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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A Taste of Freedom
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
A young boy joins Gandhi on a march for freedom. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
A young boy joins Gandhi on a march for freedom. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations.
At Home in Her Tomb
by Christine Liu-Perkins
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The discovery of the tomb of a well-preserved noblewoman of the Han Dynasty reveals the era's customs, daily life and treasures. Delicate watercolor illustrations; maps and photographs.
by Christine Liu-Perkins
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The discovery of the tomb of a well-preserved noblewoman of the Han Dynasty reveals the era's customs, daily life and treasures. Delicate watercolor illustrations; maps and photographs.
Aviary Wonders Inc.
written and illustrated by Kate Samworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As the real birds are becoming extinct, this futuristic catalog would allow the reader to design, order, and build artificial ones. A cautionary fable with detailed oil illustrations.
written and illustrated by Kate Samworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As the real birds are becoming extinct, this futuristic catalog would allow the reader to design, order, and build artificial ones. A cautionary fable with detailed oil illustrations.
Backwards Moon
by Mary Losure
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Two cousin witchlings, Nettie and Bracken, with the help of a couple of human “Witch Friends” and a raccoon, manage to save their coven from human invasion.
by Mary Losure
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Two cousin witchlings, Nettie and Bracken, with the help of a couple of human “Witch Friends” and a raccoon, manage to save their coven from human invasion.
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Through a series of poems, the author Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of growing up in Ohio, South Carolina, and New York during the turbulent Civil Rights era, and of becoming a writer.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Through a series of poems, the author Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of growing up in Ohio, South Carolina, and New York during the turbulent Civil Rights era, and of becoming a writer.
Cast Away On the Letter A
written and illustrated by Fred
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When teenager Philemon falls down a well into a parallel world of islands, he and a new companion must find their way home. Classic comic book illustrations.
written and illustrated by Fred
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When teenager Philemon falls down a well into a parallel world of islands, he and a new companion must find their way home. Classic comic book illustrations.
Cat Champions
by Rob Laidlaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Young people find humane ways to care for lost, abandoned, and neglected cats. Color photographs, resources, glossary, and links.
by Rob Laidlaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Young people find humane ways to care for lost, abandoned, and neglected cats. Color photographs, resources, glossary, and links.
Centaur Rising
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Born the year after a shooting star appears to have landed on their horse farm, a baby centaur affects Arianne's troubled family in surprising ways.
by Jane Yolen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Born the year after a shooting star appears to have landed on their horse farm, a baby centaur affects Arianne's troubled family in surprising ways.
Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Making Money
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: J. P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When his weekly allowance isn't enough Charlie invents some dubious ways to make money. Black-and-white drawings.
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: J. P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When his weekly allowance isn't enough Charlie invents some dubious ways to make money. Black-and-white drawings.
Circa Now
by Amber McRee Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When eleven-year-old Circa's photographer father dies she copes with her grief by imagining that his photographs are magical. Illustrated with several intriguing photographs.
by Amber McRee Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When eleven-year-old Circa's photographer father dies she copes with her grief by imagining that his photographs are magical. Illustrated with several intriguing photographs.
Dangerous Deception
by Peg Kehret
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Sixth grader Emmy's admirable determination to help a needy family gets her in trouble.
by Peg Kehret
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Sixth grader Emmy's admirable determination to help a needy family gets her in trouble.
Dare the Wind
by Tracey Fern
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In 1851 Eleanor Prentiss navigated a clipper ship from New York City to San Francisco in record time, reading the sea and daring the wind. Watercolor illustrations. Maps and glossary.
by Tracey Fern
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In 1851 Eleanor Prentiss navigated a clipper ship from New York City to San Francisco in record time, reading the sea and daring the wind. Watercolor illustrations. Maps and glossary.
Dash
by Kirby Larson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When eleven-year-old Mitsi is sent to a Japanese Internment Camp in 1942, she must leave her beloved dog, Dash, with a kind neighbor.
by Kirby Larson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When eleven-year-old Mitsi is sent to a Japanese Internment Camp in 1942, she must leave her beloved dog, Dash, with a kind neighbor.
