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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My Indigo World: A True Story of the Color Blue
Rosa Chang
Illustrator: Rosa Chang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A Korean girl in her new American home explains how to grow indigo seeds and how traditional indigo dyeing has connected communities. Exquisite detailed blue dye illustrations. Back matter.
Rosa Chang
Illustrator: Rosa Chang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A Korean girl in her new American home explains how to grow indigo seeds and how traditional indigo dyeing has connected communities. Exquisite detailed blue dye illustrations. Back matter.
Off the Bench (Fred Bowen Sports Story series)
Fred Bowen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Kris wants to be a starting player like his older brother, but his new coach makes him his team's "sixth man." Can he still feel important?
Fred Bowen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Kris wants to be a starting player like his older brother, but his new coach makes him his team's "sixth man." Can he still feel important?
Oliver's Great Big Universe
Jorge Cham
Illustrator: Jorge Cham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Eleven-year-old Oliver, an aspiring astrophysicist, explains everything he learns about the whole universe. He's helped by inspiring scientist Dr. Howard. Greyscale cartoon-style illustrations.
Jorge Cham
Illustrator: Jorge Cham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Eleven-year-old Oliver, an aspiring astrophysicist, explains everything he learns about the whole universe. He's helped by inspiring scientist Dr. Howard. Greyscale cartoon-style illustrations.
One and Only Ruby, The (The One and Only series)
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ruby, a young elephant, worries about growing up with her adopted herd at a wildlife sanctuary. Greyscale spot illustrations. Glossary. Author's note.
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ruby, a young elephant, worries about growing up with her adopted herd at a wildlife sanctuary. Greyscale spot illustrations. Glossary. Author's note.
On the Tip of a Wave: How Ai Weiwei's Art Is Changing the Tide
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Cátia Chien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Using Ai's “Safe Passage” installation, consisting of thousands of refugees' striking neon orange cast-off lifejackets, the author conveys Ai's powerful humanitarian message of hope. Pencil and pastel illustrations. Back matter.
Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Cátia Chien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Using Ai's “Safe Passage” installation, consisting of thousands of refugees' striking neon orange cast-off lifejackets, the author conveys Ai's powerful humanitarian message of hope. Pencil and pastel illustrations. Back matter.
Parachute Kids
Betty C. Tang
Illustrator: Betty C. Tang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In 1981, ten-year-old Feng-Li and her family travel from Taiwan to California for a dream vacation. Her happiness evaporates when her parents reveal their plans. Bold-colored graphic illustrations.
Betty C. Tang
Illustrator: Betty C. Tang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In 1981, ten-year-old Feng-Li and her family travel from Taiwan to California for a dream vacation. Her happiness evaporates when her parents reveal their plans. Bold-colored graphic illustrations.
Piece by Piece: Ernestine's Gift for President Roosevelt
Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator: Anna López Real
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During the Great Depression, a Mexican American girl gratefully creates a special gift for the president, using wood from government food boxes. Based on a true story. Realistic color illustrations.
Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator: Anna López Real
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
During the Great Depression, a Mexican American girl gratefully creates a special gift for the president, using wood from government food boxes. Based on a true story. Realistic color illustrations.
Place Called America, A: A Story of the Land and People
Jennifer Thermes
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An account of the wide range of oppressions which contributed to the creation of our nation. Detailed watercolor art. Extensive time line and sourcing.
Jennifer Thermes
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An account of the wide range of oppressions which contributed to the creation of our nation. Detailed watercolor art. Extensive time line and sourcing.
Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth
L. E. Carmichael
Illustrator: Byron Eggenschwiler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
How do different animals survive at the poles under some of the harshest conditions on Earth? Detailed, realistic illustrations. Maps. Back matter.
L. E. Carmichael
Illustrator: Byron Eggenschwiler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
How do different animals survive at the poles under some of the harshest conditions on Earth? Detailed, realistic illustrations. Maps. Back matter.
Puppets of Spelhorst, The (Norendy Tales series)
Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Five puppets —a girl, a boy, a king, a wolf, and an owl— live their dreams in a play within the story. Atmospheric pencil illustrations.
Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Five puppets —a girl, a boy, a king, a wolf, and an owl— live their dreams in a play within the story. Atmospheric pencil illustrations.
Red Ear Blows Its Nose, The: Poems for Children and Others
Robert Schechter
Illustrator: S. Federico
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ninety-nine poems brimming with humor and insight muse about nature, the solar system, body parts, and self. Masterly rhyme and meter. Black-and-white line drawings.
Robert Schechter
Illustrator: S. Federico
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Ninety-nine poems brimming with humor and insight muse about nature, the solar system, body parts, and self. Masterly rhyme and meter. Black-and-white line drawings.
Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow, The
Elaine Dimopoulos
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Butternut, a rabbit, is supposed to stay close to home. Piper, a robin, persuades her to venture out to help a hurt fawn. Graphite and gouache illustrations.
Elaine Dimopoulos
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Butternut, a rabbit, is supposed to stay close to home. Piper, a robin, persuades her to venture out to help a hurt fawn. Graphite and gouache illustrations.
Restoring Prairie, Woods, and Pond: How a Small Trail Can Make a Big Difference (Books for a Better Earth series)
Laurie Lawlor
Illustrator: Laurie Lawlor and various other photographers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An elementary school and the surrounding community transform a parcel of land into a beloved resource and nature trail. Color and black-and-white photographs. Source notes and index.
