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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Confessions of an Imaginary Friend
by Michelle Cuevas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
After discovering he is imaginary, Jacques asks to be released and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Michelle Cuevas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
After discovering he is imaginary, Jacques asks to be released and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
Counting Lions
by Katie Cotton
Illustrator: Stephen Walton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A non-traditional counting book that lyrically describes ten creatures of the wild, their behaviors, habitats, and endangered status. Realistically detailed charcoal illustrations.
by Katie Cotton
Illustrator: Stephen Walton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A non-traditional counting book that lyrically describes ten creatures of the wild, their behaviors, habitats, and endangered status. Realistically detailed charcoal illustrations.
Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When his family runs into money problems and faces homelessness, fifth-grader Jackson's old imaginary friend returns to help him through it--again.
by Katherine Applegate
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When his family runs into money problems and faces homelessness, fifth-grader Jackson's old imaginary friend returns to help him through it--again.
Curious Critters
written and photographed by David FitzSimmons
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Twenty North American ocean inhabitants share their unique stories. Breathtaking photographs. Backmatter.
written and photographed by David FitzSimmons
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Twenty North American ocean inhabitants share their unique stories. Breathtaking photographs. Backmatter.
Currents
by Jane Petrlik Smolik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A message put in a bottle by an eleven-year-old slave in Virginia reaches two other young girls and transforms their lives.
by Jane Petrlik Smolik
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A message put in a bottle by an eleven-year-old slave in Virginia reaches two other young girls and transforms their lives.
Diary of a Mad Brownie (The Enchanted Files series)
by Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Paul Kidby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Angus, a brownie, and eleven-year-old Alex embark on an adventure in the Enchanted Realm to break her family's curse. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
by Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Paul Kidby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Angus, a brownie, and eleven-year-old Alex embark on an adventure in the Enchanted Realm to break her family's curse. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Dreams of Freedom
by Anatole France, et al
Illustrator: Shirin Adi, et al
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
The words of Harriet Tubman, Malala Yousafzai, and other activists and writers express the many freedoms that all people have the right to enjoy. Powerful color illustrations by numerous artists.
by Anatole France, et al
Illustrator: Shirin Adi, et al
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
The words of Harriet Tubman, Malala Yousafzai, and other activists and writers express the many freedoms that all people have the right to enjoy. Powerful color illustrations by numerous artists.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings, a Memoir
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A young girl reflects on her love of her Cuban family and heritage as the rest of America fears an atomic war.
by Margarita Engle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A young girl reflects on her love of her Cuban family and heritage as the rest of America fears an atomic war.
Enormous Smallness
by Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
From early childhood, Cummings wove words and imagination into poetry. Textured illustrations perfectly picture his life. Back matter includes a chronology, four poems and an author's note.
by Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
From early childhood, Cummings wove words and imagination into poetry. Textured illustrations perfectly picture his life. Back matter includes a chronology, four poems and an author's note.
Finders Keepers
by Shelley Tougas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Can Al Capone's loot save Christa's summer cabin after her father loses his job? She and new friend Alex are detectives with pluck and wit.
by Shelley Tougas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Can Al Capone's loot save Christa's summer cabin after her father loses his job? She and new friend Alex are detectives with pluck and wit.
Finding Someplace
by Denise Lewis Patrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina, a young teen experiences challenges in her community, her family, and her life.
by Denise Lewis Patrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina, a young teen experiences challenges in her community, her family, and her life.
Footer Davis Probably is Crazy
by Susan Vaught
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A mixture of mystery and family realism, this story turns in various directions. Which is the right one? [note: left words out - can't read or make sense of blurb]
by Susan Vaught
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A mixture of mystery and family realism, this story turns in various directions. Which is the right one? [note: left words out - can't read or make sense of blurb]
Fort
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
ARC Two eleven-year-olds spend the summer building a fort, confronting two bullies, and befriending a handicapped boy. it was their very best summer.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
ARC Two eleven-year-olds spend the summer building a fort, confronting two bullies, and befriending a handicapped boy. it was their very best summer.
