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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A Properly Unhaunted Place
by William Alexander
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Both ghost story and evocation of memories, Rosa, daughter of the town's new ghost appeaser, helps the community resolve its deepest, darkest secret. Pencil illustrations.
by William Alexander
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Both ghost story and evocation of memories, Rosa, daughter of the town's new ghost appeaser, helps the community resolve its deepest, darkest secret. Pencil illustrations.
Baseball Genius
by Tim Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
How does a 12-year-old math whiz realize his dream of playing for the big leagues when his hard-working father can't even afford to pay the tuition for the travel team?
by Tim Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
How does a 12-year-old math whiz realize his dream of playing for the big leagues when his hard-working father can't even afford to pay the tuition for the travel team?
Be a Night Detective
written and illustrated by Peggy Kochanoff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Who's out only at night and why? Find out about cicadas, moths, skunks, and more. Watercolor illustrations explain the text. Back matter.
written and illustrated by Peggy Kochanoff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Who's out only at night and why? Find out about cicadas, moths, skunks, and more. Watercolor illustrations explain the text. Back matter.
Beauty and the Beak
by Deborah Lee Rose
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Glorious color photographs enhance the true story of a bald eagle that was shot and her beak shattered. A biologist and engineer make her a prosthetic using a 3D printer.
by Deborah Lee Rose
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Glorious color photographs enhance the true story of a bald eagle that was shot and her beak shattered. A biologist and engineer make her a prosthetic using a 3D printer.
Bertha Takes a Drive
written and illustrated by Jan Adkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
In late 19th century Germany, Bertha Benz drives a car, developed by her husband Karl, 100 kilometers. Colorful Photoshop illustrations, engine details, and timeline. Back matter.
written and illustrated by Jan Adkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
In late 19th century Germany, Bertha Benz drives a car, developed by her husband Karl, 100 kilometers. Colorful Photoshop illustrations, engine details, and timeline. Back matter.
Beyond the Bright Sea
by Lauren Wolk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Orphaned as a newborn, Crow, 12, is determined to find her root s even if it means learning that she was born in a leper colony.
by Lauren Wolk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Orphaned as a newborn, Crow, 12, is determined to find her root s even if it means learning that she was born in a leper colony.
Bicycles (Made by Hand series)
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Follow step-by-step as a craftsman creates a bicycle. Clear text, photographs, and diagrams convey the pleasure and satisfaction of making something by hand.
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Follow step-by-step as a craftsman creates a bicycle. Clear text, photographs, and diagrams convey the pleasure and satisfaction of making something by hand.
Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel
by Kimberly Willis Holt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After her parents die in an accident, Stevie slowly learns about the family she never knew and finds a new home and good friends.
by Kimberly Willis Holt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After her parents die in an accident, Stevie slowly learns about the family she never knew and finds a new home and good friends.
Boat of Dreams
written and illustrated by Rogério Coelho
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A dreamlike wordless picture book features an old man and a young boy. Sepia toned expressionistic story board illustrations.
written and illustrated by Rogério Coelho
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A dreamlike wordless picture book features an old man and a young boy. Sepia toned expressionistic story board illustrations.
Books and Bricks
by Sindiwe Magona
Illustrator: Cornelius VanWright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC - In contemporary South Africa, parents and children get excited about improving their school and community opportunities. Realistic, soft black-and-white drawings. Extensive back matter.
by Sindiwe Magona
Illustrator: Cornelius VanWright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC - In contemporary South Africa, parents and children get excited about improving their school and community opportunities. Realistic, soft black-and-white drawings. Extensive back matter.
Bound by Ice
by Sandra Neil Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Enhanced by journal entries, photographs, and numerous illustrations the saga of an ill-fated exploratory voyage to the North Pole in 1879 is presented. Back matter.
by Sandra Neil Wallace
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Enhanced by journal entries, photographs, and numerous illustrations the saga of an ill-fated exploratory voyage to the North Pole in 1879 is presented. Back matter.
Broken Pride (Bravelands series)
by Erin Hunter
Illustrator: Owen Richardson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Three young animals -- a lion, a baboon, and an elephant -- experience friendship, revenge, magic, and betrayal on the African savanna. First in a series.
by Erin Hunter
Illustrator: Owen Richardson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Three young animals -- a lion, a baboon, and an elephant -- experience friendship, revenge, magic, and betrayal on the African savanna. First in a series.
