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 Badger Knight
by Kathryn Erskine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In England in 1346, small, sickly twelve-year-old Adrian follows his best friend to war against the Scots and proves his courage, wisdom, and loyalty.
by Kathryn Erskine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In England in 1346, small, sickly twelve-year-old Adrian follows his best friend to war against the Scots and proves his courage, wisdom, and loyalty.
The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond
by Brenda Woods
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Eleven-year-old Violet is biracial but has never met her African American family. When she gets to know them, will she finally feel complete?
by Brenda Woods
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Eleven-year-old Violet is biracial but has never met her African American family. When she gets to know them, will she finally feel complete?
The Book of Secrets (Mister Max series)
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Max, the Solutioneer, continues to use his theater background to solve mysteries while also trying to reunite with his missing parents. Illustrated with line drawings.
by Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Max, the Solutioneer, continues to use his theater background to solve mysteries while also trying to reunite with his missing parents. Illustrated with line drawings.
The Boundless
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Murder, theft, Sasquatch, and traveling circus are a part of Will's steampunk adventure on an epic train. Black-and-white sketches suggest clues.
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Murder, theft, Sasquatch, and traveling circus are a part of Will's steampunk adventure on an epic train. Black-and-white sketches suggest clues.
The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Before it is too late, scientists must find out what is killing little brown bats, which are essential in keeping insects under control. Color photographs.
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Before it is too late, scientists must find out what is killing little brown bats, which are essential in keeping insects under control. Color photographs.
The Cat at the Wall
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
After dying in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, thirteen-year-old Clare is transformed into a cat in Bethlehem on the West Bank, where events between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians oddly mirror her former life.
by Deborah Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
After dying in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, thirteen-year-old Clare is transformed into a cat in Bethlehem on the West Bank, where events between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians oddly mirror her former life.
The Children of the King
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Evacuated to the countryside in World War II, twelve-year-old Cecily and ten-year-old May meet two mysterious boys in a ruined castle who seem to be from another time.
by Sonya Hartnett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Evacuated to the countryside in World War II, twelve-year-old Cecily and ten-year-old May meet two mysterious boys in a ruined castle who seem to be from another time.
The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In rhythmic free verse, twelve-year-old Josh Bell describes life with his twin, Jordan, on and off the basketball court. When Jordan starts dating and Dad's health deteriorates, Josh has to figure out his priorities.
by Kwame Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In rhythmic free verse, twelve-year-old Josh Bell describes life with his twin, Jordan, on and off the basketball court. When Jordan starts dating and Dad's health deteriorates, Josh has to figure out his priorities.
The Dumbest Idea Ever!
written and illustrated by Jimmy Gownley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When chicken pox and pneumonia cost 13-year-old Jimmy his top-of-the-class standing and basketball stardom, he finds his comeback in comic book creation. Dramatic graphics by the author.
written and illustrated by Jimmy Gownley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When chicken pox and pneumonia cost 13-year-old Jimmy his top-of-the-class standing and basketball stardom, he finds his comeback in comic book creation. Dramatic graphics by the author.
The Escape (Horses of the Dawn series)
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Born in the hold of a ship sailing to the New World, the foal Estrella becomes the leader of a small group of horses determined to escape their captors and survive.
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Born in the hold of a ship sailing to the New World, the foal Estrella becomes the leader of a small group of horses determined to escape their captors and survive.
The Fourteenth Goldfish
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Tad Carpenter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When a strange boy shows up at her house and turns out to be her grandfather, eleven-year-old Ellie's life changes and her interest in science grows. Cheerful black-and-white illustrations of goldfish.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrator: Tad Carpenter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When a strange boy shows up at her house and turns out to be her grandfather, eleven-year-old Ellie's life changes and her interest in science grows. Cheerful black-and-white illustrations of goldfish.
The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing
by Sheila Turnage
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Mo and Dale of the Desperado Detective Agency must interview a ghost or flunk history. Do they have a ghost of a chance?
by Sheila Turnage
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Mo and Dale of the Desperado Detective Agency must interview a ghost or flunk history. Do they have a ghost of a chance?
