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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Makoons (The Birchbark House Series)
written and illustrated by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Makoons and his twin, Chickadee, learn about hunting buffalo themselves and survival as their family moves to the Great Plains of Dakota.
written and illustrated by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Makoons and his twin, Chickadee, learn about hunting buffalo themselves and survival as their family moves to the Great Plains of Dakota.
Manatee Rescue
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Growing up stalking prey on the river with her father, Manuela believes killing a manatee would be exciting, but instead.... Black-and-white illustrations.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Growing up stalking prey on the river with her father, Manuela believes killing a manatee would be exciting, but instead.... Black-and-white illustrations.
Mark of the Plague (Blackthorn Key series)
by Kevin Sands
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In the midst of a plague outbreak in 1665 London, apprentice apothecary Christopher, 13, finds himself caught in a dark conspiracy of false cures.
by Kevin Sands
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In the midst of a plague outbreak in 1665 London, apprentice apothecary Christopher, 13, finds himself caught in a dark conspiracy of false cures.
Masters of Disguise
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Scientists' experiments show how various animals use camouflage and mimicry by sound, scent and movement to outwit their predators. Detailed photographs, source notes, glossary and extensive bibliography.
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Scientists' experiments show how various animals use camouflage and mimicry by sound, scent and movement to outwit their predators. Detailed photographs, source notes, glossary and extensive bibliography.
Maybe a Fox
by Kathi Appelt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
A fox kit is born spiritually connected to a young girl, whose sister Sylvie has disappeared. Can the fox help Jules discover what happened?
by Kathi Appelt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
A fox kit is born spiritually connected to a young girl, whose sister Sylvie has disappeared. Can the fox help Jules discover what happened?
Ms. Bixby's Last Day
by John David Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Three oddball boys create a masterful plan to visit their beloved cancer-stricken teacher. In the process, each boy, with humor and dignity, overcomes personal obstacles.
by John David Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Three oddball boys create a masterful plan to visit their beloved cancer-stricken teacher. In the process, each boy, with humor and dignity, overcomes personal obstacles.
Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
by Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrator: JoAnn E. Kitchel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Nineteenth-century Russian composer Modest Mussirgsky turned his grief over a friend's death into a magnificent work for the piano. colorful folk-art-inspired illustrations.
by Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrator: JoAnn E. Kitchel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Nineteenth-century Russian composer Modest Mussirgsky turned his grief over a friend's death into a magnificent work for the piano. colorful folk-art-inspired illustrations.
My Name Is James Madison Hemings
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
The son of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings shares his life in servitude at Monticello. Haunting acrylics.
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
The son of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings shares his life in servitude at Monticello. Haunting acrylics.
Night Air
written and illustrated by Ben Sears
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
A mischievous, tech-savvy adventurer and his robot sidekick visit a haunted castle in search of treasure. Colorful, dynamic panels.
written and illustrated by Ben Sears
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
A mischievous, tech-savvy adventurer and his robot sidekick visit a haunted castle in search of treasure. Colorful, dynamic panels.
Nine, Ten
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Four children, whose lives are deeply affected in very different ways by the September 11th terrorist attacks, travel to Ground Zero on the first anniversary of the tragedy.
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Four children, whose lives are deeply affected in very different ways by the September 11th terrorist attacks, travel to Ground Zero on the first anniversary of the tragedy.
Not As We Know It
by Tom Avery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Twins Jamie and Ned, inseparable companions despite Ned's serious illness, find an unidentifiable sea creature. Why has it come?
by Tom Avery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Twins Jamie and Ned, inseparable companions despite Ned's serious illness, find an unidentifiable sea creature. Why has it come?
Nothing But Trouble
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Two new sixth grade friends in small-town Pennsylvania embark on a wildly inventive series of hacking pranks to liven up their school and change its social order.
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Two new sixth grade friends in small-town Pennsylvania embark on a wildly inventive series of hacking pranks to liven up their school and change its social order.
Oedipus, Trapped by Destiny
written and illustrated by Yvan Pommaux
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Ordipus is doomed to kill his father, marry his mother, and be cursed for the rest of his life. Graphic format with stylized illustrations.
written and illustrated by Yvan Pommaux
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Ordipus is doomed to kill his father, marry his mother, and be cursed for the rest of his life. Graphic format with stylized illustrations.
