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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Freaky Fast Frankie Joe
by Lutricia Clifton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When his mother ends up in jail, eleven-year-old Frankie Joe must leave his trailer park friends in Texas and move in with the father he has never known.
by Lutricia Clifton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When his mother ends up in jail, eleven-year-old Frankie Joe must leave his trailer park friends in Texas and move in with the father he has never known.
George Bellows
by Robert Burleigh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Born in 1882, the American Ashcan School artist George Bellows painted painful scenes including a lonely tenement and a bloody boxing match. Reprints of Bellows's paintings included.
by Robert Burleigh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Born in 1882, the American Ashcan School artist George Bellows painted painful scenes including a lonely tenement and a bloody boxing match. Reprints of Bellows's paintings included.
Get the Scoop on Animal Poop!
by Dawn Cusick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
All animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies, and they do it with many different purposes and methods. Accessible facts presented with humor.
by Dawn Cusick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
All animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies, and they do it with many different purposes and methods. Accessible facts presented with humor.
Glory Be
by Augusta Scattergood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In Mississippi in 1964, eleven-year-old Glory must learn some hard lessons about civil rights, friendship, and growing up.
by Augusta Scattergood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In Mississippi in 1964, eleven-year-old Glory must learn some hard lessons about civil rights, friendship, and growing up.
Goblin Secrets
by William Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In a scary but beautifully told tale, Rownie escapes his witch-grandmother, Graba, and joins a Goblin actor's group.
by William Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In a scary but beautifully told tale, Rownie escapes his witch-grandmother, Graba, and joins a Goblin actor's group.
Graveyard Shift
by Chris Westwood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Friendless Ben becomes the protégé of strange Mr. October in the Ministry of Pandemonium, guiding lost souls to the afterlife and guarding them from evil forces.
by Chris Westwood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Friendless Ben becomes the protégé of strange Mr. October in the Ministry of Pandemonium, guiding lost souls to the afterlife and guarding them from evil forces.
Growing Up Muslim
by Sumbul Ali-Karamali
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn about the teachings of the Qur'an, Ramadan, the hadj, and more. The author also explains the similarities to Christianity and Judaism and the differences between them.
by Sumbul Ali-Karamali
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learn about the teachings of the Qur'an, Ramadan, the hadj, and more. The author also explains the similarities to Christianity and Judaism and the differences between them.
Guys Read The Sports Pages
edited by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Competitiveness, striving, friendship, and abuse on and off various sports fields are depicted in fiction and nonfiction accounts by different authors. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
edited by Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Competitiveness, striving, friendship, and abuse on and off various sports fields are depicted in fiction and nonfiction accounts by different authors. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Hades
by George O'Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When the Greek god who rules the underworld decides to take a wife, the chosen one's life changes dramatically--and so does the entire world. Vivid detailed graphic art.
by George O'Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When the Greek god who rules the underworld decides to take a wife, the chosen one's life changes dramatically--and so does the entire world. Vivid detailed graphic art.
Hand in Hand
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
From Benjamin Banneker to Barack Obama, these ten men effected profoundly important changes. Dynamic full-color portraits.
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
From Benjamin Banneker to Barack Obama, these ten men effected profoundly important changes. Dynamic full-color portraits.
Hands Around the Library
by Susan L. Roth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
As demonstrators headed towards the Library of Alexandria in Egypt during the Arab Spring, some joined hands around the building to protect it from destruction. Mixed-media collages.
by Susan L. Roth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
As demonstrators headed towards the Library of Alexandria in Egypt during the Arab Spring, some joined hands around the building to protect it from destruction. Mixed-media collages.
Heart of Stone
by M. L. Welsh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Verity and her friends confront the evil Earth Witch who is trying to erase all stories with happy endings. (Sequel to Mistress of the Storm.)
by M. L. Welsh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Verity and her friends confront the evil Earth Witch who is trying to erase all stories with happy endings. (Sequel to Mistress of the Storm.)