Bronze and Sunflower
by Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
During China's “Cultural Revolution,” an orphaned city girl is adopted by a poor village family and together they survive poverty, floods, and famine.
by Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
During China's “Cultural Revolution,” an orphaned city girl is adopted by a poor village family and together they survive poverty, floods, and famine.
Caleb and Kit
by Beth Vrabel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC Caleb, a 12-year-old boy dealing with cystic fibrosis, discovers true friendship when he meets Kit, a girl with magical stories and beliefs.
by Beth Vrabel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC Caleb, a 12-year-old boy dealing with cystic fibrosis, discovers true friendship when he meets Kit, a girl with magical stories and beliefs.
Calico Girl
by Jerdine Nolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
At the dawn of the Civil War, twelve-year-old Callie Wilcomb's family escapes slavery and flees to Union-held Fort Monroe, Virginia. Extensive back matter.
by Jerdine Nolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
At the dawn of the Civil War, twelve-year-old Callie Wilcomb's family escapes slavery and flees to Union-held Fort Monroe, Virginia. Extensive back matter.
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When his beloved jazz-guitarist grandfather dies, Clayton struggles with the loss and his desire to continue pursuing his own jazz-harmonica talent.
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When his beloved jazz-guitarist grandfather dies, Clayton struggles with the loss and his desire to continue pursuing his own jazz-harmonica talent.
Confessions from the Principal's Kid
by Robin Mellom
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Being the principal's kid has is perks for fifth-grader Allie West, but she would rather be “normal.”
by Robin Mellom
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Being the principal's kid has is perks for fifth-grader Allie West, but she would rather be “normal.”
Dangerous Jane
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Alice Ratterree
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
The life of Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who devoted her life to helping others and to peace, is poetically described. Evocative watercolors. Back matter.
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Alice Ratterree
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
The life of Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who devoted her life to helping others and to peace, is poetically described. Evocative watercolors. Back matter.
Dazzle Ships
by Chris Barton
Illustrator: Victo Ngai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Hoping to confuse German submarines, World War I ships are painted with bold geometric, brightly colored patterns. Mixed-media illustrations reflect the patterns and colors of the time.
by Chris Barton
Illustrator: Victo Ngai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Hoping to confuse German submarines, World War I ships are painted with bold geometric, brightly colored patterns. Mixed-media illustrations reflect the patterns and colors of the time.
Exploring Space
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Stephen Biesty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
From balloons to the International Space Station, this is a journey through the solar system. Detailed, cutaway illustrations and back matter.
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Stephen Biesty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
From balloons to the International Space Station, this is a journey through the solar system. Detailed, cutaway illustrations and back matter.
Extreme Survivors
by Kimberly Ridley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Amazing photographs accompany a fascinating text describing rare and unusual creatures, some existing for millions of years. Includes glossary and bibliography.
by Kimberly Ridley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Amazing photographs accompany a fascinating text describing rare and unusual creatures, some existing for millions of years. Includes glossary and bibliography.
Eye of the Storm
by Amy Cherrix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Scientists from many backgrounds use the latest technology to more accurately predict hurricane strength and movement. Color photographs, maps, and back matter.
by Amy Cherrix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Scientists from many backgrounds use the latest technology to more accurately predict hurricane strength and movement. Color photographs, maps, and back matter.
Fault Lines
by Johanna Wagstaffe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A Canadian seismologist discusses earthquakes, tsunamis, and emergency preparedness, accompanied by personal stories and photographs.
by Johanna Wagstaffe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A Canadian seismologist discusses earthquakes, tsunamis, and emergency preparedness, accompanied by personal stories and photographs.
Finding the Edge
by Karen Chen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
National figure skating champion, Karen Chen, writes about the challenges and victories as a shy girl hoping for an Olympic medal in 2018. Photographs and back matter.
by Karen Chen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
National figure skating champion, Karen Chen, writes about the challenges and victories as a shy girl hoping for an Olympic medal in 2018. Photographs and back matter.
Flowers for Sarajevo
by John McCutcheon
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When a mortar kills 22 people at a bakery, a musician plays his cello in the rubble for 22 consecutive days in remembrance. Affecting mixed-media illustrations.
by John McCutcheon
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When a mortar kills 22 people at a bakery, a musician plays his cello in the rubble for 22 consecutive days in remembrance. Affecting mixed-media illustrations.