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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Big Nate On a Roll
by Lincoln Peirce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Nate's finding his way through crushes, disappointments, a fund-raiser, and friendships--all with humor.
by Lincoln Peirce
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Nate's finding his way through crushes, disappointments, a fund-raiser, and friendships--all with humor.
Big Red
by Jim Kjelgaard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
This beloved adventure, first published in 1945, is about a boy and the Irish setter he is entrusted with.
by Jim Kjelgaard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
This beloved adventure, first published in 1945, is about a boy and the Irish setter he is entrusted with.
Bluefish
by Pat Schmatz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Travis, called “Bluefish” at his old school, gets a new start in eighth grade in his new town, thanks to peer Velveeta and a kind teacher. He grows and builds self confidence.
by Pat Schmatz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Travis, called “Bluefish” at his old school, gets a new start in eighth grade in his new town, thanks to peer Velveeta and a kind teacher. He grows and builds self confidence.
Bobby the Brave (Sometimes)
by Lisa Yee
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourth grader Bobby faces stage fright, a neighbor's cat, asthma, and being different from his family, and it's not always easy.
by Lisa Yee
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourth grader Bobby faces stage fright, a neighbor's cat, asthma, and being different from his family, and it's not always easy.
Bongo Fishing
by Thacher Hurd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A 1960 Dodge Dart, piloted by a small bluish ET named Sam, lands in Berkeley and launches Jason on a series of adventures.
by Thacher Hurd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A 1960 Dodge Dart, piloted by a small bluish ET named Sam, lands in Berkeley and launches Jason on a series of adventures.
Born and Bred in the Great Depression
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The author shares evocative memories of his life during the 1930s as his family struggles to survive. Descriptive watercolors. End paper photographs.
by Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The author shares evocative memories of his life during the 1930s as his family struggles to survive. Descriptive watercolors. End paper photographs.
Breaking Stalin's Nose
by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik is about to join Stalin's Young Pioneers when his own father is arrested by state security officers. Liberally illustrated with black-and-white drawings.
by Eugene Yelchin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik is about to join Stalin's Young Pioneers when his own father is arrested by state security officers. Liberally illustrated with black-and-white drawings.
Calli Be Gold
by Michele Weber Hurwitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The family of Calli, “ordinary” in an overachieving family, learns to appreciate her extraordinary gifts.
by Michele Weber Hurwitz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The family of Calli, “ordinary” in an overachieving family, learns to appreciate her extraordinary gifts.
Camo Girl
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sixth-grader Ella tries to stay loyal to a friend who is retreating into an imaginary life, but she wants to be friends with the popular crowd, too.
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sixth-grader Ella tries to stay loyal to a friend who is retreating into an imaginary life, but she wants to be friends with the popular crowd, too.
Cheat
by Kristin Butcher
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After a high-school journalist writes an article about a cheating scam, she leartns the challenges of journalism and loyalty to family.
by Kristin Butcher
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After a high-school journalist writes an article about a cheating scam, she leartns the challenges of journalism and loyalty to family.
Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything
by Steve Cotler
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can Cheesie Mack and his best friend, Georgie, survive their fifth-grade graduation and solve the mystery of the 1909 penny?
by Steve Cotler
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can Cheesie Mack and his best friend, Georgie, survive their fifth-grade graduation and solve the mystery of the 1909 penny?
Cinderella Smith
by Stephanie Barden
Illustrator: Diane Goode
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Poor Cinderella! She can't hold on to both shoes. When old friends snub her she ends up at the “smart boys table.” A new friend helps.
by Stephanie Barden
Illustrator: Diane Goode
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Poor Cinderella! She can't hold on to both shoes. When old friends snub her she ends up at the “smart boys table.” A new friend helps.
Close to Famous
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After her father's death in Iraq, Foster--an amazing cook--and her mom escape an abusive situation and start a new life in a small West Virginia town.
by Joan Bauer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After her father's death in Iraq, Foster--an amazing cook--and her mom escape an abusive situation and start a new life in a small West Virginia town.
Cool! Whoa! Ah and Oh!: What Is an Interjection?
by Brian P. Cleary
Illustrator: Brian Gable
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Wow! Here is an engaging way to learn grammar through playful rhymes and humorous examples and illustrations.
by Brian P. Cleary
Illustrator: Brian Gable
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Wow! Here is an engaging way to learn grammar through playful rhymes and humorous examples and illustrations.
Cousins of Clouds
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Elephants are celebrated with vibrant, unusual illustrations and amusing, clever poems, accompanied by interesting, factual information on each page.
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Elephants are celebrated with vibrant, unusual illustrations and amusing, clever poems, accompanied by interesting, factual information on each page.
Dragons of Silk
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Several generations of girls and women learn the importance of love and sacrifice-- and the silken thread that ties their family together.
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Several generations of girls and women learn the importance of love and sacrifice-- and the silken thread that ties their family together.
Drawing From Memory
by Allen Say
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Through the masterful blending of original drawings and photographs,. Say recounts his courageous journey as a Japanese youth to develop his artistic talent.
by Allen Say
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Through the masterful blending of original drawings and photographs,. Say recounts his courageous journey as a Japanese youth to develop his artistic talent.
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
written by Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The process from inception to finished recording illuminates the thinking of the jazz master. Watercolor and chalk illustrations. CD included.
written by Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrator: Don Tate
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The process from inception to finished recording illuminates the thinking of the jazz master. Watercolor and chalk illustrations. CD included.
Eat Your Math Homework
by Ann McCallum
Illustrator: Leeza Hernandez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Playfully illustrated rabbits introduce math concepts through recipes.
by Ann McCallum
Illustrator: Leeza Hernandez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Playfully illustrated rabbits introduce math concepts through recipes.
Ellray Jakes is Not a Chicken!
by Sally Warner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can a small African-American third-grade boy stand up to his bullying classmates in a suburban school? Humorous black-and-white ilustrations.
by Sally Warner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can a small African-American third-grade boy stand up to his bullying classmates in a suburban school? Humorous black-and-white ilustrations.
Energy island
by Allan Drummond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Learn how SamsØ, an island in Denmark, used wind and other renewable resources to become energy independent. Cheerful ink and watercolor illustrations.
by Allan Drummond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Learn how SamsØ, an island in Denmark, used wind and other renewable resources to become energy independent. Cheerful ink and watercolor illustrations.
Far From Shore
written and illustrated by Sophie Webb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A day-to-day description of the ocean and its life during a Pacific voyage is enhanced with soft, skillful watercolors.
written and illustrated by Sophie Webb
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A day-to-day description of the ocean and its life during a Pacific voyage is enhanced with soft, skillful watercolors.
Father Abraham
by Harold Holzer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The famous president is described in his role as the busy and extremely indulgent father of a complicated family haunted by tragedy. Archival illustrations.
by Harold Holzer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The famous president is described in his role as the busy and extremely indulgent father of a complicated family haunted by tragedy. Archival illustrations.
Feel the Force
by Tom Adams
Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
What exactly is electricity, magnetism, light? Pop-ups, pull tabs, flaps plus a few experiments explain why things work the way they do.
by Tom Adams
Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
What exactly is electricity, magnetism, light? Pop-ups, pull tabs, flaps plus a few experiments explain why things work the way they do.
For the Birds
by Peggy Thomas
Illustrator: Laura Jacques
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
As a child, Peterson watched, identified, and drew birds. As an adult he was an artist, an author of famous bird guides, and a conservationist.
by Peggy Thomas
Illustrator: Laura Jacques
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
As a child, Peterson watched, identified, and drew birds. As an adult he was an artist, an author of famous bird guides, and a conservationist.