Ollie's Odyssey
written and illustrated by William Joyce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
An army of unloved toys abduct Billy's favorite toy, leading to an “A-venture” filled with heroic battles. Full-page golden-toned color illustrations.
written and illustrated by William Joyce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
An army of unloved toys abduct Billy's favorite toy, leading to an “A-venture” filled with heroic battles. Full-page golden-toned color illustrations.
One Half from the East
by Nadia Hashimi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
The youngest of four Afghani sisters, Obayda is chosen for to live as a boy to bring the family luck and enjoys the attendant privileges. But for how long?
by Nadia Hashimi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
The youngest of four Afghani sisters, Obayda is chosen for to live as a boy to bring the family luck and enjoys the attendant privileges. But for how long?
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
When his father decides to go off to war, Peter is forced to release his pet fox into the wild. Can they find each other again, or will Pax become another casualty of war? Occasional black-and-white illustrations.
by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
When his father decides to go off to war, Peter is forced to release his pet fox into the wild. Can they find each other again, or will Pax become another casualty of war? Occasional black-and-white illustrations.
Poop Detectives
by Ginger Wadsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Using their fine sense of smell, dogs are being trained for many important roles, including in the aid of animal conservation. Photographs and extensive back matter.
by Ginger Wadsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Using their fine sense of smell, dogs are being trained for many important roles, including in the aid of animal conservation. Photographs and extensive back matter.
Raymie Nightingale
by Kate DiCamillo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Raymie, ten, hopes her father will return to the family if she wins the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, resulting in unexpected friends and adventures.
by Kate DiCamillo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Raymie, ten, hopes her father will return to the family if she wins the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, resulting in unexpected friends and adventures.
Same but Different
by Holly Robinson Peete
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Teen-aged twins Ryan Elizabeth Peete and P.J. give a healing picture of living as autistic (P.J.) and having an autistic sibling (Ryan).
by Holly Robinson Peete
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Teen-aged twins Ryan Elizabeth Peete and P.J. give a healing picture of living as autistic (P.J.) and having an autistic sibling (Ryan).
Save Me a Seat
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
With warmth and humor, 5th graders Ravi, newly from India, and Joe, for whom “brain and noise” don't mix, confront a bully and find friendship.
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
With warmth and humor, 5th graders Ravi, newly from India, and Joe, for whom “brain and noise” don't mix, confront a bully and find friendship.
Science Stunts
by Jordan D. Brown
Illustrator: Anthony Owsley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Theories of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein help explain the science behind 25 magic tricks based on physics concepts such as magnetism, inertia, and motion. Cartoon-like illustrations.
by Jordan D. Brown
Illustrator: Anthony Owsley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Theories of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein help explain the science behind 25 magic tricks based on physics concepts such as magnetism, inertia, and motion. Cartoon-like illustrations.
Shakespeare Retold
by E. Nesbit
Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Sword fights, poisons, daggers, magic spells, and love pervade these seven dramatic tales. Dramatic full-page color illustrations. Rich backmatter.
by E. Nesbit
Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Sword fights, poisons, daggers, magic spells, and love pervade these seven dramatic tales. Dramatic full-page color illustrations. Rich backmatter.
Shigeru Mizuki's Kitaro: The Birth of Kitaro
written and illustrated by Shigeru Mizuki
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In this English translation of one of Japan's canonical comic books, Kitaro is a yōkai boy from another realm who combats ghosts and spirits. Pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Shigeru Mizuki
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In this English translation of one of Japan's canonical comic books, Kitaro is a yōkai boy from another realm who combats ghosts and spirits. Pen-and-ink illustrations.
Silo and the Rebel Raiders
by V. Peyton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Silo Zyca, 10, the last of his family, is a seer. Alternately praised and reviled, he joins the Rebel Raiders and saves the island.
by V. Peyton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
Silo Zyca, 10, the last of his family, is a seer. Alternately praised and reviled, he joins the Rebel Raiders and saves the island.
Skating with the Statue of Liberty
by Susan Lynn Meyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In 1942, 12-year-old Gustave and his Jewish French family seek refuge in America, where he becomes friends with African American Seppie and discovers that discrimination exists all over.
by Susan Lynn Meyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2016
In 1942, 12-year-old Gustave and his Jewish French family seek refuge in America, where he becomes friends with African American Seppie and discovers that discrimination exists all over.