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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Soldier Dog
by Sam Angus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Believing his father has drowned his beloved puppy, Stanley, fourteen-years=old, joins the army and becomes a messenger dog trainer in World War I
by Sam Angus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Believing his father has drowned his beloved puppy, Stanley, fourteen-years=old, joins the army and becomes a messenger dog trainer in World War I
Spending Spree
by Cynthia Overbeck Bix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
From bartering with neighbors to shopping in stores, malls, and online, this book explores the different ways Americans buy things.
by Cynthia Overbeck Bix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
From bartering with neighbors to shopping in stores, malls, and online, this book explores the different ways Americans buy things.
Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Carin Berger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Witty rhythmic poems describe the character traits of sixteen whimsical imaginary creatures. Imaginative mixed-media dioramas display each silly animal.
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Carin Berger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Witty rhythmic poems describe the character traits of sixteen whimsical imaginary creatures. Imaginative mixed-media dioramas display each silly animal.
Sugar
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1870, Reconstruction brings big changes for ten-year-old Sugar on the Louisiana plantation where she lives and works, including some surprising friendships.
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1870, Reconstruction brings big changes for ten-year-old Sugar on the Louisiana plantation where she lives and works, including some surprising friendships.
Sure Signs of Crazy
by Karen Harrington
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Sarah loves new words, wants a first kiss, and is ready to face her absent mother's mental illness and father's alcoholism.
by Karen Harrington
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Sarah loves new words, wants a first kiss, and is ready to face her absent mother's mental illness and father's alcoholism.
The 14 Fibs of Gregory K.
by Greg Pincus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Gregory writes poems and stories, but his family loves math. Now his father wants him to enter the citywide math contest. Can they reconcile their differences?
by Greg Pincus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Eleven-year-old Gregory writes poems and stories, but his family loves math. Now his father wants him to enter the citywide math contest. Can they reconcile their differences?
The Abominables
by Eva Ibbotson
Illustrator: Fiona Robinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Aunt Agatha's Yetis escape from the Himalayan Mountains and encounter dangers on the journey to safety in England. Expressive black and white illustrations.
by Eva Ibbotson
Illustrator: Fiona Robinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Aunt Agatha's Yetis escape from the Himalayan Mountains and encounter dangers on the journey to safety in England. Expressive black and white illustrations.
The Adventures of a South Pole Pig
by Chris Kurtz
Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Flora yearns to explore the world beyond her pen. When her dream comes true, can she survive the perils she encounters? Delicate black-and-white illustrations.
by Chris Kurtz
Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Flora yearns to explore the world beyond her pen. When her dream comes true, can she survive the perils she encounters? Delicate black-and-white illustrations.
The Animal Book
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Describes 300 animals--exotic and everyday--and the amazing things they do. Stunning, detailed illustrations.
written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Describes 300 animals--exotic and everyday--and the amazing things they do. Stunning, detailed illustrations.
The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger
by Jenny Meyerhoff
Illustrator: Jason Week
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Louie dreams of being a comedian, but can't beat his stage fright! He though his best friend would help, but now he's not sure. Entertaining, humorous line drawings.
by Jenny Meyerhoff
Illustrator: Jason Week
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Louie dreams of being a comedian, but can't beat his stage fright! He though his best friend would help, but now he's not sure. Entertaining, humorous line drawings.
The Bird King
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
These reproductions of Tan's enthralling pencil and paint sketches should intrigue readers of his books, young artists, and anyone who enjoys an imaginative challenge.
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
These reproductions of Tan's enthralling pencil and paint sketches should intrigue readers of his books, young artists, and anyone who enjoys an imaginative challenge.
The Book Boat's In
by Cynthia Cotten
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Set in 1835, Jesse works to earn pennies to pay for his first earned book. Colorful folklorish gouache illustrations.
by Cynthia Cotten
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Set in 1835, Jesse works to earn pennies to pay for his first earned book. Colorful folklorish gouache illustrations.
The Boy on the Porch
by Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A six-year-old who doesn't talk is left on the porch of a young couple who learn to love him but eventually must give him up.
by Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A six-year-old who doesn't talk is left on the porch of a young couple who learn to love him but eventually must give him up.
