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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The Hyena Scientist (Scientists in the Field series)
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
A zoologist and her team revisit hyenas in a field site in Kenya, observing their unique dominant female society. Extensive photographs.
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
A zoologist and her team revisit hyenas in a field site in Kenya, observing their unique dominant female society. Extensive photographs.
The Language of Spells
by Garret Weyr
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Dragons are disappearing - or perhaps people simply can't see them. But 11-year-old Maggie can see Grisha. Can they find the missing dragons? Folkloric black-and-white illustrations.
by Garret Weyr
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Dragons are disappearing - or perhaps people simply can't see them. But 11-year-old Maggie can see Grisha. Can they find the missing dragons? Folkloric black-and-white illustrations.
The Lifters
by Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Aaron Renier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In an allegory about courage and hope a twelve-year-old boy's hometown is menaced by violent sinkholes. A bossy classmate might be connected. Arresting black-and-white illustrations.
by Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Aaron Renier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In an allegory about courage and hope a twelve-year-old boy's hometown is menaced by violent sinkholes. A bossy classmate might be connected. Arresting black-and-white illustrations.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
by Stacy McAnulty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Can home-schooled 12-year-old Lucy - a math genius with strange behavioral rituals - adapt to regular school? Supportive family, new friends, a math teacher and an orphan dog help.
by Stacy McAnulty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Can home-schooled 12-year-old Lucy - a math genius with strange behavioral rituals - adapt to regular school? Supportive family, new friends, a math teacher and an orphan dog help.
The Monarchs Are Missing
by Rebecca E. Hirsch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Scientists are working to discover why monarch butterfly populations are decreasing. Back matter includes advice on participating in that effort as a citizen scientist and on planting butterfly gardens. Vivid photographs.
by Rebecca E. Hirsch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Scientists are working to discover why monarch butterfly populations are decreasing. Back matter includes advice on participating in that effort as a citizen scientist and on planting butterfly gardens. Vivid photographs.
The Mortification of Fovea Munson
by Mary Winn Heider
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Instead of summer camp, Fovea becomes the new receptionist at her parent's cadaver lab, where not everything is lifeless. Quirky black-and-white cartoon illustrations.
by Mary Winn Heider
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Instead of summer camp, Fovea becomes the new receptionist at her parent's cadaver lab, where not everything is lifeless. Quirky black-and-white cartoon illustrations.
The Orca Scientists (Scientists in the Field series)
by Kim Perez Valice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
With meticulous observation, scientists monitor the daily life and strong family ties of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest waters. Color photographs, backmatter.
by Kim Perez Valice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
With meticulous observation, scientists monitor the daily life and strong family ties of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest waters. Color photographs, backmatter.
The Orphan Band of Springdale
by Anne Nesbet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In 1941, 11-year-old Gusta Neubronner's spirit is tested when her parents send her from New York to her grandmother's boarding house in Maine.
by Anne Nesbet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
In 1941, 11-year-old Gusta Neubronner's spirit is tested when her parents send her from New York to her grandmother's boarding house in Maine.
The Parker Inheritance
by Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An old letter found in her dead grandmother's attic leads Candice and her neighbor to unravel a 60-year-old mystery, revealing the town's shameful, racist past.
by Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An old letter found in her dead grandmother's attic leads Candice and her neighbor to unravel a 60-year-old mystery, revealing the town's shameful, racist past.
The Patchwork Bike
by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Illustrator: Van Thanh Rudd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Acrylic paint and cardboard illustrations combine with lively text to describe rural desert life and the joy that comes from creating something out of nothing.
by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Illustrator: Van Thanh Rudd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Acrylic paint and cardboard illustrations combine with lively text to describe rural desert life and the joy that comes from creating something out of nothing.
The Rhino in Right Field
by Stacy DeKeyser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Laugh out loud as 12-year-old Nick tries to play baseball, avoid Tank, the rhino, and satisfy his hard-working Greek immigrant father. Set in 1948 Wisconsin.
by Stacy DeKeyser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Laugh out loud as 12-year-old Nick tries to play baseball, avoid Tank, the rhino, and satisfy his hard-working Greek immigrant father. Set in 1948 Wisconsin.
The Season of Styx Malone
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
ARC Styx appears in the woods neighboring Caleb's and B.G.'s house one summer, tempting them to test their overprotective father's rules and steering them toward risky behavior.
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
ARC Styx appears in the woods neighboring Caleb's and B.G.'s house one summer, tempting them to test their overprotective father's rules and steering them toward risky behavior.
The Secret Kingdom
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Following the historic 1947 partition of India, Nek Chand recreates his childhood village using recycled materials for the now famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Evocative watercolor and gouache illustrations. Back matter.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Following the historic 1947 partition of India, Nek Chand recreates his childhood village using recycled materials for the now famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Evocative watercolor and gouache illustrations. Back matter.
