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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Thrice Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A dragon and an elephant help rescue a kidnapped infant princess.
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A dragon and an elephant help rescue a kidnapped infant princess.
Timmy Failure
written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Indomitable Timmy, the detective, is oblivious to obvious clues which add to the continually humorous fixes in which he finds himself. Simple, yet expressive line drawings capture the depth and humor of Timmy's travails.
written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Indomitable Timmy, the detective, is oblivious to obvious clues which add to the continually humorous fixes in which he finds himself. Simple, yet expressive line drawings capture the depth and humor of Timmy's travails.
Toilet
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Explanations of how toilets, plumbing, sewers and treatment plants work. Clarifying drawings.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Explanations of how toilets, plumbing, sewers and treatment plants work. Clarifying drawings.
Twerp
by Mark Goldblatt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Through journal entries a twelve-year-old boy takes responsibility for the bullying occurring in his Queens, New York neighborhood in 1969.
by Mark Goldblatt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Through journal entries a twelve-year-old boy takes responsibility for the bullying occurring in his Queens, New York neighborhood in 1969.
Ukelele Hayley
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Amanda Haley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Shy third-grader Hayley discovers her “hidden talent” which has surprising impact on her whole comm unity. Humorous balck and white drawin gs.
by Judy Cox
Illustrator: Amanda Haley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Shy third-grader Hayley discovers her “hidden talent” which has surprising impact on her whole comm unity. Humorous balck and white drawin gs.
What the Heart Knows
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Powerful poems offer solace, wisdom, and inspiration at important moments in life such as repairing a friendship or asking forgiveness. Lush surreal illustrations which are poems unto them selves.
by Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Powerful poems offer solace, wisdom, and inspiration at important moments in life such as repairing a friendship or asking forgiveness. Lush surreal illustrations which are poems unto them selves.
When the Beat Was Born
by Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrator: Theodore Taylor III
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When music-loving Clive Campbell moved to the Bronx, he influenced a generation by creating hip hop, enticing kids to dance rather than fight. Energetic illustrations.
by Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrator: Theodore Taylor III
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
When music-loving Clive Campbell moved to the Bronx, he influenced a generation by creating hip hop, enticing kids to dance rather than fight. Energetic illustrations.
When the Butterflies Came
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
As Tara grapples with the death of her beloved grandmother, she finds herself in a dangerous international treasure hunt.
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
As Tara grapples with the death of her beloved grandmother, she finds herself in a dangerous international treasure hunt.
Whistle In the Dark
by Susan Hill Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clem, thirteen, is destined for the life of a lead miner in the Ozarks, but he dreams of a different, better existence above ground.
by Susan Hill Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Clem, thirteen, is destined for the life of a lead miner in the Ozarks, but he dreams of a different, better existence above ground.
Who Could That Be at This Hour? (All the Wrong Questions series)
by Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Seth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Lemony Snicket survives an attempt on his life, an inept mentor, a pointless crime, and a backstabbing friend. Woodcut illustrations.
by Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Seth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Thirteen-year-old Lemony Snicket survives an attempt on his life, an inept mentor, a pointless crime, and a backstabbing friend. Woodcut illustrations.
Why Do We Fight?
by Niki Walker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
How conflicts arise and could be resolved are accompanied by an invaluable guide to judging facts and opinions.
by Niki Walker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
How conflicts arise and could be resolved are accompanied by an invaluable guide to judging facts and opinions.
Wild Animal Neighbors
by Ann Downer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nature strikes back as we push our urban landscapes further into the wild animal's habitats and the animals push back and inhabit ours. Photographs.
by Ann Downer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nature strikes back as we push our urban landscapes further into the wild animal's habitats and the animals push back and inhabit ours. Photographs.
Wild Boy
by Mary Losure
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A feral child captured in late 1700s southern France deals with an alien civilization. Based on a true story. Illustrations rendered in charcoal.
by Mary Losure
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
A feral child captured in late 1700s southern France deals with an alien civilization. Based on a true story. Illustrations rendered in charcoal.