The Great Greene Heist
by Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Jackson Greene has given up scheming. But when his friend Gaby's run for school president is in jeopardy, Jackson and his team deliver.
by Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Jackson Greene has given up scheming. But when his friend Gaby's run for school president is in jeopardy, Jackson and his team deliver.
The History of Money
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The development of money from pre-historic times to the present is described in a clear and amusingly straightforward way. Humorous watercolors.
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The development of money from pre-historic times to the present is described in a clear and amusingly straightforward way. Humorous watercolors.
The Islands of Chaldea
by Diana Wynne Jones
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Aileen's talent as a magic maker blossoms as she accompanies her powerful Aunt Beck on a mission for the King.
by Diana Wynne Jones
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Twelve-year-old Aileen's talent as a magic maker blossoms as she accompanies her powerful Aunt Beck on a mission for the King.
The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In this series-concluding story, a stronger and more confident Joey gets help from an old friend as he copes with a very difficult family situation.
by Jack Gantos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In this series-concluding story, a stronger and more confident Joey gets help from an old friend as he copes with a very difficult family situation.
The Lion Who Stole My Arm
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Pedro loses one arm in a lion attack, but learns to compensate and coexist with animals around his village. Although the exact location is not specified, the story is based on a real East African conservation project. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Pedro loses one arm in a lion attack, but learns to compensate and coexist with animals around his village. Although the exact location is not specified, the story is based on a real East African conservation project. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Loch Ness Monster
by Jean Flitcroft
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
On a family trip to Scotland's Loch Ness, Vanessa encounters Nessie resulting in a fantastical and healing journey.
by Jean Flitcroft
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
On a family trip to Scotland's Loch Ness, Vanessa encounters Nessie resulting in a fantastical and healing journey.
The Magician of Auschwitz
by Kathy Kacer
Illustrator: Gillian Newland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When young Werner arrives in Auschwitz, his bunkmate teaches him magic to help him survive. Years later, Werner learns the true identity of the man. Dark, foreboding watercolors.
by Kathy Kacer
Illustrator: Gillian Newland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When young Werner arrives in Auschwitz, his bunkmate teaches him magic to help him survive. Years later, Werner learns the true identity of the man. Dark, foreboding watercolors.
The Meaning of Maggie
by Megan Jean Sovern
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
With humor, insight, and a distinctive voice, Maggie narrates the changes in herself and her family as they cope with her father's illness.
by Megan Jean Sovern
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
With humor, insight, and a distinctive voice, Maggie narrates the changes in herself and her family as they cope with her father's illness.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher
by Dana Alison Levy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The Fletchers--two dads, four ethnically diverse adopted sons, one invisible cheetah--face the challenges and rewards of school and life with a grouchy new neighbor.
by Dana Alison Levy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The Fletchers--two dads, four ethnically diverse adopted sons, one invisible cheetah--face the challenges and rewards of school and life with a grouchy new neighbor.
The Next Wave
by Elizabeth Rusch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The power created by ocean waves offers a source of clean energy. Join the scientists working in the field to make this happen. Glossary, photographs, notes, and sources.
by Elizabeth Rusch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The power created by ocean waves offers a source of clean energy. Join the scientists working in the field to make this happen. Glossary, photographs, notes, and sources.
The Night Gardener
by Jonathan Auxier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Siblings Molly and Kip were warned about the isolated manor where they work and the “sour woods” around it. Could the legend of the Night Gardener be true?
by Jonathan Auxier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Siblings Molly and Kip were warned about the isolated manor where they work and the “sour woods” around it. Could the legend of the Night Gardener be true?
The Orphan and the Mouse
by Martha Freeman
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Eleven-year-old Caro befriends mice, discovers a criminal element, and locates an infant sold by the head of the Cherry Street Orphanage. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Martha Freeman
Illustrator: David McPhail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Eleven-year-old Caro befriends mice, discovers a criminal element, and locates an infant sold by the head of the Cherry Street Orphanage. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
The Perfect Place
by Teresa E. Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When twelve-year-old Treasure and her sister are relocated to great-aunt Grace's home in Virginia, Treasure redefines her ideas of family and perfection.
by Teresa E. Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When twelve-year-old Treasure and her sister are relocated to great-aunt Grace's home in Virginia, Treasure redefines her ideas of family and perfection.