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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Letters to a Prisoner
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A father's peaceful protest leads to harsh imprisonment by hostile forces until a deluge of letters from supporters arrives. Colorful pen and ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A father's peaceful protest leads to harsh imprisonment by hostile forces until a deluge of letters from supporters arrives. Colorful pen and ink illustrations.
Life on Surtsey (Scientists in the Field series)
by Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator: Sarah Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
An Icelandic entomologist and his crew tirelessly follow the geological and ecological changes on an island formed by a 1963 volcanic eruption. Informative photographs. Extensive back matter.
by Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator: Sarah Green
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
An Icelandic entomologist and his crew tirelessly follow the geological and ecological changes on an island formed by a 1963 volcanic eruption. Informative photographs. Extensive back matter.
Lights, Camera, Cook! (Next Best Junior Chef series)
by Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrator: Aurélie Blard-Quintard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Four preteen chefs engage in a challenging competition to create complicated dishes with a wide range of techniques and ingredients. Friendship, and personal growth ensue. Humorous illustrations. First in a series.
by Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrator: Aurélie Blard-Quintard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Four preteen chefs engage in a challenging competition to create complicated dishes with a wide range of techniques and ingredients. Friendship, and personal growth ensue. Humorous illustrations. First in a series.
Little Bits of Sky
by S. E. Durrant
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After foster homes and a London orphanage, will brothers Ira (11) and Zac (9) find a place to belong? Ira narrates in diary form. Spot drawings.
by S. E. Durrant
Illustrator: Katie Harnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After foster homes and a London orphanage, will brothers Ira (11) and Zac (9) find a place to belong? Ira narrates in diary form. Spot drawings.
Lost in Outer Space (Lost series)
by Tod Olson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A riveting account of the ill-fate Apollo 13 mission is illustrated with black and white archival photographs. Includes glossary and source notes.
by Tod Olson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A riveting account of the ill-fate Apollo 13 mission is illustrated with black and white archival photographs. Includes glossary and source notes.
Louis Undercover
by Fanny Britt
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
An adolescent boy copes with an alcoholic father in this heartfelt graphic novel. Pencil-and-ink drawings.
by Fanny Britt
Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
An adolescent boy copes with an alcoholic father in this heartfelt graphic novel. Pencil-and-ink drawings.
Lucky Broken Girl
by Ruth Behar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After Ruthie's family flees Cuba for America in the 1960's, a car accident causes her to spend months in a body cast but friends and family help her cope.
by Ruth Behar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
After Ruthie's family flees Cuba for America in the 1960's, a car accident causes her to spend months in a body cast but friends and family help her cope.
Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming
by J. Anderson Coats
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Promised a better life in the Washington Territory, a New England family boards a steamship that doesn't deliver that promise. Stepdaughter Jane perseveres despite obstacles.
by J. Anderson Coats
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Promised a better life in the Washington Territory, a New England family boards a steamship that doesn't deliver that promise. Stepdaughter Jane perseveres despite obstacles.
Mary Anning's Curiosity
by Monica Kulling
Illustrator: Melissa Castrillon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Her determination, courage, and luck make the impossible possible for Mary Anning, a fossilist from childhood. Informative back matter and period illustrations support text.
by Monica Kulling
Illustrator: Melissa Castrillon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Her determination, courage, and luck make the impossible possible for Mary Anning, a fossilist from childhood. Informative back matter and period illustrations support text.
Matylda, Bright & Tender
by Holly M. McGhee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A ten-year-old tries to overcome her grief and remorse over her best friend's death by caring for his beloved lizard.
by Holly M. McGhee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
A ten-year-old tries to overcome her grief and remorse over her best friend's death by caring for his beloved lizard.
Maya Lin
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Architect/artist Maya Lin has contributed to new views on US History and the environment through interactive constructions, including the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Historical photographs, bibliography, source notes, index.
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Architect/artist Maya Lin has contributed to new views on US History and the environment through interactive constructions, including the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Historical photographs, bibliography, source notes, index.
Me and Marvin Gardens
by Amy Sarig King
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC Obe discovers a new animal species, then must protect it from the neighborhood bullies and the encroaching housing development built on his family's century-old farm.
by Amy Sarig King
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC Obe discovers a new animal species, then must protect it from the neighborhood bullies and the encroaching housing development built on his family's century-old farm.
Miriam's Secret
by Debby Waldman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
In 1930, 10-year-old Miriam, staying at her grandparents' upstate New York farm, makes a new friend and shares the celebration of Jewish holidays.
by Debby Waldman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
In 1930, 10-year-old Miriam, staying at her grandparents' upstate New York farm, makes a new friend and shares the celebration of Jewish holidays.
