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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Secret Diary
written and illustrated by Julien Neel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Boys and men (and grandma) complicate Lou's and her mom‘s life in these upbeat full-color graphic novels.
written and illustrated by Julien Neel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Boys and men (and grandma) complicate Lou's and her mom‘s life in these upbeat full-color graphic novels.
Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave
by Deron R. Hicks
Illustrator: Mark Edward Geyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Teenage siblings Colophon and Case Letterford put aside their rivalries and work together to save the family's 400-year-old publishing business. Black-and-white pen and ink line drawings.
by Deron R. Hicks
Illustrator: Mark Edward Geyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Teenage siblings Colophon and Case Letterford put aside their rivalries and work together to save the family's 400-year-old publishing business. Black-and-white pen and ink line drawings.
Seeing Cinderella
by Jenny Lundquist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Callie's new glasses see more than what's before her. Insight into her friends' thinking deepens this middle-schooler's vision.
by Jenny Lundquist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Callie's new glasses see more than what's before her. Insight into her friends' thinking deepens this middle-schooler's vision.
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of Black Peter
based on the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The famous detective lets you in on his deductive reasoning as he discovers who murdered a nasty seaman. Dynamic graphics enliven the mystery. Bibliography and background information.
based on the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The famous detective lets you in on his deductive reasoning as he discovers who murdered a nasty seaman. Dynamic graphics enliven the mystery. Bibliography and background information.
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box
based on the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Join the master sleuth who solves a double murder and explains his brilliant reasoning. Graphic art in a muted palette adds to the suspense. Bibliography and background information.
based on the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Join the master sleuth who solves a double murder and explains his brilliant reasoning. Graphic art in a muted palette adds to the suspense. Bibliography and background information.
Silent Star
by Bill Wise
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Although he couldn't hear his teammates calling plays, William Hoy became one of baseball's greatest outfielders. Realistic muted oils.
by Bill Wise
Illustrator: Adam Gustavson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Although he couldn't hear his teammates calling plays, William Hoy became one of baseball's greatest outfielders. Realistic muted oils.
Sophia's War
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In British-occupied New York, Sophia vows to revenge her patriot brother's death by foiling the plot of a dashing officer and an infamous American traitor.
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
In British-occupied New York, Sophia vows to revenge her patriot brother's death by foiling the plot of a dashing officer and an infamous American traitor.
So, You Want to be a Writer?
by Vicki Hambleton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The authors provide inspiration and concrete tips on the entire writing process. Includes a list of places accepting childrens' work.
by Vicki Hambleton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
The authors provide inspiration and concrete tips on the entire writing process. Includes a list of places accepting childrens' work.
Spirit Seeker
by Gary Golio
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Told through vibrant acrylic and mixed-media illustrations and engaging text, this famous jazz musician's life story comes alive. You can almost hear the music.
by Gary Golio
Illustrator: Rudy Gutierrez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Told through vibrant acrylic and mixed-media illustrations and engaging text, this famous jazz musician's life story comes alive. You can almost hear the music.
Splendors and Glooms
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
After a master puppeteer performs at her twelfth birthday party, Clara disappears. Has she been kidnapped or did she run away?
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
After a master puppeteer performs at her twelfth birthday party, Clara disappears. Has she been kidnapped or did she run away?
Spy School
by Stuart Gibbs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Can a kid become a superstar secret agent? Twelve-year-old Ben leaves his public school to attend the CIA's secret Espionage Academy
by Stuart Gibbs
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Can a kid become a superstar secret agent? Twelve-year-old Ben leaves his public school to attend the CIA's secret Espionage Academy
Steve Jobs
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
During his lifetime, the unique Steve Jobs was driven to create many wonderful devices that alter our lives in profound ways. A compelling read.
by Patricia Lakin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
During his lifetime, the unique Steve Jobs was driven to create many wonderful devices that alter our lives in profound ways. A compelling read.
Summer at Forsaken Lake
by Michael D. Beil
Illustrator: Maggie Kneen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learning to sail and solving a family mystery create an unforgettable summer for twelve-year-old Nicholas, his ten-year-old twin sisters, and his new friend Charlie. Subtly shaded black-and-white illustrations.
by Michael D. Beil
Illustrator: Maggie Kneen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Learning to sail and solving a family mystery create an unforgettable summer for twelve-year-old Nicholas, his ten-year-old twin sisters, and his new friend Charlie. Subtly shaded black-and-white illustrations.
