie's world is upended when her sister is stricken with polio, but she is supported by family and friends.
Place Inside of Me, A: A Poem to Heal the Heart
Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A Black child's joyful summer is shattered by a police shooting. Support from community and friends inspire him to take pride in his heritage. Lively, thought-provoking illustrations.
Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
A Black child's joyful summer is shattered by a police shooting. Support from community and friends inspire him to take pride in his heritage. Lively, thought-provoking illustrations.
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
by Zanib Mian
Illustrator: Hasaya Hafaridik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Omar adjusts to a family move and a new school in London where he is bullied for being Muslim. Black-and-white sketches and hand printing.
by Zanib Mian
Illustrator: Hasaya Hafaridik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Omar adjusts to a family move and a new school in London where he is bullied for being Muslim. Black-and-white sketches and hand printing.
Prairie Lotus
Linda Sue Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Hanna, 14, who is half-Chinese, and her white father hope to be accepted into an 1880s Dakota Territory frontier town. Author's note.
Linda Sue Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
Hanna, 14, who is half-Chinese, and her white father hope to be accepted into an 1880s Dakota Territory frontier town. Author's note.
Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Way Plants Survive
Etta Kaner
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The ingenious adaptations plants have developed to survive. Clear prose accompanied by vivid collages. Index, glossary, sources.
Etta Kaner
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2020
The ingenious adaptations plants have developed to survive. Clear prose accompanied by vivid collages. Index, glossary, sources.
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.