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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Always October
by Bruce Coville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
After the baby found on twelve-year-old Jake's doorstep turns into a monster, he and best friend Lily go to the land of Always October to find out why.
by Bruce Coville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
After the baby found on twelve-year-old Jake's doorstep turns into a monster, he and best friend Lily go to the land of Always October to find out why.
Amazon
by David Borgenicht
Illustrator: Yancey Labat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Teens join a six month trek along the Amazon River from its source to its mouth, with multiple choices that spell disaster or survival. Bold black-and-white illustrations.
by David Borgenicht
Illustrator: Yancey Labat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Teens join a six month trek along the Amazon River from its source to its mouth, with multiple choices that spell disaster or survival. Bold black-and-white illustrations.
A Passion for Victory
by Benson Bobrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The history of the Olympic Games is traced from their beginnings in Ancient Greece to their revival on the international stage. Archival photographs and art.
by Benson Bobrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The history of the Olympic Games is traced from their beginnings in Ancient Greece to their revival on the international stage. Archival photographs and art.
Applewhites at Wit's End
by Stephanie S. Tolan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Great changes occur when the creative, eccentric Applewhite family opens a summer camp for gifted children.
by Stephanie S. Tolan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Great changes occur when the creative, eccentric Applewhite family opens a summer camp for gifted children.
A Thunderous Whisper
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Set in Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, Ani and Mathias form a special friendship as they become spies against the Franco regime.
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Set in Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, Ani and Mathias form a special friendship as they become spies against the Franco regime.
A Voice for Kanzas
by Debra McArthur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In 1855 when an anti-slavery family moves to Kansas to support a free state, thirteen-year-old Lucy must make courageous choices.
by Debra McArthur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In 1855 when an anti-slavery family moves to Kansas to support a free state, thirteen-year-old Lucy must make courageous choices.
Barack Obama
by Beatrice Gormley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn how a young Obama embraced multiculturalism, focused on education and family, and figured out how he could best improve the lives of all Americans.
by Beatrice Gormley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn how a young Obama embraced multiculturalism, focused on education and family, and figured out how he could best improve the lives of all Americans.
Beauty and the Beast
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Beauty, an adventurous heroine, and Beast, a former prince with a scientific mind, come together to break a witch's curse. Adapted from the classic tale.
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Beauty, an adventurous heroine, and Beast, a former prince with a scientific mind, come together to break a witch's curse. Adapted from the classic tale.
Behind the Masks
by Susan Patron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Angeline knows her father has not been murdered, but finding his empty casket only leads her into more mystery and adventure in a California mining town in 1880.
by Susan Patron
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Angeline knows her father has not been murdered, but finding his empty casket only leads her into more mystery and adventure in a California mining town in 1880.
Best Shot in the West
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Randy Duburke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Experience the adventures of Nat Love, an African American cowboy whose expert roping and cattle-driving skills were admired by his fellow buckaroos. Lively illustrations.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Randy Duburke
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Experience the adventures of Nat Love, an African American cowboy whose expert roping and cattle-driving skills were admired by his fellow buckaroos. Lively illustrations.
Bewitching
by Alex Flinn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Kendra, a delightful but not totally successful witch, tells of her youth during the 1666 plague. Modern and ancient experiences weave together via the warp of magic and the weft of historical events.
by Alex Flinn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Kendra, a delightful but not totally successful witch, tells of her youth during the 1666 plague. Modern and ancient experiences weave together via the warp of magic and the weft of historical events.
Bill the Boy Wonder
by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Illustrator: Ty Templeton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Bill Finger was the unknown, uncredited talent behind Bob Kane, Batman's first creator. Ink and color illustrations in comic book style.
by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Illustrator: Ty Templeton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Bill Finger was the unknown, uncredited talent behind Bob Kane, Batman's first creator. Ink and color illustrations in comic book style.
Bon Appetit!
written and illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn how Julia Child became a world famous French chef and cookbook author. Recipes and whimsical gouache illustrations.
written and illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn how Julia Child became a world famous French chef and cookbook author. Recipes and whimsical gouache illustrations.
