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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One-Third Nerd
by Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrator: Églantine Ceulemans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Liam's younger siblings are challenging in different ways, but it's their landlord and their incontinent dog who are the biggest sources of anxiety. Black-and-white illustrations express emotions.
by Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrator: Églantine Ceulemans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Liam's younger siblings are challenging in different ways, but it's their landlord and their incontinent dog who are the biggest sources of anxiety. Black-and-white illustrations express emotions.
Other Words for Home
by Jasmine Warga
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After moving from Syria to America, Jude finds everything too fast and too loud. Will she ever be able to be herself and feel at home again?
by Jasmine Warga
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After moving from Syria to America, Jude finds everything too fast and too loud. Will she ever be able to be herself and feel at home again?
Our Castle by the Sea
by Lucy Strange
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Living in a lighthouse facing the English Channel during WWII, Pet, 11, begins to suspect someone in her family is committing treason. Could it be her German mother?
by Lucy Strange
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Living in a lighthouse facing the English Channel during WWII, Pet, 11, begins to suspect someone in her family is committing treason. Could it be her German mother?
Owl's Outstanding Donuts
by Robin Yardi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When an owl warns 10-year-old Mattie that someone is polluting the water near her aunt's donut shop, she tries to figure out how to catch the perpetrators while overcoming fears she's had since her mother's death.
by Robin Yardi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When an owl warns 10-year-old Mattie that someone is polluting the water near her aunt's donut shop, she tries to figure out how to catch the perpetrators while overcoming fears she's had since her mother's death.
Penguin Days
by Sara Leach
Illustrator: Rebecca Bender
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Lauren and her family drive to North Dakota to be in a family wedding, she must cope with special challenges due to her Autism Spectrum Disorder. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Sara Leach
Illustrator: Rebecca Bender
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When Lauren and her family drive to North Dakota to be in a family wedding, she must cope with special challenges due to her Autism Spectrum Disorder. Black-and-white illustrations.
Pie in the Sky
by Remy Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Living in Australia is lonely for Jingwen, 12, because he doesn't know English and misses his deceased father. Can baking his father's cakes help? Simple spot graphics.
by Remy Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Living in Australia is lonely for Jingwen, 12, because he doesn't know English and misses his deceased father. Can baking his father's cakes help? Simple spot graphics.
Planet Earth Is Blue
by Nicole Panteleakos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC - Nova narrates what it's like to be severely autistic. She loves astronomy. Big sister Bridget promised they'd be together for the Challenger launch. Will they?
by Nicole Panteleakos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC - Nova narrates what it's like to be severely autistic. She loves astronomy. Big sister Bridget promised they'd be together for the Challenger launch. Will they?
Playing with Collage
written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Baker, a wonderful Australian artist, provides intriguing ideas for creating collages with natural materials. Beautiful color photos of materials and collages..
written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Baker, a wonderful Australian artist, provides intriguing ideas for creating collages with natural materials. Beautiful color photos of materials and collages..
Queen of the Sea
written and illustrated by Dylan Meconis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Raised on an island convent, Margaret longs to know her true identify, but when Queen Eleanor, an exiled monarch, arrives on the island, Margaret has difficult choices to make. Muted graphic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Dylan Meconis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Raised on an island convent, Margaret longs to know her true identify, but when Queen Eleanor, an exiled monarch, arrives on the island, Margaret has difficult choices to make. Muted graphic illustrations.
Remarkables
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Marin spots the mysterious neighbors the first day after moving to a new town. Is she the only one who sees them before they disappear?
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Marin spots the mysterious neighbors the first day after moving to a new town. Is she the only one who sees them before they disappear?
Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
by Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This powerful biography in free verse illustrated with oil paintings shares the trauma of Angelou's childhood and how she transformed trauma into political action and poetry.
by Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This powerful biography in free verse illustrated with oil paintings shares the trauma of Angelou's childhood and how she transformed trauma into political action and poetry.
Rising Water
by Marc Aronson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A Thai boys' soccer team's field trip quickly became life-threatening when rains flooded their only exit. This is the story of their astonishing rescue. Photographs, black-and-white illustrations, diagrams, and maps.
by Marc Aronson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A Thai boys' soccer team's field trip quickly became life-threatening when rains flooded their only exit. This is the story of their astonishing rescue. Photographs, black-and-white illustrations, diagrams, and maps.
