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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The Ghastly McNastys
by Lyn Gardner
Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Can best friends Tat and Hetty outwit ruthless, repulsive pirates and find the buried treasure? Grossly funny black-and-white illustrations.
by Lyn Gardner
Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Can best friends Tat and Hetty outwit ruthless, repulsive pirates and find the buried treasure? Grossly funny black-and-white illustrations.
The Girl with the Glass Bird
by Esme Kerr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Planted in a boarding school as a spy, Edie must unravel the mystery of threats against a wealthy classmate, daughter of a Russian prince.
by Esme Kerr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Planted in a boarding school as a spy, Edie must unravel the mystery of threats against a wealthy classmate, daughter of a Russian prince.
The Great Monkey Rescue
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Scientists use unique strategies to save Brazil's Golden Lion Tamarin monkeys from the brink of extinction. Gorgeous color photos.
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Scientists use unique strategies to save Brazil's Golden Lion Tamarin monkeys from the brink of extinction. Gorgeous color photos.
The House that Jane Built
by Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrator: Kathryn Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Opened in Chicago by Jane Addams in 1889, Hull House grew by 1907 to a thirteen-building complex providing services and opportunities to poor immigrant families. Gentle watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations. Bibliography and author's note.
by Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrator: Kathryn Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Opened in Chicago by Jane Addams in 1889, Hull House grew by 1907 to a thirteen-building complex providing services and opportunities to poor immigrant families. Gentle watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations. Bibliography and author's note.
The Iliad
by Homer
Illustrator: Neil Packer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
After Paris abducts Menelaus's wife, Helen, the Greeks and Trojans battle for ten years, each aided by the gods and goddesses. Striking mixed-media illustrations.
by Homer
Illustrator: Neil Packer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
After Paris abducts Menelaus's wife, Helen, the Greeks and Trojans battle for ten years, each aided by the gods and goddesses. Striking mixed-media illustrations.
The Imaginary
by A.F. Harrold
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Rudger likes being Amanda's imaginary friend. When she begins to forget him, he is determined not to fade away. Whimsical illustrations.
by A.F. Harrold
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Rudger likes being Amanda's imaginary friend. When she begins to forget him, he is determined not to fade away. Whimsical illustrations.
The Impossible Voyage of Kon-Tiki
written and illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In 1947 Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl set out to prove, by replicating their journey, that the Incans had voyaged by raft to the South Pacific islands. Dramatic watercolors.
written and illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In 1947 Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl set out to prove, by replicating their journey, that the Incans had voyaged by raft to the South Pacific islands. Dramatic watercolors.
The Inker's Shadow
written and illustrated by Allen Say
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Overcoming indifference and hostility, and reaping the benefits of unexpected kindness, a boy who loves to draw becomes a professional artist. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Allen Say
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Overcoming indifference and hostility, and reaping the benefits of unexpected kindness, a boy who loves to draw becomes a professional artist. Ink and watercolor illustrations.
The Jumbies
by Tracey Baptiste
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When a strange woman puts her father under an evil spell, Corinne, 11, finds a way to stop her from taking over their Caribbean island home.
by Tracey Baptiste
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When a strange woman puts her father under an evil spell, Corinne, 11, finds a way to stop her from taking over their Caribbean island home.
The Kids' Book of Simple Machines
by Kelly Doudna
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Use everyday items to learn about and build simple machines. Activities have step-by-step instructions. Concepts are well-illustrated with photographs.
by Kelly Doudna
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Use everyday items to learn about and build simple machines. Activities have step-by-step instructions. Concepts are well-illustrated with photographs.
The Maine Coon's Haiku and Other Poems for Cat Lovers
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Lee White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Haiku and digitally created illustrations reveal the unique characteristics of twenty breeds of cats. Notes add history and facts about each.
by Michael J. Rosen
Illustrator: Lee White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Haiku and digitally created illustrations reveal the unique characteristics of twenty breeds of cats. Notes add history and facts about each.
The Nest
by Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Steve has nightmares about a swarm of wasps as he worries about his ill baby brother. Can he help? Graphite illustrations.
by Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Steve has nightmares about a swarm of wasps as he worries about his ill baby brother. Can he help? Graphite illustrations.