Monsterland
by James Crowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
On Halloween, ten-year-old Charlie, grieving over the disappearance of his cousin, finds Monsterland where vampires and ogres teach him about love, loss, and friendship.
by James Crowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
On Halloween, ten-year-old Charlie, grieving over the disappearance of his cousin, finds Monsterland where vampires and ogres teach him about love, loss, and friendship.
Motor Girls
by Sue Macy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Automobiles in the early 1900's had a dramatic impact on women's lives, including participation in World War I and the suffrage movement. Photographs, index, primary sources.
by Sue Macy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Automobiles in the early 1900's had a dramatic impact on women's lives, including participation in World War I and the suffrage movement. Photographs, index, primary sources.
Muddy
by Michael Mahin
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Moving from the deep South to Chicago's South Side, Muddy Waters was inspired and determined to sing the blues his way. Bold mixed-media illustrations.
by Michael Mahin
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Moving from the deep South to Chicago's South Side, Muddy Waters was inspired and determined to sing the blues his way. Bold mixed-media illustrations.
My Brigadista Year
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Traveling to the mountains, Lora, a 13-year-old Havana student, faces dangerous situations as a literacy campaign volunteer in 1961 post-revolutionary Cuba. Back matter.
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Traveling to the mountains, Lora, a 13-year-old Havana student, faces dangerous situations as a literacy campaign volunteer in 1961 post-revolutionary Cuba. Back matter.
Nightlights
written and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When a new school friend threatens Sandy and her artwork, she finds a clever way to escape. Colorful detailed illustrations contrast with muted real world scenes.
written and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
When a new school friend threatens Sandy and her artwork, she finds a clever way to escape. Colorful detailed illustrations contrast with muted real world scenes.
Noah Webster's Fighting Words
by Tracy Nelson Maurer
Illustrator: Mircea Catusanu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
This witty picture book focuses on Noah Webster, who wrote the first American English dictionary, and included editorial comments by his fictional ghost. Lively collage-style illustrations. Back matter.
by Tracy Nelson Maurer
Illustrator: Mircea Catusanu
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
This witty picture book focuses on Noah Webster, who wrote the first American English dictionary, and included editorial comments by his fictional ghost. Lively collage-style illustrations. Back matter.
Not So Different
by Shane Burcaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC (The title is for the hardcover edition. The ARC title is Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Being Disabled) Shane answers questions about living with SMA, a rare form of muscular disease, with cheery candor. He aims to break barriers and make friends. Appealing photographs.
by Shane Burcaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
ARC (The title is for the hardcover edition. The ARC title is Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Being Disabled) Shane answers questions about living with SMA, a rare form of muscular disease, with cheery candor. He aims to break barriers and make friends. Appealing photographs.
Older Than Dirt
by Don Brown
Illustrator: Don Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
The foundation and history of planet Earth is narrated by a ground hog and an earthworm. Colorful graphic format and detailed sources in back matter.
by Don Brown
Illustrator: Don Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
The foundation and history of planet Earth is narrated by a ground hog and an earthworm. Colorful graphic format and detailed sources in back matter.
Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
written and illustrated by Elise Gravel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Olga dreams of becoming a great zoologist. Has she discovered a new - possibly alien - species? Quirky cartoon illustrations.
written and illustrated by Elise Gravel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Olga dreams of becoming a great zoologist. Has she discovered a new - possibly alien - species? Quirky cartoon illustrations.
Once You Know This
by Emily Blejwas
Illustrator: Jori van der Linde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Brittany's new teacher at her urban school provides her with art and new ideas that help her to cope with her many challenges at home.
by Emily Blejwas
Illustrator: Jori van der Linde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Brittany's new teacher at her urban school provides her with art and new ideas that help her to cope with her many challenges at home.
Otherwise Known As Possum
by Maria D. Laso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
LizBetty “Possum” Porter, 11, already knows everything, but after her mother dies, she must attend school where her fierce loyalty confronts unexpected truths.
by Maria D. Laso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
LizBetty “Possum” Porter, 11, already knows everything, but after her mother dies, she must attend school where her fierce loyalty confronts unexpected truths.
Our Story Begins
edited by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Twenty-five noted, diverse authors and illustrators of children's and young adult books talk about their childhood efforts. Includes original examples.
edited by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2017
Twenty-five noted, diverse authors and illustrators of children's and young adult books talk about their childhood efforts. Includes original examples.