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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Straw into Gold
by Hilary McKay
Illustrator: Sarah Gibb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Traditional European stories cleverly reimagined. Black-and-white silhouette illustrations.
by Hilary McKay
Illustrator: Sarah Gibb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Traditional European stories cleverly reimagined. Black-and-white silhouette illustrations.
Strike Zone
by Mike Lupica
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Nick Garciá, 12, star pitcher for his summer league team, wants to focus on his fastball but is deeply anxious that his undocumented Dominican-born parents may be deported.
by Mike Lupica
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Nick Garciá, 12, star pitcher for his summer league team, wants to focus on his fastball but is deeply anxious that his undocumented Dominican-born parents may be deported.
Survivors of the Holocaust
edited by Kath Shackleton
Illustrator: Zane Whittingham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Adapted from a BBC animate series, these are the true stories of six Jewish youngsters who survived the Nazi occupation of Europe. Intense, stark illustrations. Extensive back matter.
edited by Kath Shackleton
Illustrator: Zane Whittingham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Adapted from a BBC animate series, these are the true stories of six Jewish youngsters who survived the Nazi occupation of Europe. Intense, stark illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Susan B. Anthony (The Making of America series)
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This warmly detailed biography uses primary sources in this presentation of the early advocate for women's rights. Back matter includes sources, timeline, selected writings, bibliography, and index.
by Teri Kanefield
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
This warmly detailed biography uses primary sources in this presentation of the early advocate for women's rights. Back matter includes sources, timeline, selected writings, bibliography, and index.
Sweeping Up the Heart
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Artistic Amelia's boring spring vacation takes a turn when she meets Casey, also 12, and uncovers truths about her taciturn father.
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Artistic Amelia's boring spring vacation takes a turn when she meets Casey, also 12, and uncovers truths about her taciturn father.
The 1000 Year Old Boy
by Ross Welford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When you are 1000 years old but look only 11, you need friends like never before. Will Alfie ever be able to start aging normally?
by Ross Welford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
When you are 1000 years old but look only 11, you need friends like never before. Will Alfie ever be able to start aging normally?
The Best at It
by Maulik Pancholy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Rahul, 12, an Indian American boy growing up in a small town in Indiana, struggles to come to terms with his identity, including that he may be gay.
by Maulik Pancholy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Rahul, 12, an Indian American boy growing up in a small town in Indiana, struggles to come to terms with his identity, including that he may be gay.
The Book Rescuer
by Sue Macy
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Slowly building an entire library, Aaron Lansky saved Yiddish literature and thus a history and culture. Acrylic and gouache artwork.
by Sue Macy
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Slowly building an entire library, Aaron Lansky saved Yiddish literature and thus a history and culture. Acrylic and gouache artwork.
The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q. Raúf
Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Four British 9-year-olds plot to reunite their new classmate, a Syrian refugee, with his parents. Pencil sketches. Copious back matter on refugees and relief organizations.
by Onjali Q. Raúf
Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Four British 9-year-olds plot to reunite their new classmate, a Syrian refugee, with his parents. Pencil sketches. Copious back matter on refugees and relief organizations.
The Boy Who Touched the Stars/El niño que alcanzó las estrellas
by José M. Hernández
Illustrator: Steven James Petruccio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
F&G - The son of migrant Mexican farm workers realizes his lifelong goal to become a U.S. astronaut. He never gave up. Realistic illustrations.
by José M. Hernández
Illustrator: Steven James Petruccio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
F&G - The son of migrant Mexican farm workers realizes his lifelong goal to become a U.S. astronaut. He never gave up. Realistic illustrations.
The Brave Cyclist
by Amalia Hoffman
Illustrator: Chiara Fedele
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC During World War II, cycling champion Gino Bartali used his biking speed and strength to deliver documents for Jews to escape fascist Italy. Colorful, detailed illustrations. Back matter.
by Amalia Hoffman
Illustrator: Chiara Fedele
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC During World War II, cycling champion Gino Bartali used his biking speed and strength to deliver documents for Jews to escape fascist Italy. Colorful, detailed illustrations. Back matter.
The Bridge Home
by Padma Venkatraman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After fleeing their abusive father, Viji, 11, and her sister Rukku, 12, form an unusal family with two homeless boys and a stray dog.
by Padma Venkatraman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After fleeing their abusive father, Viji, 11, and her sister Rukku, 12, form an unusal family with two homeless boys and a stray dog.
