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 Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle
by Christopher Healy
Illustrator: Todd Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The League of Princes has a simple plan: stop the wedding between Prince Liam and Briar Rose. Trolls, an eleven-year-old king, and an ancient gemstone complicate matters. Detailed, expressive drawings.
by Christopher Healy
Illustrator: Todd Harris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
The League of Princes has a simple plan: stop the wedding between Prince Liam and Briar Rose. Trolls, an eleven-year-old king, and an ancient gemstone complicate matters. Detailed, expressive drawings.
The Kite That Bridged Two Nations
by Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a prize is offered to anyone whose kite string can bridge Niagara Falls, young Homan Walsh decides to enter the contest. Realistic acrylic illustrations.
by Alexis O'Neill
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When a prize is offered to anyone whose kite string can bridge Niagara Falls, young Homan Walsh decides to enter the contest. Realistic acrylic illustrations.
The Laura Line
by Crystal Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Laura is embarrassed by the ancient slave shack on her grandma's land until she learns about the Laura that came before her.
by Crystal Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Laura is embarrassed by the ancient slave shack on her grandma's land until she learns about the Laura that came before her.
The Mad Potter
by Jan Greenberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
George Ohr was certain of his genius as a potter, but the world hadn't caught up with him. Historical photographs
by Jan Greenberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
George Ohr was certain of his genius as a potter, but the world hadn't caught up with him. Historical photographs
The Misadventures of the Magician's Dog
by Frances Sackett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
ARC - A talking dog promises to help twelve-year-old Peter bring his pilot father home from the war in the Middle East with magic. But will it work?
by Frances Sackett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
ARC - A talking dog promises to help twelve-year-old Peter bring his pilot father home from the war in the Middle East with magic. But will it work?
The Mystery of Darwin's Frog
by Marty Crump
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Over a 175-year period scientists made fascinating discoveries about the tiny frog that Darwin discovered in Chile in 1835. Drawings and photographs support the text.
by Marty Crump
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Over a 175-year period scientists made fascinating discoveries about the tiny frog that Darwin discovered in Chile in 1835. Drawings and photographs support the text.
The Price of Freedom
by Judith Bloom Fradin
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1856, John Price escapes to freedom in Oberlin, Ohio. When he is recaptured two years later, the town rallies to free him. A dramatization of the events illustrated with rich oil paintings.
by Judith Bloom Fradin
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
In 1856, John Price escapes to freedom in Oberlin, Ohio. When he is recaptured two years later, the town rallies to free him. A dramatization of the events illustrated with rich oil paintings.
The Saturday Boy
by David Fleming
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
His former best friend is bullying him, his mother is distant and moody, and Derek wants his father to come home from Afghanistan all guaranteed to make Derek feel down.
by David Fleming
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
His former best friend is bullying him, his mother is distant and moody, and Derek wants his father to come home from Afghanistan all guaranteed to make Derek feel down.
The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co. series)
by Jonathan Stroud
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When England is infested with ghosts that only children are sensitive enough to see, Lockwood & Co. take on their most terrifying case and solve a decades old murder.
by Jonathan Stroud
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When England is infested with ghosts that only children are sensitive enough to see, Lockwood & Co. take on their most terrifying case and solve a decades old murder.
The Shadowhand Covenant (The Vengekeep Prophecies series)
by Brian Farrey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Jaxter and his one time friend, Maloch, take on magical creatures and power-hungry leaders as they search for missing Shadowhand thieves.
by Brian Farrey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Jaxter and his one time friend, Maloch, take on magical creatures and power-hungry leaders as they search for missing Shadowhand thieves.
The Song of the Quarkbeast (The Chronicles of Kazam series)
by Jasper Fforde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jennifer Strange clashes with enemies who threaten the future of Kazam, discovering an even more treacherous plot against the royal family and the future use of magic.
by Jasper Fforde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Jennifer Strange clashes with enemies who threaten the future of Kazam, discovering an even more treacherous plot against the royal family and the future use of magic.
The Tapir Scientist (Scientists in the Field series)
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A team of scientists conduct meticulous field research to save the tapir from extinction. Lively narrative and stunning photographs convey their challenges and successes.
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A team of scientists conduct meticulous field research to save the tapir from extinction. Lively narrative and stunning photographs convey their challenges and successes.
