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 Red Pencil
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Shane Evans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Traumatized after seeing her Sudanese village destroyed and her father killed, twelve-year-old Amira must learn again to express herself. Free verse with simple pencil drawings.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Shane Evans
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Traumatized after seeing her Sudanese village destroyed and her father killed, twelve-year-old Amira must learn again to express herself. Free verse with simple pencil drawings.
The Right Word
by Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Paul Roget loved making lists of the right words to express something. Eventually, his lists grew into a book called a thesaurus. Watercolor illustrations combined with vintage images throughout.
by Jen Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Paul Roget loved making lists of the right words to express something. Eventually, his lists grew into a book called a thesaurus. Watercolor illustrations combined with vintage images throughout.
The Secret Hum of a Daisy
by Tracy Holczer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
After her mother dies, twelve-year-old Grace must live with the grandmother she doesn't know or trust and resents for a life-altering decision made years ago. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
by Tracy Holczer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
After her mother dies, twelve-year-old Grace must live with the grandmother she doesn't know or trust and resents for a life-altering decision made years ago. Black-and-white spot illustrations.
The Secrets of Eastcliff-by-the-Sea
by Eileen Beha
Illustrator: Sarah Jane Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Why did Annaliese's mother leave when she was a baby, and will Annaliese ever see her again? Throckmorton Sock Monkey tells the tale. Intermittent black-and-white drawings.
by Eileen Beha
Illustrator: Sarah Jane Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Why did Annaliese's mother leave when she was a baby, and will Annaliese ever see her again? Throckmorton Sock Monkey tells the tale. Intermittent black-and-white drawings.
Theseus and the Minotaur
written and illustrated by Yvan Pommaux
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In the full-color pencil and ink illustrations of this graphic novel, Athenians are sacrificed every year to the half-bull, half-human Minotaur in his maze in Minos. Can Theseus end the sacrifices by destroying the creature?
written and illustrated by Yvan Pommaux
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In the full-color pencil and ink illustrations of this graphic novel, Athenians are sacrificed every year to the half-bull, half-human Minotaur in his maze in Minos. Can Theseus end the sacrifices by destroying the creature?
The Streak
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
At a time when the nation was looking for heroes, “Joltin' Joe” stepped up to the plate--and made a hit a record-breaking fifty-six times in a row. Lush acrylic paintings.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
At a time when the nation was looking for heroes, “Joltin' Joe” stepped up to the plate--and made a hit a record-breaking fifty-six times in a row. Lush acrylic paintings.
The Thickety
by J. A. White
Illustrator: Andrea Offermann
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Years after her mother was executed for witchcraft, Kara must care for her brother and overcome the grimoire that awakens her own magical abilities. Black-and-white illustrations.
by J. A. White
Illustrator: Andrea Offermann
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Years after her mother was executed for witchcraft, Kara must care for her brother and overcome the grimoire that awakens her own magical abilities. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Time of the Fireflies
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When fireflies transport twelve-year-old Larissa to her family's tormented past in Louisiana's bayou, she heals their age old conflicts.
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When fireflies transport twelve-year-old Larissa to her family's tormented past in Louisiana's bayou, she heals their age old conflicts.
The Turtle of Oman
by Naomi Shihab Nye
Illustrator: Betsy Peterschmidt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Preparing to move from Oman to Michigan, Aref must find a way to say goodbye to all he loves there, especially his beloved grandfather.
by Naomi Shihab Nye
Illustrator: Betsy Peterschmidt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Preparing to move from Oman to Michigan, Aref must find a way to say goodbye to all he loves there, especially his beloved grandfather.
The White House Is Burning
by Jane Sutcliffe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The infamous day in August, 1814, when the British burned most of Washington, D.C., had profound repercussions. Careful research and annotations with archival illustrations.
by Jane Sutcliffe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
The infamous day in August, 1814, when the British burned most of Washington, D.C., had profound repercussions. Careful research and annotations with archival illustrations.
The Witch's Boy
by Kelly Barnhill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When his mother is away and a bandit tries to steal her magic, young Ned must defend and save it, with help from a bandit's daughter.
by Kelly Barnhill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When his mother is away and a bandit tries to steal her magic, young Ned must defend and save it, with help from a bandit's daughter.
