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'm Gonna Paint: Ralph Fasanella, Artist of the People
Anne Broyles
Illustrator: Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Discovering his talent for painting almost by accident, Fasanella left his labor union job to depict working class lives. Illustrations mimic his exuberant paintings and include reproductions of his art. Back matter.
Anne Broyles
Illustrator: Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Discovering his talent for painting almost by accident, Fasanella left his labor union job to depict working class lives. Illustrations mimic his exuberant paintings and include reproductions of his art. Back matter.
Indestructible Tom Crean, The: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic
Jennifer Thermes
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In the early 20th century, Crean, a member of three Antarctic expeditions, faced hardships and danger, and bravely saved a fellow crewmember's life. Breathtaking mixed-media illustrations.
Jennifer Thermes
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In the early 20th century, Crean, a member of three Antarctic expeditions, faced hardships and danger, and bravely saved a fellow crewmember's life. Breathtaking mixed-media illustrations.
International House of Dereliction, The
Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ten-year-old Alice and her father can fix anything, but can Alice solve the mysteries of the abandoned house next door?
Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ten-year-old Alice and her father can fix anything, but can Alice solve the mysteries of the abandoned house next door?
Joy, to the World
Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker
Illustrator: Noah Grigni
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Joy, 12, decides to fight back when she is kicked off the cheer squad for being transgender. Black-and-white illustrations. Based on the author's own story.
Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker
Illustrator: Noah Grigni
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Joy, 12, decides to fight back when she is kicked off the cheer squad for being transgender. Black-and-white illustrations. Based on the author's own story.
Jules Verne Prophecy, The
Larry Schwarz and Iva-Marie Palmer
Illustrator: Euan Cook
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In Paris for the summer, Owen joins new friends who encounter danger in their spirited attempt to unravel a complicated treasure hunt. Black-and-white illustrations.
Larry Schwarz and Iva-Marie Palmer
Illustrator: Euan Cook
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In Paris for the summer, Owen joins new friends who encounter danger in their spirited attempt to unravel a complicated treasure hunt. Black-and-white illustrations.
Julia and the Shark
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Illustrator: Tom de Freston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A ten-year-old deals with her mother's depression. Compelling artwork in black, white, grey, and yellow. Back matter provides environmental and mental health resources. Mature Content
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Illustrator: Tom de Freston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A ten-year-old deals with her mother's depression. Compelling artwork in black, white, grey, and yellow. Back matter provides environmental and mental health resources. Mature Content
Juniper's Christmas
Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When her mother suddenly disappears just before Christmas, biracial Juniper, 11, seeks the help of a recluse, not realizing who he is. Black-and-white illustrations.
Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
When her mother suddenly disappears just before Christmas, biracial Juniper, 11, seeks the help of a recluse, not realizing who he is. Black-and-white illustrations.
Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life
Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A famous illustrator candidly remembers his passion for creating art, his unidentified dyslexia, and his youth in a Black neighborhood in 1940s and 1950s Philadelphia. Dynamic sketches. Epilogue, time line.
Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A famous illustrator candidly remembers his passion for creating art, his unidentified dyslexia, and his youth in a Black neighborhood in 1940s and 1950s Philadelphia. Dynamic sketches. Epilogue, time line.
Ketanji: Justice Jackson's Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court
Kekla Magoon
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Strikingly realistic artwork accompanies the story of the Supreme Court justice whose brilliance and determination have helped her break barriers and serve as a remarkable role model.
Kekla Magoon
Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Strikingly realistic artwork accompanies the story of the Supreme Court justice whose brilliance and determination have helped her break barriers and serve as a remarkable role model.
Leeva at Last
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Leaving a mother who obsesses about fame and a father who hoards his fortune, Leeva begins her personal odyssey. Humorous spot illustrations.
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Leaving a mother who obsesses about fame and a father who hoards his fortune, Leeva begins her personal odyssey. Humorous spot illustrations.
Lila Duray: A Collection of Delightfully Delectable Poems
Emily Morrison
Illustrator: Aileen Bennett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Poems on a wide variety of subjects familiar to preteens will delight them with humor and originality. Whimsical illustrations.
Emily Morrison
Illustrator: Aileen Bennett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Poems on a wide variety of subjects familiar to preteens will delight them with humor and originality. Whimsical illustrations.
Lost inside My Head
Vigg
Illustrator: Vigg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Vincent knows that his brain works differently from others'. How can he be his best self? Stylized illustrations. Based on the author's own ADHD experience.
Vigg
Illustrator: Vigg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Vincent knows that his brain works differently from others'. How can he be his best self? Stylized illustrations. Based on the author's own ADHD experience.
Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Expressive, realistic illustrations and text tell the inspiring story of a studious young girl who used her intelligence and strong voice to be a changemaker for women and people of color.
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Expressive, realistic illustrations and text tell the inspiring story of a studious young girl who used her intelligence and strong voice to be a changemaker for women and people of color.
Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement
Sandra Neil Wallace
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Refusing to go along to get along, Nash became a crucial leader of the 1960s nonviolent civil rights protests. Compelling watercolors and collages. Back matter. Time line.
Sandra Neil Wallace
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Refusing to go along to get along, Nash became a crucial leader of the 1960s nonviolent civil rights protests. Compelling watercolors and collages. Back matter. Time line.
Mabuhay!
Zachary Sterling
Illustrator: Zachary Sterling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
JJ and Althea, Filipino American siblings, shunned at school, bond with family members and supernatural characters to save the world. Colorful action-packed panels.
Zachary Sterling
Illustrator: Zachary Sterling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
JJ and Althea, Filipino American siblings, shunned at school, bond with family members and supernatural characters to save the world. Colorful action-packed panels.
Major Taylor: World Cycling Champion
Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Vibrant digital illustrations capture the struggles and triumphs of the man who, in 1899, became the first African American world champion in cycling.
Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Vibrant digital illustrations capture the struggles and triumphs of the man who, in 1899, became the first African American world champion in cycling.
Make Way: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and Some Very Famous Ducklings
Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrator: Claire Keane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
The ducks depicted in Make Way for Ducklings became beloved sculptures in Boston's Public Garden through the collaboration of the author and a sculptress. Atmospheric digital illustrations.
Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrator: Claire Keane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
The ducks depicted in Make Way for Ducklings became beloved sculptures in Boston's Public Garden through the collaboration of the author and a sculptress. Atmospheric digital illustrations.
Making More: How Life Begins
Katherine Roy
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Comprehensive accessible text aided by vibrant watercolor illustrations explains that in all species that reproduce by meiosis, new lives result from merging cells from two parents.
Katherine Roy
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Comprehensive accessible text aided by vibrant watercolor illustrations explains that in all species that reproduce by meiosis, new lives result from merging cells from two parents.
Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, The
Daniel Nayeri
Illustrator: Daniel Miyares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An orphaned 12-year-old novice monk narrates his travels with a conniving merchant along the Silk Road in the 11th century. Whimsical paintings introduce each chapter. Extensive back matter.
Daniel Nayeri
Illustrator: Daniel Miyares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An orphaned 12-year-old novice monk narrates his travels with a conniving merchant along the Silk Road in the 11th century. Whimsical paintings introduce each chapter. Extensive back matter.
Many Masks of Andy Zhou, The
Jack Cheng
Illustrator: Jack Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
As he enters middle school, Andy faces a storm of challenges: bullying, best friend woes, and his Shanghainese grandparents moving into his room. Black-and-white spot art.
Jack Cheng
Illustrator: Jack Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
As he enters middle school, Andy faces a storm of challenges: bullying, best friend woes, and his Shanghainese grandparents moving into his room. Black-and-white spot art.
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir
Pedro Martin
Illustrator: Pedro Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
This coming-of-age graphic memoir captures the humor and poignancy of sibling relations, cultural identity, family history, and an epic road trip. Vibrant panels.
Pedro Martin
Illustrator: Pedro Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
This coming-of-age graphic memoir captures the humor and poignancy of sibling relations, cultural identity, family history, and an epic road trip. Vibrant panels.
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait: The Story of a Photograph That Became an American Icon
Leonard S. Marcus
Illustrator: photographs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Lincoln's media-savvy side is revealed in a story focusing on the 19th-century photographers and painter who helped create his image. Color inserts. Archival images and photographs. Time lines.
Leonard S. Marcus
Illustrator: photographs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Lincoln's media-savvy side is revealed in a story focusing on the 19th-century photographers and painter who helped create his image. Color inserts. Archival images and photographs. Time lines.
Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters
Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mr. Whiskers, a street-smart stray dog, helps two sisters rescue their kidnapped father—and uncovers a mysterious pirate's treasure. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Mr. Whiskers, a street-smart stray dog, helps two sisters rescue their kidnapped father—and uncovers a mysterious pirate's treasure. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
My Head Has a Bellyache and More Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups
Chris Harris
Illustrator: Andrea Tsurumi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Inventive, humorous, and thoughtful poems in multiple forms are accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations. Glossary of poetic terms.
Chris Harris
Illustrator: Andrea Tsurumi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Inventive, humorous, and thoughtful poems in multiple forms are accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations. Glossary of poetic terms.
My Incredible India
Jasbinder Bilam
Illustrator: Nina Chakrabarti
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Through a series of mementos she has collected, a grandmother introduces her granddaughter to their vast, diverse homeland. Mixed-media art reflects the vibrant colors of India. Back matter, index.
Jasbinder Bilam
Illustrator: Nina Chakrabarti
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Through a series of mementos she has collected, a grandmother introduces her granddaughter to their vast, diverse homeland. Mixed-media art reflects the vibrant colors of India. Back matter, index.