Full Cicada Moon
by Marilyn Hilton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In 1969, Mimi moves to Vermont with her Japanese mother and black father. Mimi loves the space program, follows her heart and stands up for her beliefs. Told in free verse.
by Marilyn Hilton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In 1969, Mimi moves to Vermont with her Japanese mother and black father. Mimi loves the space program, follows her heart and stands up for her beliefs. Told in free verse.
Fur, Fins, and Feathers
written and illustrated by Cassandre Maxwell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
annotation to come
written and illustrated by Cassandre Maxwell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
annotation to come
Fuzzy Mud
by Louis Sachar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Taking a shortcut to avoid a bully, two middle-schoolers uncover the threat of an eco-disaster.
by Louis Sachar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Taking a shortcut to avoid a bully, two middle-schoolers uncover the threat of an eco-disaster.
Game Seven
by Paul Volponi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Will the defection from Cuba of his father, an ace pitcher, damage 16-year-old Julio's chance to play for Cuba's national team?
by Paul Volponi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Will the defection from Cuba of his father, an ace pitcher, damage 16-year-old Julio's chance to play for Cuba's national team?
Genuine Sweet
by Faith Harkey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A twelve-year-old uses her magic to empower others to create positive changes in their communities and then in her own life.
by Faith Harkey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A twelve-year-old uses her magic to empower others to create positive changes in their communities and then in her own life.
George
by Alex Gino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
George knows she is a girl trapped in a boy's body. If she can be Charlotte in the school play, maybe Mom will understand.
by Alex Gino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
George knows she is a girl trapped in a boy's body. If she can be Charlotte in the school play, maybe Mom will understand.
Gone Crazy in Alabama
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Three Brooklyn sisters spend the summer of 1969 with kinfolk in Alabama discovering their complicated family and facing the aftermath of a dangerous tornado.
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Three Brooklyn sisters spend the summer of 1969 with kinfolk in Alabama discovering their complicated family and facing the aftermath of a dangerous tornado.
Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A stouthearted dog, a funny, generous bat, a motherly squirrel, and a wise hermit crab come to the rescue during a terrible drought. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations.
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A stouthearted dog, a funny, generous bat, a motherly squirrel, and a wise hermit crab come to the rescue during a terrible drought. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations.
Granddaddy's Turn
by Michael S. Bandy
Illustrator: James E Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A grandson recalls the day his grandfather tried to vote for the first time in the segregated South. Expressive watercolors,
by Michael S. Bandy
Illustrator: James E Ransome
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
A grandson recalls the day his grandfather tried to vote for the first time in the segregated South. Expressive watercolors,
Growing Up Pedro
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Pedro Martinez worships his older brother, Ramon, and follows him to an extraordinary baseball career. Colorful gouache illustrations. (Also available in Spanish)
written and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Pedro Martinez worships his older brother, Ramon, and follows him to an extraordinary baseball career. Colorful gouache illustrations. (Also available in Spanish)
Half a Man
by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Gemma OCallaghan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Michael, twelve, learns how his grandfather was disfigured in the war and about the lonely, isolated life he led afterwards. Muted ink and screen printed illustrations.
by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Gemma OCallaghan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Michael, twelve, learns how his grandfather was disfigured in the war and about the lonely, isolated life he led afterwards. Muted ink and screen printed illustrations.
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
written and illustrated by Ursula Vernon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
An evil fairy places a curse on Harriet. She is to fall into a death-like sleep at the age of 12. Until then, she thinks she is invincible. Graphic novel style illustrations.
written and illustrated by Ursula Vernon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
An evil fairy places a curse on Harriet. She is to fall into a death-like sleep at the age of 12. Until then, she thinks she is invincible. Graphic novel style illustrations.