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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Fairy Tale Comics
edited by Chris Duffy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
This collection will please a wide range of readers with its fresh perspectives on popular and obscure tales, retold with vibrant illustrations by eighteen cartoonists.
edited by Chris Duffy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
This collection will please a wide range of readers with its fresh perspectives on popular and obscure tales, retold with vibrant illustrations by eighteen cartoonists.
Fallout
by Todd Strasser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nuclear war finds only Scott's father prepared. Neighbors force their way into his bomb shelter and ten people struggle to survive on air and food designed for four.
by Todd Strasser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nuclear war finds only Scott's father prepared. Neighbors force their way into his bomb shelter and ten people struggle to survive on air and food designed for four.
Fish for Jimmy
written and illustrated by Katie Yamasaki
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When Taro and his family are forced to move to a Japanese Internment camp, Taro finds a way to help his unhappy brother. Expressive acrylic illustrations.
written and illustrated by Katie Yamasaki
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When Taro and his family are forced to move to a Japanese Internment camp, Taro finds a way to help his unhappy brother. Expressive acrylic illustrations.
Flora & Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: K. G. Campbell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Superhero mouse Ulysses, a “blind” new friend, and an unusual elderly lady help Flora overcome loneliness following her parents' divorce. Comic strip panels in soft pencil.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: K. G. Campbell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Superhero mouse Ulysses, a “blind” new friend, and an unusual elderly lady help Flora overcome loneliness following her parents' divorce. Comic strip panels in soft pencil.
Fortunately, the Milk
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Skottie Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When their father goes to get milk, he is whisked away by aliens and has a series of whimsical adventures---sometimes interacting with his children. Exaggerated black and white line drawings.
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Skottie Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When their father goes to get milk, he is whisked away by aliens and has a series of whimsical adventures---sometimes interacting with his children. Exaggerated black and white line drawings.
Friends of Liberty
by Beatrice Gormley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In pre-Revolutionary Boston, Sally, 12, whose family are Patriots, and Kitty, whose family are Tories, try to remain friends amid political turmoil.
by Beatrice Gormley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In pre-Revolutionary Boston, Sally, 12, whose family are Patriots, and Kitty, whose family are Tories, try to remain friends amid political turmoil.
Frogged
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A humorous expansion of the Frog Prince tale featuring an appealing Princess Imogene traveling far and wide to discover how to reverse an awful magical curse.
by Vivian Vande Velde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A humorous expansion of the Frog Prince tale featuring an appealing Princess Imogene traveling far and wide to discover how to reverse an awful magical curse.
Gaby, Lost and Found
by Angela Cervantes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
By volunteering at Furry Friends Animal Shelter, twelve-year-old Gaby discovers a love for cats, a talent for writing, and the strength to accept her mother's deportation.
by Angela Cervantes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
By volunteering at Furry Friends Animal Shelter, twelve-year-old Gaby discovers a love for cats, a talent for writing, and the strength to accept her mother's deportation.
Ghoulish Song
by William Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a flute given her by a goblin separates her from her shadow, Kaile is declared dead and shunned by everyone.
by William Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a flute given her by a goblin separates her from her shadow, Kaile is declared dead and shunned by everyone.
Gingersnap
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Is it really a ghost that leads orphaned nine-year-old Jayna to look for her roots after her older brother goes off to fight in World War II?
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Is it really a ghost that leads orphaned nine-year-old Jayna to look for her roots after her older brother goes off to fight in World War II?
Giving Thanks
edited by Katherine Paterson
Illustrator: Pamela Dalton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Poems and prayers from many traditions express gratitude for life and blessings. Delicate cut-paper illustrations.
edited by Katherine Paterson
Illustrator: Pamela Dalton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Poems and prayers from many traditions express gratitude for life and blessings. Delicate cut-paper illustrations.
Goblins
by Philip Reeve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A clever goblin and a human wannabe-hero encounter both evil and good forces in their perilous adventure/romp to restore magic to the world, discovering the danger of power.
by Philip Reeve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A clever goblin and a human wannabe-hero encounter both evil and good forces in their perilous adventure/romp to restore magic to the world, discovering the danger of power.
Gone Fishing
by Tamera Will Wissinger
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Will Sam's day on the lake with his dad be ruined when his sister tags along? Playful, verse text and pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Detailed guide to poetic forms.
by Tamera Will Wissinger
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Will Sam's day on the lake with his dad be ruined when his sister tags along? Playful, verse text and pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Detailed guide to poetic forms.