The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas
by David Almond
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When Stanley joins a traveling fair, he is expected to dive into a tank of vicious, carnivorous fish. Whimsical pencil illustrations.
by David Almond
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When Stanley joins a traveling fair, he is expected to dive into a tank of vicious, carnivorous fish. Whimsical pencil illustrations.
The Bully Book
by Eric Kahn Gale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Devastated at suddenly becoming the class grunt, sixth-grader Eric is determined to discover why he has been targeted, but his search for answers results in more than he expected.
by Eric Kahn Gale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Devastated at suddenly becoming the class grunt, sixth-grader Eric is determined to discover why he has been targeted, but his search for answers results in more than he expected.
The Camp Phoenix Caper
by John Madormo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Charlie and his friends investigate the disappearance of a teenager and stumble upon a band of thieves in this second adventure.
by John Madormo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Charlie and his friends investigate the disappearance of a teenager and stumble upon a band of thieves in this second adventure.
The Candy Smash (The Lemonade War series)
by Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Cara Llewellyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
To get a hit news story, Jessie investigates”crushes”. But her classmates, including her brother Evan, have secrets they don't want uncovered. A few quirky line drawings.
by Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Cara Llewellyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
To get a hit news story, Jessie investigates”crushes”. But her classmates, including her brother Evan, have secrets they don't want uncovered. A few quirky line drawings.
The Case of the Vanishing Honebees
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Why are so many honeybees dying? Scientists try to solve the mystery. Engaging, helpful photographs and illustrations.
by Sandra Markle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Why are so many honeybees dying? Scientists try to solve the mystery. Engaging, helpful photographs and illustrations.
The Cats of Tanglewood Forest
by Charles De Lint
Illustrator: Charles Vess
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Lillian learns about herself and the magical forest world when the cats turn her into a kitten to save her life. Evocative, full color illustrations.
by Charles De Lint
Illustrator: Charles Vess
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Lillian learns about herself and the magical forest world when the cats turn her into a kitten to save her life. Evocative, full color illustrations.
The Center of Everything
by Linda Urban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
As Ruby Pepperdine stands along the town parade route waiting to deliver her winning essay, she worries about her grandmother and her friends.
by Linda Urban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
As Ruby Pepperdine stands along the town parade route waiting to deliver her winning essay, she worries about her grandmother and her friends.
The Dolphins of Shark Bay
by Pamela S. Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Learn about dolphin behavior in Australia as scientists record their every day activities and surprisingly intelligent behavior. Colorful photographs.
by Pamela S. Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Learn about dolphin behavior in Australia as scientists record their every day activities and surprisingly intelligent behavior. Colorful photographs.
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nicholas, a young orphan with exceptional powers of memory and observation, attempts to outwit bullies, make friends, and solve a mystery that will decide his future. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nicholas, a young orphan with exceptional powers of memory and observation, attempts to outwit bullies, make friends, and solve a mystery that will decide his future. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Further Adventures of Jack Lime
by James Leck
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jack, the hard-boiled private eye of Iona High School. solves cases about quarterbacks, art, and comic books, and takes some punches for his troubles.
by James Leck
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jack, the hard-boiled private eye of Iona High School. solves cases about quarterbacks, art, and comic books, and takes some punches for his troubles.
The Garden of my Imaan
by Farhana Zia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The arrival of a confident, religious Muslim girl forces fifth-grader Aliya to face her own wishy washy practice of that faith.
by Farhana Zia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The arrival of a confident, religious Muslim girl forces fifth-grader Aliya to face her own wishy washy practice of that faith.
The Great American Dust Bowl
written and illustrated by Don Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Striking, evocative pen, ink, and digital drawings and engaging text explain the history and science of one of America's greatest environmental disasters. [We duplicated this record for placement under ecology as well.]
written and illustrated by Don Brown
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Striking, evocative pen, ink, and digital drawings and engaging text explain the history and science of one of America's greatest environmental disasters. [We duplicated this record for placement under ecology as well.]