The Class
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sixth graders recount their versions of friendships involving thievery, spying, and helping a fellow student in need.
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Sixth graders recount their versions of friendships involving thievery, spying, and helping a fellow student in need.
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
by America's Test Kitchen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
There is a ton of information and interesting recipes here for those who like to spend time in the kitchen. Colorful photographs, charts, and cooking tips.
by America's Test Kitchen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
There is a ton of information and interesting recipes here for those who like to spend time in the kitchen. Colorful photographs, charts, and cooking tips.
The Crossover (Crossover series)
by Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Dawud Anyabwile
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Thanks to former pro Chuck Bell, their dad, twins Josh and Jordan, 12, are the kings of the basketball court...until tragedy strikes. Black, white, and orange graphics.
by Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Dawud Anyabwile
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Thanks to former pro Chuck Bell, their dad, twins Josh and Jordan, 12, are the kings of the basketball court...until tragedy strikes. Black, white, and orange graphics.
The Day the World Stopped Turning
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In southern France during World War II, a Roma girl and her best friend, an autistic boy, struggle to survive and save the flamingos living outside their farm.
by Michael Morpurgo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In southern France during World War II, a Roma girl and her best friend, an autistic boy, struggle to survive and save the flamingos living outside their farm.
The Disaster Days
by Rebecca Behrens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
13-year-old Hannah's first real baby-sitting job turns into a nightmare when a major earthquake knocks out power and leaves her stranded with two children.
by Rebecca Behrens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
13-year-old Hannah's first real baby-sitting job turns into a nightmare when a major earthquake knocks out power and leaves her stranded with two children.
The Distance between Me and the Cherry Tree
by Paola Peretti
Illustrator: Carolina Rabei
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In Italy, ten-year-old Mafalda struggles to live a normal life after she learns she is losing her eyesight from a genetic illness.
by Paola Peretti
Illustrator: Carolina Rabei
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
In Italy, ten-year-old Mafalda struggles to live a normal life after she learns she is losing her eyesight from a genetic illness.
The Doughnut King
by Jessie Janowitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Tris thought moving from New York City to the middle of nowhere would make his life worse. As he started his doughnut business, things got better, but much more complicated.
by Jessie Janowitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Tris thought moving from New York City to the middle of nowhere would make his life worse. As he started his doughnut business, things got better, but much more complicated.
The Forgotten Girl
by India Hill Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Nightmares wake Iris as she works to cope with subtle racial injustices at school. The discovery of an abandoned Black cemetery and the ghost who haunts it changes everything.
by India Hill Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Nightmares wake Iris as she works to cope with subtle racial injustices at school. The discovery of an abandoned Black cemetery and the ghost who haunts it changes everything.
The Ghost Collector
by Allison Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Shelly and her Cree grandma help ghosts who are stuck to pass over. But a family tragedy tests Shelly's willingness to let them go.
by Allison Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Shelly and her Cree grandma help ghosts who are stuck to pass over. But a family tragedy tests Shelly's willingness to let them go.
The Hippo at the End of the Hall
by Helen Cooper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Ben receive a museum invitation delivered by bees. Ignoring his mother's advice, he bikes to a magical place in grave danger. Charming pencil illustrations.
by Helen Cooper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
Ben receive a museum invitation delivered by bees. Ignoring his mother's advice, he bikes to a magical place in grave danger. Charming pencil illustrations.
The Journey of York
by Hasan Davis
Illustrator: Alleanna Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC - York, an enslaved man, describes the pivotal role he played in the expedition. Illustrations evoke the untamed American frontier.
by Hasan Davis
Illustrator: Alleanna Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
ARC - York, an enslaved man, describes the pivotal role he played in the expedition. Illustrations evoke the untamed American frontier.
The Light in the Lake
by Sarah R. Baughman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
The tragic loss of her twin brother prompts 12-year-old Addie to follow his pursuit of magic while staying true to her own scientific beliefs.
by Sarah R. Baughman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
The tragic loss of her twin brother prompts 12-year-old Addie to follow his pursuit of magic while staying true to her own scientific beliefs.
The Line Tender
by Kate Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After a tragedy, Lucy continues her late mother's shark research to process her grief. Lifelike pencil drawings of sharks.
by Kate Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2019
After a tragedy, Lucy continues her late mother's shark research to process her grief. Lifelike pencil drawings of sharks.