The Serpent's Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series)
by Sayantani DasGupta
Illustrator: Vivienne To
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The morning of Kiranmala's birthday starts normally, until a rakkhosh (demon) bursts through the door and steals her Bangladeshi parents from their New Jersey home. Intermittent black-and-white illustrations.
by Sayantani DasGupta
Illustrator: Vivienne To
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The morning of Kiranmala's birthday starts normally, until a rakkhosh (demon) bursts through the door and steals her Bangladeshi parents from their New Jersey home. Intermittent black-and-white illustrations.
The Sinking of the Vasa
by Russell Freedman
Illustrator: William Low
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Commissioned by the Swedish king in 1628 to be the greatest sailing warship ever, the Vasa sank immediately after its launching. Colorful digital illustrations and back matter.
by Russell Freedman
Illustrator: William Low
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Commissioned by the Swedish king in 1628 to be the greatest sailing warship ever, the Vasa sank immediately after its launching. Colorful digital illustrations and back matter.
The Sky at Our Feet
by Nadia Hashimi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When immigration authorities arrest his Afghan mother, Jason escapes to New York City in search of a family friend. Max, a new and unexpected ally, helps him.
by Nadia Hashimi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When immigration authorities arrest his Afghan mother, Jason escapes to New York City in search of a family friend. Max, a new and unexpected ally, helps him.
The Sockeye Mother
by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett David Huson)
Illustrator: Natasha Donovan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia depend on the sockeye salmon. Follow the life cycle with detailed, full-page illustrations using imagery from Northwestern cultures.
by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett David Huson)
Illustrator: Natasha Donovan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia depend on the sockeye salmon. Follow the life cycle with detailed, full-page illustrations using imagery from Northwestern cultures.
The Sound of Freedom
by Kathy Kacer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When life in 1936 Krakow, Poland, becomes difficult for Jews, Anna hopes her father, a celebrated clarinetist, will be accepted into a newly formed orchestra in Palestine.
by Kathy Kacer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When life in 1936 Krakow, Poland, becomes difficult for Jews, Anna hopes her father, a celebrated clarinetist, will be accepted into a newly formed orchestra in Palestine.
The Spirit of Cattail County
by Victoria Piontek
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Bereaved by her mother's recent death, 12-year-old Sparrow has one friend, a ghostly boy. What is his secret? The answer may allow her to keep her home.
by Victoria Piontek
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Bereaved by her mother's recent death, 12-year-old Sparrow has one friend, a ghostly boy. What is his secret? The answer may allow her to keep her home.
The Third Mushroom
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Tad Carpenter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When seventh-grader Ellie's scientist grandfather Melvin returns for a long visit, he teaches her that there is much to learn from failed experiments.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Tad Carpenter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
When seventh-grader Ellie's scientist grandfather Melvin returns for a long visit, he teaches her that there is much to learn from failed experiments.
The Titanic (Survival Tales series)
by Katrina Charman
Illustrator: Owen Richardson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
With the help of friends, four-legged Mutt sneaks on board the Titanic to reunite with his beloved owner, Alice.
by Katrina Charman
Illustrator: Owen Richardson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
With the help of friends, four-legged Mutt sneaks on board the Titanic to reunite with his beloved owner, Alice.
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Dyslexia is one of the challenges for Mason as he faces not only bullies, but also the unjust suspicion of the police that he caused a friend's death.
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Dyslexia is one of the challenges for Mason as he faces not only bullies, but also the unjust suspicion of the police that he caused a friend's death.
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair
by Amy Makechnie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Spunky, imaginative Gwyn and sister Bitty find friends and adventure when, hoping to trigger a recovery for their brain-injured mother, the family moves back to her Iowa hometown.
by Amy Makechnie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
Spunky, imaginative Gwyn and sister Bitty find friends and adventure when, hoping to trigger a recovery for their brain-injured mother, the family moves back to her Iowa hometown.
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden
by Karina Yan Glaser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The Vanderbeeker siblings decide to create a garden in a lot next door. Unfortunately, a real estate developer also has his sights set on that lot.
by Karina Yan Glaser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
The Vanderbeeker siblings decide to create a garden in a lot next door. Unfortunately, a real estate developer also has his sights set on that lot.
The Vast Wonder of the World
by Mélina Mangal
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An impoverished childhood in the segregated South did not deter Just from attending Dartmouth College and succeeding in a career as a groundbreaking biologist. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.
by Mélina Mangal
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2018
An impoverished childhood in the segregated South did not deter Just from attending Dartmouth College and succeeding in a career as a groundbreaking biologist. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.