Will in Scarlet
by Matthew Cody
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
English royal leadership is in tumult, and thirteen-year-old Will Scarlet must survive in the wildness of Sherwood Forest with a new leader: Robin Hood.
by Matthew Cody
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
English royal leadership is in tumult, and thirteen-year-old Will Scarlet must survive in the wildness of Sherwood Forest with a new leader: Robin Hood.
Words With Wings
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Spare, heartfelt verse describes how words carry Gabby away from school, chores, and thoughts of her parents' separation. Will she find anyone who understands her daydreaming mind?
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Spare, heartfelt verse describes how words carry Gabby away from school, chores, and thoughts of her parents' separation. Will she find anyone who understands her daydreaming mind?
Zero Tolerance
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An accidental infraction causes Sierra, a stellar seventh-grade student, to learn that distinguishing good from bad can be complicated.
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
An accidental infraction causes Sierra, a stellar seventh-grade student, to learn that distinguishing good from bad can be complicated.
Zero Tolerance (The Odd Squad series)
written and illustrated by Michael Fry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nick and two friends are back in this continuing story of anti-bully activity at Emily Dickinson School. Humorous black-and-white ink cartoons extend the story.
written and illustrated by Michael Fry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Nick and two friends are back in this continuing story of anti-bully activity at Emily Dickinson School. Humorous black-and-white ink cartoons extend the story.
Zombie Baseball Beatdown
by Paolo Bacigalupi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Three thirteen-year-old friends discover that illegal practice in the meatpacking plant have caused cows to turn into zombies.
by Paolo Bacigalupi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2013
Three thirteen-year-old friends discover that illegal practice in the meatpacking plant have caused cows to turn into zombies.
A Black Hole Is Not a Hole
by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Illustrator: Michael Carroll
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Clear explanations, dramatic images and photographs, and helpful diagrams introduce these “spaces with a powerful pull.” Time line, glossary, literary resources, and websites.
by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Illustrator: Michael Carroll
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Clear explanations, dramatic images and photographs, and helpful diagrams introduce these “spaces with a powerful pull.” Time line, glossary, literary resources, and websites.
A Diamond in the Desert
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
During the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps during World War II, thirteen-year-old Tetsu uses baseball to combat the harshness of camp life.
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
During the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps during World War II, thirteen-year-old Tetsu uses baseball to combat the harshness of camp life.
Albert Einstein and Relativity for Kids
by Jerome Pohlen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn about Einstein's theories and his fascinating life. Archival photographs.
by Jerome Pohlen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn about Einstein's theories and his fascinating life. Archival photographs.
Alex and the Amazing Time Machine
by Rich Cohen
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Brilliant Alex invents a machine that will warp time, but when his brother is kidnapped, he must use the “dingus” to save his family. Textured black-and-white illustrations.
by Rich Cohen
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Brilliant Alex invents a machine that will warp time, but when his brother is kidnapped, he must use the “dingus” to save his family. Textured black-and-white illustrations.
Alex the Parrot
written by Stephanie Spinner
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
How a scientist trained a gray parrot to talk and comprehend. Colorful watercolor and gouache illustrations.
written by Stephanie Spinner
Illustrator: Meilo So
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
How a scientist trained a gray parrot to talk and comprehend. Colorful watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Alicia Alonso
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Free verse and colorful paintings depict the significant events in the life of Cuba's famed ballet dancer. Glossary, chronology, notes, and sources.
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Free verse and colorful paintings depict the significant events in the life of Cuba's famed ballet dancer. Glossary, chronology, notes, and sources.
Almost Home
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Sugar loses her sense of security when the house is foreclosed. She survives by her writing and contact with a former teacher.
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Sugar loses her sense of security when the house is foreclosed. She survives by her writing and contact with a former teacher.