Hound Dog True
by Linda Urban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Mattie, a painfully shy fifth grader, learns to develop friendships and value herself with the help of her Uncle Potluck
by Linda Urban
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Mattie, a painfully shy fifth grader, learns to develop friendships and value herself with the help of her Uncle Potluck
Ice!
by Laurence Pringle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Before electrical refrigeration, it kept our perishables fresh. Learn how ice was cut and delivered for a hundred years. Archival illustrations and photographs.
by Laurence Pringle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Before electrical refrigeration, it kept our perishables fresh. Learn how ice was cut and delivered for a hundred years. Archival illustrations and photographs.
Iceberg, Right Ahead!
by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson, photos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Captivating personal stories and archival photographs create a detailed, nuanced account of the famous shipwreck.
by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson, photos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Captivating personal stories and archival photographs create a detailed, nuanced account of the famous shipwreck.
Ice Island
by Sherry Shahan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In Alaska, thirteen-year-old Tatum dreams of participating in the Iditarod, but instead finds herself in a battle to survive.
by Sherry Shahan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In Alaska, thirteen-year-old Tatum dreams of participating in the Iditarod, but instead finds herself in a battle to survive.
I, Galileo
written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Accessible text and elegant illustrations depict Galileo's life. Maps and diagrams enhance understanding of his world.
written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Accessible text and elegant illustrations depict Galileo's life. Maps and diagrams enhance understanding of his world.
I Lay My Stitches Down
by Cynthia Grady
Illustrator: Michele Wood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The extraordinary meshing of quiltmaking and poetry patterns evokes the emotions and ordeals of American slaves. Bold, powerful illustrations. Well referenced.
by Cynthia Grady
Illustrator: Michele Wood
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The extraordinary meshing of quiltmaking and poetry patterns evokes the emotions and ordeals of American slaves. Bold, powerful illustrations. Well referenced.
In a Glass Grimmly
by Adam Gidwitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
With great story-telling ability, the author combines fairy tales and nursery rhymes into a scary and humorous narrative.
by Adam Gidwitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
With great story-telling ability, the author combines fairy tales and nursery rhymes into a scary and humorous narrative.
Invincible Microbe
by Jim Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The social and medical history of the ravages of tuberculosis and search for a cure is presented in a highly readable fashion. Archival photographs.
by Jim Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The social and medical history of the ravages of tuberculosis and search for a cure is presented in a highly readable fashion. Archival photographs.
It Jes'Happened
by Don Tate
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Considered an important folk artist, former slave Bill Traylor began to draw in 1939 at the age of 85. Colorful illustrations in Traylor's style.
by Don Tate
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Considered an important folk artist, former slave Bill Traylor began to draw in 1939 at the age of 85. Colorful illustrations in Traylor's style.
I've Lost My Hippopotamus
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Real and imaginary animals depicted in clever, humorous verse and silly pictures provide wonderful, challenging word play. A treat as a Read Aloud.
by Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Jackie Urbanovic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Real and imaginary animals depicted in clever, humorous verse and silly pictures provide wonderful, challenging word play. A treat as a Read Aloud.
Jake and Lily
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Lily and Jake tell their stories, exploring their bond as twins. As they grow, each develops an individual life.
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Lily and Jake tell their stories, exploring their bond as twins. As they grow, each develops an individual life.
Jean Laffite
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Jeff Himmelman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Share in the adventures of the Jewish privateer who helped the United States defeat the English in the War of 1812. Bold digital illustrations.
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Jeff Himmelman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Share in the adventures of the Jewish privateer who helped the United States defeat the English in the War of 1812. Bold digital illustrations.
Justin Case
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Justin is an excellent worrier. But having survived third grade, he thinks he should try going to day camp, despite his parents' misgivings. Can he do it? Humorous black-and-white illustrations add to the fun.
by Rachel Vail
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Justin is an excellent worrier. But having survived third grade, he thinks he should try going to day camp, despite his parents' misgivings. Can he do it? Humorous black-and-white illustrations add to the fun.