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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Sasquatch and the Muckleshoot (The Unicorn Rescue Society series)
by Adam Gidwitz
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Chock-full of punning and zaniness, this fast-paced third book of the series favors Sasquatches and attacks corporate greed, unscrupulous media, environmental depredation, and white privilege.
by Adam Gidwitz
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Chock-full of punning and zaniness, this fast-paced third book of the series favors Sasquatches and attacks corporate greed, unscrupulous media, environmental depredation, and white privilege.
Saving Winslow
by Sharon Creech
Illustrator: Vincent Moustache
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Despite dire predictions, Louie and Nora nurture Winston, a newborn mini donkey. As Winston matures, neighbors complain, and Winston's future must be determined. Simple line drawings.
by Sharon Creech
Illustrator: Vincent Moustache
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Despite dire predictions, Louie and Nora nurture Winston, a newborn mini donkey. As Winston matures, neighbors complain, and Winston's future must be determined. Simple line drawings.
Snowy Owl Invasion!
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An unusual migration of snowy owls in 2013 provided researchers with an unprecedented opportunity to study them. Amazing photographs. Notes, glossary, and sources.
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An unusual migration of snowy owls in 2013 provided researchers with an unprecedented opportunity to study them. Amazing photographs. Notes, glossary, and sources.
Stanley Will Probably Be Fine
by Sally J. Pla
Illustrator: Steve Wolfhard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Challenged by his sensory processing disorder, middle-schooler Stanley uses his love of comics to battle environmental stress. Friends and school staff provide vital support.
by Sally J. Pla
Illustrator: Steve Wolfhard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Challenged by his sensory processing disorder, middle-schooler Stanley uses his love of comics to battle environmental stress. Friends and school staff provide vital support.
Steel Drums (Made By Hand series)
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Learn the history of the steel drum, with Ellie Mannette's contribution and legacy. Photographs and back matter.
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Learn the history of the steel drum, with Ellie Mannette's contribution and legacy. Photographs and back matter.
Streetcar to Justice
by Amy Hill Hearth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The far-reaching effects of a black woman whose court case desegregated cable cars in New York in 1855 are supported by extensive historical and biographical documentation. Archival photographs and drawings. Rich back matter.
by Amy Hill Hearth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The far-reaching effects of a black woman whose court case desegregated cable cars in New York in 1855 are supported by extensive historical and biographical documentation. Archival photographs and drawings. Rich back matter.
Strongheart
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
A German shepherd becomes a star of silent screen Hollywood. Based on a true story and accompanied by black-and-white oil paintings. Back matter.
by Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
A German shepherd becomes a star of silent screen Hollywood. Based on a true story and accompanied by black-and-white oil paintings. Back matter.
Sweep
by Jonathan Auxier
Illustrator: Dadu Shin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In Victorian England, 11-year-old Nan is indentured to a cruel master as a chimney sweep, a brutally dangerous job, until the day a strange creature rescues her.
by Jonathan Auxier
Illustrator: Dadu Shin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In Victorian England, 11-year-old Nan is indentured to a cruel master as a chimney sweep, a brutally dangerous job, until the day a strange creature rescues her.
Takedown
by Laura Shovan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Fighting stereotypes and prejudices, a girl and boy become unlikely friends, as they compete at wrestling. Together they find self-confidence and their moral compasses.
by Laura Shovan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Fighting stereotypes and prejudices, a girl and boy become unlikely friends, as they compete at wrestling. Together they find self-confidence and their moral compasses.
The Benefits of Being an Octopus
by Ann Braden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When a teacher invites her to join the debate club, seventh-grader Zoey begins to see things differently. Can she convince her mother to leave her abusive boyfriend?
by Ann Braden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When a teacher invites her to join the debate club, seventh-grader Zoey begins to see things differently. Can she convince her mother to leave her abusive boyfriend?
The Book of Boy
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Illustrator: Ian Schoenherr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In 14th century France, a plucky and physically-disfigured boy narrates his action-packed journey with the villainous pilgrim who he serves. Spot black-and-white illustrations.
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Illustrator: Ian Schoenherr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In 14th century France, a plucky and physically-disfigured boy narrates his action-packed journey with the villainous pilgrim who he serves. Spot black-and-white illustrations.
The Bookshop Girl
by Sylvia Bishop
Illustrator: Poly Bernatene
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
After coping with a struggling small town bookstore, Property and her family win the greatest bookstore in England. But there's a catch! Occasional black-and-white digital illustrations.
by Sylvia Bishop
Illustrator: Poly Bernatene
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
After coping with a struggling small town bookstore, Property and her family win the greatest bookstore in England. But there's a catch! Occasional black-and-white digital illustrations.