Summer of the Gypsy Moths
by Sara Pennypacker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When Great-Aunt Louise dies unexpectedly, her eleven-year-old wards, grandniece Stella and a foster child, Angel, must find a way to survive in unimaginable circumstances.
by Sara Pennypacker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When Great-Aunt Louise dies unexpectedly, her eleven-year-old wards, grandniece Stella and a foster child, Angel, must find a way to survive in unimaginable circumstances.
Summer of the Mariposas
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When five sisters discover a body in a Texan river, they embark on adventures that rekindle their sense of family and connection to their Aztec heritage. Also available in Spanish.
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When five sisters discover a body in a Texan river, they embark on adventures that rekindle their sense of family and connection to their Aztec heritage. Also available in Spanish.
Technology
by Clive Gifford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Everything from space vehicles, cell phones and roller coasters can be explained. Young techies will love this information, photographs, and timelines.
by Clive Gifford
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Everything from space vehicles, cell phones and roller coasters can be explained. Young techies will love this information, photographs, and timelines.
Temple Grandin
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Overcoming enormous obstacles, Grandin became a pioneer in engineering systems for the humane treatment of animals and changed our understanding of what people with autism can achieve.
by Sy Montgomery
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Overcoming enormous obstacles, Grandin became a pioneer in engineering systems for the humane treatment of animals and changed our understanding of what people with autism can achieve.
Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far)
by Ann M. Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A canceled vacation trip and a fight with her best friend are among the many things fifth-grader Pearl has to deal with after her father loses his job.
by Ann M. Martin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A canceled vacation trip and a fight with her best friend are among the many things fifth-grader Pearl has to deal with after her father loses his job.
The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr., aka Houdini
by Peter Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Inspired by the classroom visit of a writer, a thirteen-year-old learns to be observant and writes a novel about his friends and enemies and their families, including a brother in Iraq.
by Peter Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Inspired by the classroom visit of a writer, a thirteen-year-old learns to be observant and writes a novel about his friends and enemies and their families, including a brother in Iraq.
The Amazing Harry Kellar
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Before Houdini there was Keller, a master illusionist who set the standard for magicians everywhere. Timeline, sources, notes, bibliographies, and resources.
by Gail Jarrow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
Before Houdini there was Keller, a master illusionist who set the standard for magicians everywhere. Timeline, sources, notes, bibliographies, and resources.
The Art of Miss Chew
written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A long-term substitute teacher sees only her reading difficulty, but Tricia's talent is nurtured when Mr. Donovan sends her to Miss Chew's special art class. Colorful representational paintings.
written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A long-term substitute teacher sees only her reading difficulty, but Tricia's talent is nurtured when Mr. Donovan sends her to Miss Chew's special art class. Colorful representational paintings.
The Bell Bandit
by Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Cara Llewellyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When the New Year's bell goes missing, Jessie enlists her new friend, Maxwell to use his unusual skills to solve the mystery. Black-and-white pen and ink illustrations.
by Jacqueline Davies
Illustrator: Cara Llewellyn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
When the New Year's bell goes missing, Jessie enlists her new friend, Maxwell to use his unusual skills to solve the mystery. Black-and-white pen and ink illustrations.
The Book of Wonders
by Jasmine Richards
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
To defeat an evil sultan, thirteen-year-old friends Zardi and Rhidan must cope with pirates, djinns, magic, and snakes.
by Jasmine Richards
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
To defeat an evil sultan, thirteen-year-old friends Zardi and Rhidan must cope with pirates, djinns, magic, and snakes.
The Boston Tea Party
by Russell Freedman
Illustrator: Peter Malone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A thoroughly engaging account of the Tea Party is meticulously researched. Bibliography, time line, source notes. Watercolor illustrations.
by Russell Freedman
Illustrator: Peter Malone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2012
A thoroughly engaging account of the Tea Party is meticulously researched. Bibliography, time line, source notes. Watercolor illustrations.