Breakaway
by Trevor Kew
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Ice hockey or soccer? Adam has to make the hard choice between being on a team in his new school and his Dad's aspirations for him.
by Trevor Kew
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Ice hockey or soccer? Adam has to make the hard choice between being on a team in his new school and his Dad's aspirations for him.
Brother from a Box
by Evan Kuhlman
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Having a prototype robot child in the family turns out to be even more of an adventure that sixth-grader Matt bargained for.
by Evan Kuhlman
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Having a prototype robot child in the family turns out to be even more of an adventure that sixth-grader Matt bargained for.
Buddy
by M.H. Herlong
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Li'l T, his three-legged dog, Buddy, and a close-knit family face the hardship brought on by Hurricane Katrina and learn about survival and letting go.
by M.H. Herlong
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Li'l T, his three-legged dog, Buddy, and a close-knit family face the hardship brought on by Hurricane Katrina and learn about survival and letting go.
Buried Alive!
by Elaine Scott
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The miners' lives, mining operations, and the rescue process are explored in this account of the dramatic disaster. Photographs, extensive background information, and bibliography.
by Elaine Scott
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The miners' lives, mining operations, and the rescue process are explored in this account of the dramatic disaster. Photographs, extensive background information, and bibliography.
Caddy's World
by Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Friends and family define twelve-year-old Cadmium “Caddy” Casson's world, but now everything is changing. Stand-alone prequel to the Casson family series.
by Hilary McKay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Friends and family define twelve-year-old Cadmium “Caddy” Casson's world, but now everything is changing. Stand-alone prequel to the Casson family series.
Cardboard
written and illustrated by Doug TenNapel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
An empty box at first seems like the Worst Birthday Present Ever--but it contains astonishing surprises. Dramatic, expressive digital illustrations.
written and illustrated by Doug TenNapel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
An empty box at first seems like the Worst Birthday Present Ever--but it contains astonishing surprises. Dramatic, expressive digital illustrations.
Chained
by Lynne Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A poor ten-year-old South Indian boy, Hastin, becomes an elephant keeper to help his sister afford necessary medical care. Fascinating elephant lore.
by Lynne Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A poor ten-year-old South Indian boy, Hastin, becomes an elephant keeper to help his sister afford necessary medical care. Fascinating elephant lore.
Charlie Collier: Snoop for Hire
by John Madormo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Charlie, who loves solving mysteries and brain teasers, opens a detective agency in his garage.
by John Madormo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Twelve-year-old Charlie, who loves solving mysteries and brain teasers, opens a detective agency in his garage.
Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Extra Credit
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: J. P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
To avoid a summer away from his friends, Charlie Joe undertakes extra credit to boost his grades and learns many lessons in the process. Black-and-white cartoonlike illustrations.
by Tommy Greenwald
Illustrator: J. P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
To avoid a summer away from his friends, Charlie Joe undertakes extra credit to boost his grades and learns many lessons in the process. Black-and-white cartoonlike illustrations.
Cheesie Mack Is Cool in a Duel
by Steve Cotler
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Although not everything goes as planned for eleven-year-old “Cheesie” Mack at camp, it turns out to be the terrific summer he'd looked forward to after all. Lively black-and-white illustrations.
by Steve Cotler
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Although not everything goes as planned for eleven-year-old “Cheesie” Mack at camp, it turns out to be the terrific summer he'd looked forward to after all. Lively black-and-white illustrations.
Chickadee
by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Ojibwe twins Chickadee and Makoons are inseparable until Chickadee is kidnapped. Will they be reunited?
by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Ojibwe twins Chickadee and Makoons are inseparable until Chickadee is kidnapped. Will they be reunited?
Child of the Mountains
by Marilyn Sue Shank
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In 1953 twelve-year-old Lydia confronts poverty, family deaths, and secrets in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.
by Marilyn Sue Shank
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In 1953 twelve-year-old Lydia confronts poverty, family deaths, and secrets in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.