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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Our Rights
written and illustrated by Janet Wilson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The efforts of child activists to change the world is presented. Photographs and pastel illustrations.
written and illustrated by Janet Wilson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The efforts of child activists to change the world is presented. Photographs and pastel illustrations.
Papa Is a Poet
by Natalie S. Bober
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Frost's fifteen-year-old daughter narrates this description of her family's life in the New England countryside interspersed with lines from his poems. Includes twelve of his poems. Delicately simple mixed-media illustrations
by Natalie S. Bober
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Frost's fifteen-year-old daughter narrates this description of her family's life in the New England countryside interspersed with lines from his poems. Includes twelve of his poems. Delicately simple mixed-media illustrations
Paperboy
by Vince Vawter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Little Man takes over his friend's paper route for a month--the only problem--he stutters badly and wil have to speak with his customers.
by Vince Vawter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Little Man takes over his friend's paper route for a month--the only problem--he stutters badly and wil have to speak with his customers.
Peace Warriors (Profiles)
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Inspiring stories of six powerful figures are connected by their unwavering commitment to peace, even in the face of violence and oppression.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Inspiring stories of six powerful figures are connected by their unwavering commitment to peace, even in the face of violence and oppression.
Pedal It!
by Michelle Mulder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The history and uses of bicycles that have been around for nearly 200 years is depicted in engaging text and photographs.
by Michelle Mulder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The history and uses of bicycles that have been around for nearly 200 years is depicted in engaging text and photographs.
Penelope Crumb Never Forgets
by Shawn K. Stout
Illustrator: Valeria Docampo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a quirky spirited girl establishes her ultra museum of Forget-Me-Notters, her choice of items to represent her loved ones causes havoc. Black-and-white puppet-like illustrations.
by Shawn K. Stout
Illustrator: Valeria Docampo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a quirky spirited girl establishes her ultra museum of Forget-Me-Notters, her choice of items to represent her loved ones causes havoc. Black-and-white puppet-like illustrations.
Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs
by Jill Bryant
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A diverse group of women from various backgrounds succeed in businesses ranging from cosmetics to high finance to aviation.
by Jill Bryant
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A diverse group of women from various backgrounds succeed in businesses ranging from cosmetics to high finance to aviation.
Pi in the Sky
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Joss, a denizen of dark matter, and Annika, an Earthling, must rebuild Earth when it suddenly disappears.
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Joss, a denizen of dark matter, and Annika, an Earthling, must rebuild Earth when it suddenly disappears.
Poseidon
written and illustrated by George O'Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The god of the Oceans is as mysterious as their depths. From the Cyclops to Theseus and the Minotaur, he and his offspring are part of many fascinating myths. Dramatic, expressive illustrations.
written and illustrated by George O'Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The god of the Oceans is as mysterious as their depths. From the Cyclops to Theseus and the Minotaur, he and his offspring are part of many fascinating myths. Dramatic, expressive illustrations.
Primates
by Jim Ottaviani
Illustrator: Maris Wicks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
We are led through the jungle and are able to follow the careers of groundbreaking scientists who studied primates. Engaging graphic art and text.
by Jim Ottaviani
Illustrator: Maris Wicks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
We are led through the jungle and are able to follow the careers of groundbreaking scientists who studied primates. Engaging graphic art and text.
Princess Tales
adapted by Grace Maccarone
Illustrator: Gail De Marcken
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clever rhymes relate ten traditional fairy tales. Intricate watercolor and ink illustrations with seek and find queries on each page.
adapted by Grace Maccarone
Illustrator: Gail De Marcken
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clever rhymes relate ten traditional fairy tales. Intricate watercolor and ink illustrations with seek and find queries on each page.
P.S. Be Eleven
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Life gets complicated for the Gaither sisters in 1968 Brooklyn--Dad's in love, uncle Darnell's home from Vietnam, and the Jackson Five are coming to town.
by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Life gets complicated for the Gaither sisters in 1968 Brooklyn--Dad's in love, uncle Darnell's home from Vietnam, and the Jackson Five are coming to town.