Laurie Lawlor
Illustrator: Laurie Lawlor and various other photographers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An elementary school and the surrounding community transform a parcel of land into a beloved resource and nature trail. Color and black-and-white photographs. Source notes and index.
Salma Writes a Book (Salma series)
Danny Ramadan
Illustrator: Anna Bron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Syrian American Salma, excited to be a big sister, writes her own guidebook for siblings. Her uncle's visit with his husband challenges Salma's perception of her mother as being the best big sister. Greyscale illustrations.
Danny Ramadan
Illustrator: Anna Bron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Syrian American Salma, excited to be a big sister, writes her own guidebook for siblings. Her uncle's visit with his husband challenges Salma's perception of her mother as being the best big sister. Greyscale illustrations.
Santiago Saw Things Differently: Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Artist, Doctor, Father of Neuroscience
Christine Iverson
Illustrator: Luciano Lozano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
As a child, Cajal loved art. As a doctor, his way of seeing led him to discoveries about brain cells. His drawings are incorporated into the sepia-tinged illustrations. Back matter.
Christine Iverson
Illustrator: Luciano Lozano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
As a child, Cajal loved art. As a doctor, his way of seeing led him to discoveries about brain cells. His drawings are incorporated into the sepia-tinged illustrations. Back matter.
Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant
Trang Nguyễn and Jeet Zdũng
Illustrator: Jeet Zdũng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Chang and a team of conservationists rescue H'Non, an Asian elephant, and assist her in transitioning to life in a national park in Vietnam. Based on a true story. Detailed mixed-media and cartoon-style illustrations.
Trang Nguyễn and Jeet Zdũng
Illustrator: Jeet Zdũng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Chang and a team of conservationists rescue H'Non, an Asian elephant, and assist her in transitioning to life in a national park in Vietnam. Based on a true story. Detailed mixed-media and cartoon-style illustrations.
Saving Sunshine
Saadia Faruqi
Illustrator: Shazleen Khan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Twins Zara and Zeeshan fight about everything. Maybe a vacation in only each other's company—without their phones—can change that. Mixed-media illustrations.
Saadia Faruqi
Illustrator: Shazleen Khan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Twins Zara and Zeeshan fight about everything. Maybe a vacation in only each other's company—without their phones—can change that. Mixed-media illustrations.
Saving the Night: How Light Pollution Is Harming Life on Earth (Orca Footprints series)
Stephen Aitken
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Why is darkness critical for plants, animals, and humans? An introduction to the effects of light pollution. Includes suggestions for practical ways to protect the night sky. Photographs.
Stephen Aitken
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Why is darkness critical for plants, animals, and humans? An introduction to the effects of light pollution. Includes suggestions for practical ways to protect the night sky. Photographs.
Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path (Science Explorers series)
Amy Seto Forrester
Illustrator: Andy Chou Musser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An expedition into deep sea waters to research giant squids in their habitat has various outcomes depending on the reader's choices. Colorful, detailed panels.
Amy Seto Forrester
Illustrator: Andy Chou Musser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
An expedition into deep sea waters to research giant squids in their habitat has various outcomes depending on the reader's choices. Colorful, detailed panels.
Skull, The: A Tyrolean Folktale
Jon Klassen
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Haunting winter scenes accompany this strange and spooky tale about a bold girl who befriends and protects an unusual character. Graphite and ink illustrations.
Jon Klassen
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Haunting winter scenes accompany this strange and spooky tale about a bold girl who befriends and protects an unusual character. Graphite and ink illustrations.
Skyriders
Polly Holyoke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Thirteen-year-old junior courier Kie and her winged horse N'Rah reluctantly enter the fight to save the empire when the savage chimerae return to Prekalt.
Polly Holyoke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
Thirteen-year-old junior courier Kie and her winged horse N'Rah reluctantly enter the fight to save the empire when the savage chimerae return to Prekalt.
Small Shoes, Great Strides: How Three Brave Girls Opened Doors to School Equality
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Alex Bostic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In 1960 three Black six-year-olds braved vitriolic hostility as they broke barriers to racial segregation. Warm acrylic illustrations. Archival photos. Biographies, glossary, resources.
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: Alex Bostic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
In 1960 three Black six-year-olds braved vitriolic hostility as they broke barriers to racial segregation. Warm acrylic illustrations. Archival photos. Biographies, glossary, resources.
Squire & Knight
Scott Chantler
Illustrator: Scott Chantler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A blowhard knight and a cursed town are rescued by an undervalued, brainy squire and a misunderstood dragon. Meticulously detailed three-tone drawings.
Scott Chantler
Illustrator: Scott Chantler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A blowhard knight and a cursed town are rescued by an undervalued, brainy squire and a misunderstood dragon. Meticulously detailed three-tone drawings.
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport
Caren Stelson
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A mysterious British humanitarian rescued 669 Jewish Czech children at the beginning of World War II. Expressive acrylic paint, colored pencil, and collage illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Caren Stelson
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
A mysterious British humanitarian rescued 669 Jewish Czech children at the beginning of World War II. Expressive acrylic paint, colored pencil, and collage illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Stars, The
Jacques Goldstyn
Illustrator: Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
His Orthodox Jewish father disapproves of Yakov's friendship with Muslim Aïcha and of their dream of becoming astronauts. Do they persist? Humorous cartoon-style graphics and text.
Jacques Goldstyn
Illustrator: Jacques Goldstyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2023
His Orthodox Jewish father disapproves of Yakov's friendship with Muslim Aïcha and of their dream of becoming astronauts. Do they persist? Humorous cartoon-style graphics and text.