The Cardboard Kingdom
written and illustrated by Chad Sell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
This colorful, whimsical graphic novel, with a diverse cast of characters, shares episodic summer adventures in a very creative neighborhood - knights, rogues, robots, and monsters included.
written and illustrated by Chad Sell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
This colorful, whimsical graphic novel, with a diverse cast of characters, shares episodic summer adventures in a very creative neighborhood - knights, rogues, robots, and monsters included.
The Creature of the Pines (Unicorn Rescue Society series)
by Adam Gidwitz
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
New children Elliot and Uchenna take a field trip with an eccentric professor and end up in a secret society. Mixed-media illustrations. First in a series.
by Adam Gidwitz
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
New children Elliot and Uchenna take a field trip with an eccentric professor and end up in a secret society. Mixed-media illustrations. First in a series.
The Crossroads
by Alexandra Diaz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Jaime is sent, along with his cousin Angela, from Guatemala to live with Jaime's older brother Tomas in the United States. He learns English, and a great deal more. Also available in Spanish.
by Alexandra Diaz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Jaime is sent, along with his cousin Angela, from Guatemala to live with Jaime's older brother Tomas in the United States. He learns English, and a great deal more. Also available in Spanish.
The Day War Came
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Forced to leave her familiar world, a refugee girl tells about her arduous journey. Starkly realistic narrative heightened by colorful childlike illustrations that render the pain of war.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Forced to leave her familiar world, a refugee girl tells about her arduous journey. Starkly realistic narrative heightened by colorful childlike illustrations that render the pain of war.
The Dollar Kids
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Ryan Andrews
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Lowen's family buys a house for a dollar in a small town seeking new families to fill their school and their sports teams. Occasional comic strip illustrations.
by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrator: Ryan Andrews
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Lowen's family buys a house for a dollar in a small town seeking new families to fill their school and their sports teams. Occasional comic strip illustrations.
The Doughnut Fix
by Jessie Janowitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Tris, 11, and his family move from New York City to a one-horse town. Can good doughnuts help? Recipes and business plan.
by Jessie Janowitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Tris, 11, and his family move from New York City to a one-horse town. Can good doughnuts help? Recipes and business plan.
The Elephant Thief
by Jane Kerr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In Victorian Edinburgh, Danny, orphan pickpocket, changes his life when he agrees to a dangerous task - walking an elephant from Edinburgh to Manchester in one week.
by Jane Kerr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In Victorian Edinburgh, Danny, orphan pickpocket, changes his life when he agrees to a dangerous task - walking an elephant from Edinburgh to Manchester in one week.
The Eleventh Hour
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Two unlikely friends grow up together, then, when World War I begins, join the Canadian Army together, with tragic consequences.
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Two unlikely friends grow up together, then, when World War I begins, join the Canadian Army together, with tragic consequences.
The Eye That Never Sleeps
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: Jeremy Holmes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
F&G A Scottish immigrant, now a detective, foils a plot to assassinate President-Elect Lincoln. Digitized scratchboard illustrations add to the minute-by-minute drama. Back matter.
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: Jeremy Holmes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
F&G A Scottish immigrant, now a detective, foils a plot to assassinate President-Elect Lincoln. Digitized scratchboard illustrations add to the minute-by-minute drama. Back matter.
The Girl with More Than One Heart
by Laura Geringer Bass
Illustrator: Penelope Dullaghan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When Briana's father suddenly dies, her family seems to fall apart. A brother with autism and a depressed mother are a heavy burden for a grieving, gifted young teen.
by Laura Geringer Bass
Illustrator: Penelope Dullaghan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When Briana's father suddenly dies, her family seems to fall apart. A brother with autism and a depressed mother are a heavy burden for a grieving, gifted young teen.
The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley
by April Stevens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When Frances, a solitary, gifted student and nature lover, loses her best friend, the school bus driver, she slowly begins to reach out to classmates and her sister.
by April Stevens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When Frances, a solitary, gifted student and nature lover, loses her best friend, the school bus driver, she slowly begins to reach out to classmates and her sister.
The House That Lou Built
by Mae Respicio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Lou, a bicultural fatherless Californian, must deal with the challenges of a prospective move away from a large, loving Filipino family and a house she is secretly building in the woods.
by Mae Respicio
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Lou, a bicultural fatherless Californian, must deal with the challenges of a prospective move away from a large, loving Filipino family and a house she is secretly building in the woods.
The House with Chicken Legs
by Sophie Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Longing for friends, Marinka chafes against her destiny to become a Yaga and a Guardian of the Gate to the world of the dead.
by Sophie Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Longing for friends, Marinka chafes against her destiny to become a Yaga and a Guardian of the Gate to the world of the dead.