Twenty-Two Cents
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Jamel Akib
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As a child in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus grieved for the poverty around him and was determined to help. He studied economics and grew up to create the Grameen Bank. Loose, atmospheric pastels.
by Paula Yoo
Illustrator: Jamel Akib
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
As a child in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus grieved for the poverty around him and was determined to help. He studied economics and grew up to create the Grameen Bank. Loose, atmospheric pastels.
Under the Egg
by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Just before he dies, her grandfather tells thirteen-year-old Theo that he has left her a treasure. Could he mean a stolen work of art?
by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Just before he dies, her grandfather tells thirteen-year-old Theo that he has left her a treasure. Could he mean a stolen work of art?
Unfriended
by Rachel Vail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Six narrators experience middle school friendships, budding romance, and bullying.
by Rachel Vail
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
Six narrators experience middle school friendships, budding romance, and bullying.
When Lunch Fights Back
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
How do certain creatures fight off predators? Read about the weird and wild defenses they use. Photographs, notes, bibliography.
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
How do certain creatures fight off predators? Read about the weird and wild defenses they use. Photographs, notes, bibliography.
WinterFrost
by Michelle Houts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When their parents leave to tend to older relatives and baby Pia disappears, twelve-year-old Bettina must venture into the world of the mischievous gnome-like nisse.
by Michelle Houts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
When their parents leave to tend to older relatives and baby Pia disappears, twelve-year-old Bettina must venture into the world of the mischievous gnome-like nisse.
Zane and the Hurricane
A Story of Katrina
by Rodman Philbrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In New Orleans, twelve-year-old Zane and his dog, Bandy, experience the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
by Rodman Philbrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2014
In New Orleans, twelve-year-old Zane and his dog, Bandy, experience the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!
by Eric Yoder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Use logic, general information, and scientific knowledge to solve these science mysteries. Illustrated with photographs.
by Eric Yoder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Use logic, general information, and scientific knowledge to solve these science mysteries. Illustrated with photographs.
Aesop's Fables
retold by Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Talleen Hacikyan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Stunning art enhances this telling and retelling of the famous fables. Modern morals accompany each tale. A good choice for intergenerational sharing.
retold by Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Talleen Hacikyan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Stunning art enhances this telling and retelling of the famous fables. Modern morals accompany each tale. A good choice for intergenerational sharing.
Africa Is My Home
by Monica Edinger
Illustrator: Robert Byrd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nine-year-old Margu is sold to slave traders, sails to Cuba with fifty-two other captives and witnesses the 1839 Amistad Rebellion. Colorful ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Monica Edinger
Illustrator: Robert Byrd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nine-year-old Margu is sold to slave traders, sails to Cuba with fifty-two other captives and witnesses the 1839 Amistad Rebellion. Colorful ink and watercolor illustrations.
A History of Just About Everything
by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A browse through history from 6,000,000 BCE to the 2011 Japanese earthquake includes some little known facts and people. Time-line. Simple, colorful illustrations.
by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A browse through history from 6,000,000 BCE to the 2011 Japanese earthquake includes some little known facts and people. Time-line. Simple, colorful illustrations.
Al Capone Does My Homework
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1936 when his father is promoted to associate warden of Alcatraz, Moose and his family, including his autistic older sister, become the targets of the cons' point system--and an ambitious fellow guard.
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1936 when his father is promoted to associate warden of Alcatraz, Moose and his family, including his autistic older sister, become the targets of the cons' point system--and an ambitious fellow guard.
Alex Ko
by Alex Ko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Alex's passion for dance takes him to the big stage, where dreams come true as he stars as one of the “Billy Elliot” dancers.
by Alex Ko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Alex's passion for dance takes him to the big stage, where dreams come true as he stars as one of the “Billy Elliot” dancers.
A Mischief of Mermaids (The Unseen World of Poppy Malone)
by Suzanne Harper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Seeing a mermaid challenges ten-year-old Poppy's scientific way of thinking, but there is no denying what she saw!
by Suzanne Harper
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Seeing a mermaid challenges ten-year-old Poppy's scientific way of thinking, but there is no denying what she saw!
An Army of Frogs
by Trevor Pryce
Illustrator: Sanford Greene
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Can Darel and the lowly wood frogs save themselves and their sanctuary from the scorpion army and the spider queen? Extraordinary full color illustrations.
by Trevor Pryce
Illustrator: Sanford Greene
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Can Darel and the lowly wood frogs save themselves and their sanctuary from the scorpion army and the spider queen? Extraordinary full color illustrations.