Roll with It
by Jamie Sumner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Disabled by Cerebral Palsy since birth, 12-year-old wheelchair reliant Ellie struggles with the challenges of her surroundings while developing her gifts.
by Jamie Sumner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Disabled by Cerebral Palsy since birth, 12-year-old wheelchair reliant Ellie struggles with the challenges of her surroundings while developing her gifts.
Ruby in the Sky
by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When 12-year-old Ruby Moon arrives in Vermont, she and her mother hope to hide their questionable past but a reclusive animal-loving neighbor, a Syrian classmate, school bullies, and a sympathetic teacher stir things up.
by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When 12-year-old Ruby Moon arrives in Vermont, she and her mother hope to hide their questionable past but a reclusive animal-loving neighbor, a Syrian classmate, school bullies, and a sympathetic teacher stir things up.
Saving Hanno
by Miriam Halahmy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
At the start of World War II, Rudi, a Jewish German child sent to England, works to save his beloved dachshund from being euthanized.
by Miriam Halahmy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
At the start of World War II, Rudi, a Jewish German child sent to England, works to save his beloved dachshund from being euthanized.
Saving the Tasmanian Devil
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Follow an exciting journey with geneticists, ecologists, and genomic experts as the grapple with a disease of a dying species. Captivating photographs. Update, glossary, sources.
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Follow an exciting journey with geneticists, ecologists, and genomic experts as the grapple with a disease of a dying species. Captivating photographs. Update, glossary, sources.
Sea Sirens
by Amu Chu
Illustrator: Janet K. Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After a surfing accident, Trot and her cat discover an underwater kingdom where sirens battle serpents. Can they rescue Grandpa and return home? Fanciful color graphic panels.
by Amu Chu
Illustrator: Janet K. Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After a surfing accident, Trot and her cat discover an underwater kingdom where sirens battle serpents. Can they rescue Grandpa and return home? Fanciful color graphic panels.
Sharing Our Truths: Tapwe
by Henry Beaver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A family's visit with their grandparents in the Northwest Territories of Canada to learn about their Cree culture is presented. Color photographs and back matter.
by Henry Beaver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
A family's visit with their grandparents in the Northwest Territories of Canada to learn about their Cree culture is presented. Color photographs and back matter.
Shouting at the Rain
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After being rejected by her summer pal, Delsie finds someone new. As they traipse around the Cape, they uncover neighborhood secrets, including the disappearance of Delsie's mother.
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After being rejected by her summer pal, Delsie finds someone new. As they traipse around the Cape, they uncover neighborhood secrets, including the disappearance of Delsie's mother.
Silver Meadows Summer
by Emma Otheguy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Changing family circumstances force 11-year-old artist Carolina to move from Puerto Rico to upstate New York. Friendship and a backwoods discovery provide hope.
by Emma Otheguy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Changing family circumstances force 11-year-old artist Carolina to move from Puerto Rico to upstate New York. Friendship and a backwoods discovery provide hope.
Some Places More Than Others
by Renée Watson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
All Amara wants for her twelfth birthday is to accompany her father to New York to get to know her family better.
by Renée Watson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
All Amara wants for her twelfth birthday is to accompany her father to New York to get to know her family better.
Spy Runner
by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Jake, 12, wonders if his mother's new boarder is a Russian spy going after secret plans from the nearby Air Force base. Black-and-white photographic-style illustrations.
by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Jake, 12, wonders if his mother's new boarder is a Russian spy going after secret plans from the nearby Air Force base. Black-and-white photographic-style illustrations.
Stargazing
written and illustrated by Jen Wang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Christine and Moon are best friends but couldn't be more different. Their friendship becomes strained when Moon reveals a deep secret. Pencil, ink, and digital colorful illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jen Wang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Christine and Moon are best friends but couldn't be more different. Their friendship becomes strained when Moon reveals a deep secret. Pencil, ink, and digital colorful illustrations.
Stone River Crossing
by Tim Tingle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Friendship and cooperation across the creek border between a Mississippi plantation and a Choctaw settlement is forbidden, but potentially life-saving. An exciting multi-generational story.
by Tim Tingle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Friendship and cooperation across the creek border between a Mississippi plantation and a Choctaw settlement is forbidden, but potentially life-saving. An exciting multi-generational story.
Stonewall
by Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Engaging illustrations accompany the compelling history of the iconic Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village and it's role in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. Extensive back matter with archival photographs.
by Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Engaging illustrations accompany the compelling history of the iconic Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village and it's role in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. Extensive back matter with archival photographs.