The Tell-Tale Start
by Gordon McAlpine
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Identical twins Edgar and Allan, descendants of Poe, think with one mind. A criminal professor attempts to capture them for his evil experiments. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Gordon McAlpine
Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Identical twins Edgar and Allan, descendants of Poe, think with one mind. A criminal professor attempts to capture them for his evil experiments. Black-and-white illustrations.
The Templeton Twins Make a Scene (The Templeton Twins series)
by Ellis Weiner
Illustrator: Jeremy Holmes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Can John and Abigail outwit the dastardly Dean brothers and save their father's ingenious invention? Only the snarky narrator knows. Quirky blueprint-inspired illustrations.
by Ellis Weiner
Illustrator: Jeremy Holmes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Can John and Abigail outwit the dastardly Dean brothers and save their father's ingenious invention? Only the snarky narrator knows. Quirky blueprint-inspired illustrations.
The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket
by John Boyne
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Barnaby Brocket's parents crave “normal” and a floating son is not acceptable. When he is released at a famous Australian rock, the adventures begin. Whimsical pen and ink illustrations.
by John Boyne
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Barnaby Brocket's parents crave “normal” and a floating son is not acceptable. When he is released at a famous Australian rock, the adventures begin. Whimsical pen and ink illustrations.
The Thing About Luck
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Going on harvest with her grandparents and brother, twelve-year-old Summer wonders if her family's year without luck will ever end. Can she help?
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Going on harvest with her grandparents and brother, twelve-year-old Summer wonders if her family's year without luck will ever end. Can she help?
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
by Kathi Appelt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn, along with the Sugar Man and two raccoons, must save the Texas swamp and its rare inhabitants from animal and human predators. Fast-paced and funny.
by Kathi Appelt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn, along with the Sugar Man and two raccoons, must save the Texas swamp and its rare inhabitants from animal and human predators. Fast-paced and funny.
The Ugly One
by Leanne Statland Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A young girl with a scarred face discovers her true spirit and calling as she travels to the Sacred City of Cuzco.
by Leanne Statland Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A young girl with a scarred face discovers her true spirit and calling as she travels to the Sacred City of Cuzco.
The Vine Basket
by Josanne La Valley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Mehrigul, a Uyghur farm girl and gifted basket maker, longs to go back to school. But she must battle her aggressive father, her depressed mother and the Chinese rulers who have invaded her part of the world.
by Josanne La Valley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Mehrigul, a Uyghur farm girl and gifted basket maker, longs to go back to school. But she must battle her aggressive father, her depressed mother and the Chinese rulers who have invaded her part of the world.
The Water Castle
by Megan Frazer Blakemore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
After his father's stroke, Ephraim's family moves to their ancestral home in Maine, where he searches for the legendary healing waters.
by Megan Frazer Blakemore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
After his father's stroke, Ephraim's family moves to their ancestral home in Maine, where he searches for the legendary healing waters.
The Weight of Water
by Sarah Crossman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Written in poetic form, Twelve-year-old Kasienka(Cassie) and her mother journey from Poland to Coventry, England in search of the father and husband who left them. Poignantly told.
by Sarah Crossman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Written in poetic form, Twelve-year-old Kasienka(Cassie) and her mother journey from Poland to Coventry, England in search of the father and husband who left them. Poignantly told.
The Wells Bequest
by Polly Shulman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Using the time machine created by H. G. Wells, Leo and his friend Jaya join forces to save the world when someone steals a dangerous invention.
by Polly Shulman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Using the time machine created by H. G. Wells, Leo and his friend Jaya join forces to save the world when someone steals a dangerous invention.
The Whoopie Pie War (Invisible Inkling series)
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clever Hank and his invisible mysterious friend have unforeseen adventures as they try to save the family ice cream store. Humorous black-and-white drawings.
by Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clever Hank and his invisible mysterious friend have unforeseen adventures as they try to save the family ice cream store. Humorous black-and-white drawings.
The Witch's Curse
by Keith McGowanwith
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Sol and his sister escape the child eating witch next door, but find themselves hunted in an enchanted forest. Can they reach safety before transforming into animals? Black-and-white illustrations.
by Keith McGowanwith
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Sol and his sister escape the child eating witch next door, but find themselves hunted in an enchanted forest. Can they reach safety before transforming into animals? Black-and-white illustrations.
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: John OBrien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thomas Jefferson loved to read so much he determined to create America's Library of Congress, but it wasn't easy. Enchanting pen and ink illustrations.
by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: John OBrien
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thomas Jefferson loved to read so much he determined to create America's Library of Congress, but it wasn't easy. Enchanting pen and ink illustrations.