Gustav Gloom and the Four Terrors (Gustav Gloom series)
by Adam-Troy Castro
Illustrator: Kristen Margiotta
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Gustav, the half-shadow boy, and his neighbors, the What family, unleash four sinister shadows drom the Dark Country in their attempt to rescue Gustav's father. Dark, gloomy illustrations.
by Adam-Troy Castro
Illustrator: Kristen Margiotta
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Gustav, the half-shadow boy, and his neighbors, the What family, unleash four sinister shadows drom the Dark Country in their attempt to rescue Gustav's father. Dark, gloomy illustrations.
Gustav Gloom and the Nightmare Vault (Gustav Gloom series)
by Adam-Troy Castro
Illustrator: Kristen Margiotta
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Will the adventurous Fernie What and her neighbor from the shadow world, Gustav Gloom, find the Nightmare Vault before the sinister shadow eater does? Dark, cartoon-like illustrations.
by Adam-Troy Castro
Illustrator: Kristen Margiotta
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Will the adventurous Fernie What and her neighbor from the shadow world, Gustav Gloom, find the Nightmare Vault before the sinister shadow eater does? Dark, cartoon-like illustrations.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
by David A. Adler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Born a slave, Harriet Tubman journeyed to freedom and dedicated herself to conducting others on their journeys on the Underground Railroad. Photographs, drawings, and reproduced documents.
by David A. Adler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Born a slave, Harriet Tubman journeyed to freedom and dedicated herself to conducting others on their journeys on the Underground Railroad. Photographs, drawings, and reproduced documents.
Here I Am
by Patti Kim
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An Asian immigrant experiences loneliness, nostalgia, confusion, anticipation, and friendship ad he adapts to his new home in America. Wordless with evocative multiple framed illustrations. Author's note.
by Patti Kim
Illustrator: Sonia Sánchez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An Asian immigrant experiences loneliness, nostalgia, confusion, anticipation, and friendship ad he adapts to his new home in America. Wordless with evocative multiple framed illustrations. Author's note.
Hey, Charleston!
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a preacher, a former slave, unites orphans and old musical instruments, a whole new style of music, called Rag, is created. Illustrations in oil on watercolor paper.
by Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Colin Bootman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a preacher, a former slave, unites orphans and old musical instruments, a whole new style of music, called Rag, is created. Illustrations in oil on watercolor paper.
Hideout
by Gordon Korman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Friends unite to protect (and hide) Susannah's doberman from his former, crooked owner, even as they head to three different summer camps.
by Gordon Korman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Friends unite to protect (and hide) Susannah's doberman from his former, crooked owner, even as they head to three different summer camps.
Hippomobile!
by Jeff Tapia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Ten-year-old twins Stella and Jimmy are determined to save their nowhere town from complete ruin.
by Jeff Tapia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Ten-year-old twins Stella and Jimmy are determined to save their nowhere town from complete ruin.
Hokey Pokey
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In a land without adults where kids rule, Jack must decide whether to grow up and move on. Rich, descriptive language.
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In a land without adults where kids rule, Jack must decide whether to grow up and move on. Rich, descriptive language.
Hold Fast
by Blue Balliett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Early uses patterns, rhythms, and the poetry of Langston Hughes to decipher the mystery of her father's disappearance.
by Blue Balliett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Early uses patterns, rhythms, and the poetry of Langston Hughes to decipher the mystery of her father's disappearance.
Hoop Genius
by John Coy
Illustrator: Joe Morse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Vibrant, action-packed illustrations and spare text capture the frustrations of a dedicated gym teacher who dreamed up a new sport. Bold, stylized illustrations.
by John Coy
Illustrator: Joe Morse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Vibrant, action-packed illustrations and spare text capture the frustrations of a dedicated gym teacher who dreamed up a new sport. Bold, stylized illustrations.
How to Catch a Bogle
by Catherine Jinks
Illustrator: Sarah Watts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An orphan trying to survive in Victorian England is apprenticed to a bogler. Together they lure and kill child-eating monsters. Pen and ink illustrations.
by Catherine Jinks
Illustrator: Sarah Watts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An orphan trying to survive in Victorian England is apprenticed to a bogler. Together they lure and kill child-eating monsters. Pen and ink illustrations.
Ick! Yuck! Eew!
by Lois Miner Huey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
This unique look at America's odoriferous past illustrates an oft-neglected segment of history. Color photographs, glossary and references.
by Lois Miner Huey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
This unique look at America's odoriferous past illustrates an oft-neglected segment of history. Color photographs, glossary and references.