Pug and Other Animal Poems
by Valerie Worth
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Fireflies, fish, tigers, bulls, and more are depicted in eighteen sonorous free-verse poems. Exquisite collages.
by Valerie Worth
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Fireflies, fish, tigers, bulls, and more are depicted in eighteen sonorous free-verse poems. Exquisite collages.
Razia's Ray of Hope
by Elizabeth Suneby
Illustrator: Suana Verelst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Razia, from Afghanistan, must convince her father and brother to let her go to school. Mixed media illustrations.
by Elizabeth Suneby
Illustrator: Suana Verelst
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Razia, from Afghanistan, must convince her father and brother to let her go to school. Mixed media illustrations.
Romeo Blue
by Phoebe Stone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
During World War II, when a mysterious man suddenly claims to be her friend's real father, twelve-year-old Felicity, immediately becomes suspicious of his motives. Is he really a Nazi spy?
by Phoebe Stone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
During World War II, when a mysterious man suddenly claims to be her friend's real father, twelve-year-old Felicity, immediately becomes suspicious of his motives. Is he really a Nazi spy?
Rules for Ghosting
by A. J. Paquette
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Dahlia, a solitary ghost, learns about the ghost world, befriends humans, and solves a century-old mystery with a ghostly guide and the new, living inhabitants of Silverton Manor.
by A. J. Paquette
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Dahlia, a solitary ghost, learns about the ghost world, befriends humans, and solves a century-old mystery with a ghostly guide and the new, living inhabitants of Silverton Manor.
Rump
by Liesl Shurtliff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In this humorous twist on the folk tale, young Rump embarks on a quest to learn his true name.
by Liesl Shurtliff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In this humorous twist on the folk tale, young Rump embarks on a quest to learn his true name.
Scaly Spotted Feathered Frilled
by Catherine Thimmesh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
How paleontologists and artists describe dinosaurs is presented in a well-researched study. Realistic illustrations
by Catherine Thimmesh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
How paleontologists and artists describe dinosaurs is presented in a well-researched study. Realistic illustrations
Scary Tales
by James Preller
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When eight-year-old Liam and his family move into a new house, a child's game brings forth the frightening “Bloody Mary,” who lived there long ago. Atmospheric illustrations.
by James Preller
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When eight-year-old Liam and his family move into a new house, a child's game brings forth the frightening “Bloody Mary,” who lived there long ago. Atmospheric illustrations.
Scorpions!
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Henderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
From the cephalothorax (head) to abdomen (end), this predator's world is revealed. Supportive paintings.
by Laurence Pringle
Illustrator: Meryl Henderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
From the cephalothorax (head) to abdomen (end), this predator's world is revealed. Supportive paintings.
Seeing Red
by Kathryn Erskine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1972 in a small Virginia town, Twelve -year-old Red Porter learns the unsavory racial history of his own family and tries to remedy the past injustice.
by Kathryn Erskine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1972 in a small Virginia town, Twelve -year-old Red Porter learns the unsavory racial history of his own family and tries to remedy the past injustice.
Serafina's Promise
by Ann E. Burg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Serafina wants to go to school and become a doctor, but floods and an earthquake may make that an impossible dream in 2010 Haiti.
by Ann E. Burg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Serafina wants to go to school and become a doctor, but floods and an earthquake may make that an impossible dream in 2010 Haiti.
Sidekicked
by John David Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Andrew's training, development and protection as a superhero's sidekick is threatened when his mentor refuses to continue fighting crime.
by John David Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Andrew's training, development and protection as a superhero's sidekick is threatened when his mentor refuses to continue fighting crime.
Sink or Swim (Whatever After series)
by Sarah Mlynowski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jonah and Abby help the Little Mermaid stand on her own tow feet in this series of adventures through the mirror.
by Sarah Mlynowski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jonah and Abby help the Little Mermaid stand on her own tow feet in this series of adventures through the mirror.
Sleeping Beauty's Daughters
by Dianne Zahler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
After Sleeping Beauty's older daughter learns that, like her mother, she has been put under a terrible spell, she and her younger sister embark on a quest to break it.
by Dianne Zahler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
After Sleeping Beauty's older daughter learns that, like her mother, she has been put under a terrible spell, she and her younger sister embark on a quest to break it.