The Nitty-Gritty Gardening Book
by Kari Cornell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Learn all about gardening -- what you need, when to do what, and how to do it all. Descriptive photographs.
by Kari Cornell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Learn all about gardening -- what you need, when to do what, and how to do it all. Descriptive photographs.
The Octopus Scientists (Scientists in the Field series)
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Researchers on the island of Moorea near Tahiti search for the elusive octopus and uncover some of its fascinating secrets. Color photographs fill the pages. Index, bibliography.
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Researchers on the island of Moorea near Tahiti search for the elusive octopus and uncover some of its fascinating secrets. Color photographs fill the pages. Index, bibliography.
Theoretical Physicist Brian Greene (STEM Trailblazer Bios)
by Matt Doeden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
List with Aerospace Engineer Aprille Ericsson (STEM Trailblazer Bios)
by Matt Doeden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
List with Aerospace Engineer Aprille Ericsson (STEM Trailblazer Bios)
The Penderwicks In Spring
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Part of a family with secrets, talents and a variety of relationships, Batty reachers her eleventh birthday and learns to accept herself.
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Part of a family with secrets, talents and a variety of relationships, Batty reachers her eleventh birthday and learns to accept herself.
The Poe Estate
by Polly Shulman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When Sukie and her parents go to live with Cousin Hepzibah in the haunted Thorne Mansion, she meets an array of odd characters.
by Polly Shulman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
When Sukie and her parents go to live with Cousin Hepzibah in the haunted Thorne Mansion, she meets an array of odd characters.
The Queen's Shadow
written and illustrated by Cybèle Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
The science of animal eyesight is woven into a clever whodunit involving a haughty queen. Scientific notes. Digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations.
written and illustrated by Cybèle Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
The science of animal eyesight is woven into a clever whodunit involving a haughty queen. Scientific notes. Digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations.
The Rain Wizard
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In the early 1900s in San Diego, Charles Mallory Hatfield promises to bring rain to the crippled area. Notes, bibliography, archival photographs.
by Larry Dane Brimner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
In the early 1900s in San Diego, Charles Mallory Hatfield promises to bring rain to the crippled area. Notes, bibliography, archival photographs.
The Red Bicycle
by Jude Isabella
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
An engaging global story of sharing that raises awareness of our actions in the world. Supportive back matter and playful illustrations.
by Jude Isabella
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
An engaging global story of sharing that raises awareness of our actions in the world. Supportive back matter and playful illustrations.
The Safest Lie
by Angela Cerrito
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
During World War II, nine-year-old Anna's life changes completely. She has a new non-Jewish identity, is sent out of the Warsaw ghetto, first to a Catholic orphanage and then to a foster home.
by Angela Cerrito
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
During World War II, nine-year-old Anna's life changes completely. She has a new non-Jewish identity, is sent out of the Warsaw ghetto, first to a Catholic orphanage and then to a foster home.
The Sign of the Cat
written and illustrated by Lynne Jonell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
With the help of cats and a tiger, Duncan discovers his true identity. Well-drawn characters, vivid detailed settings, and finely detailed spot illustrations.
written and illustrated by Lynne Jonell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
With the help of cats and a tiger, Duncan discovers his true identity. Well-drawn characters, vivid detailed settings, and finely detailed spot illustrations.
The Story of Life
by Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Amy Husband
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
From the hot noisy world of volcanoes four billion years ago to the furry animals that became humans, evolution is explained in a clear simple text with helpful illustrations.
by Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Amy Husband
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
From the hot noisy world of volcanoes four billion years ago to the furry animals that became humans, evolution is explained in a clear simple text with helpful illustrations.
The Terrible Two
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Miles' ambition to become premier prankster at his new school faces stiff competition from a surprising source. Black-and-white drawings.
by Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Miles' ambition to become premier prankster at his new school faces stiff competition from a surprising source. Black-and-white drawings.
The Thing about Jellyfish
by Ali Benjamin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Suzy, 12, sets out to meet a jellyfish expert in Australia to prove that a jellyfish sting caused her best friend's drowning.
by Ali Benjamin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2015
Suzy, 12, sets out to meet a jellyfish expert in Australia to prove that a jellyfish sting caused her best friend's drowning.