Dirk Daring, Secret Agent
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Jenn Playford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Dirk Daring masquerades by day as nerdy fifth-grader Darren Dirkowitz. Dirk uses his stealthy spying skills in his greatest mission yet.
by Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Jenn Playford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Dirk Daring masquerades by day as nerdy fifth-grader Darren Dirkowitz. Dirk uses his stealthy spying skills in his greatest mission yet.
Dreamwood
by Heather Mackey
Illustrator: Teagan White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Lucy Darrington and her friend Pete search for her missing “ghostologist” father in the Pacific Northwest, hoping as well to find the powerful “Dreamwood” tree. Beautifully detailed black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Heather Mackey
Illustrator: Teagan White
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Lucy Darrington and her friend Pete search for her missing “ghostologist” father in the Pacific Northwest, hoping as well to find the powerful “Dreamwood” tree. Beautifully detailed black-and-white spot illustrations.
Eddie Red Undercover
by Marcia Wells
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Because sixth grader Edmund has a photographic memory and excellent drawing skills, the NYPD enlists him to help capture an art thief. Digital illustrations.
by Marcia Wells
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Because sixth grader Edmund has a photographic memory and excellent drawing skills, the NYPD enlists him to help capture an art thief. Digital illustrations.
Edward Hopper Paints His World
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC This biography of the painter references the artistic influences on his work and the psychology that shaped his artistic vision.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC This biography of the painter references the artistic influences on his work and the psychology that shaped his artistic vision.
Fleabrain Loves Franny
by Joanne Rocklin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC In 1952, as Franny slowly recovers from polio, she is befriended by a brilliant, erudite flea with superpowers who takes her on amazing adventures.
by Joanne Rocklin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC In 1952, as Franny slowly recovers from polio, she is befriended by a brilliant, erudite flea with superpowers who takes her on amazing adventures.
Fractions In Disguise
by Edward Einhorn
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Mr. Factor, who loves fractions, goes on an exciting adventure to gain a prized possession. Humorous ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Edward Einhorn
Illustrator: David Clark
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Mr. Factor, who loves fractions, goes on an exciting adventure to gain a prized possession. Humorous ink and watercolor illustrations.
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC Frank is confident that he'll win the $100,000 science prize and save his Grampa Al's repair shop--but his rival, Edison, has a devious scheme to thwart him. Bold, detailed two-color illustrations.
by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Brian Biggs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
ARC Frank is confident that he'll win the $100,000 science prize and save his Grampa Al's repair shop--but his rival, Edison, has a devious scheme to thwart him. Bold, detailed two-color illustrations.
Frostborn
by Lou Anders
Illustrator: Justin Gerard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When twelve-year-old Karn meets Thianna, half giantess and half human, their special talents shape their destiny. Elegant black-and-white spot art.
by Lou Anders
Illustrator: Justin Gerard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When twelve-year-old Karn meets Thianna, half giantess and half human, their special talents shape their destiny. Elegant black-and-white spot art.
Gabriel Finley & the Raven's Riddle
by George Hagen
Illustrator: Scott Bakal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As evil ravens seek to conquer the world, an eleven-year-old boy searches for his missing father. Will his talent for answering riddles empower him to succeed? Stark black-and-white illustrations.
by George Hagen
Illustrator: Scott Bakal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As evil ravens seek to conquer the world, an eleven-year-old boy searches for his missing father. Will his talent for answering riddles empower him to succeed? Stark black-and-white illustrations.
Go: A Kid's Guide to Graphic Design
written and illustrated by Chip Kidd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Career designer Chip Kidd demonstrates how to think critically through a highly visual approach to history and design decisions. Photographs and superb layout.
written and illustrated by Chip Kidd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Career designer Chip Kidd demonstrates how to think critically through a highly visual approach to history and design decisions. Photographs and superb layout.
Gracefully Grayson
by Ami Polonsky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When Grayson, a transgender twelve-year-old, gets the female lead in a school play, she finds support as well as opposition and bullying.
by Ami Polonsky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When Grayson, a transgender twelve-year-old, gets the female lead in a school play, she finds support as well as opposition and bullying.
Grandfather Gandhi
by Arun Gandhi
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When Arun is pushed playing soccer, he's filled with anger. Grandfather teaches him to live his life as a light. Mixed-media illustrations.
by Arun Gandhi
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When Arun is pushed playing soccer, he's filled with anger. Grandfather teaches him to live his life as a light. Mixed-media illustrations.