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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Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World
by Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Enjoy a delightful glimpse into the historic relationship between two legendary leaders, Roosevelt and Churchill, and their determination to defend justice throughout the world. Watercolor illustrations based on historical photographs.
by Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Barry Moser
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Enjoy a delightful glimpse into the historic relationship between two legendary leaders, Roosevelt and Churchill, and their determination to defend justice throughout the world. Watercolor illustrations based on historical photographs.
Goal Line
by Tiki Barber
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When ninth grade begins, two young football stars begin to show differences, despite being identical twins.
by Tiki Barber
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When ninth grade begins, two young football stars begin to show differences, despite being identical twins.
Hammerin' Hank Greenberg
by Shelley Sommer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
This comprehensive biography of the famous baseball player explores not only his professional exploits, but also his personal struggles.
by Shelley Sommer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
This comprehensive biography of the famous baseball player explores not only his professional exploits, but also his personal struggles.
Harry Houdini
by Janice Weaver
Illustrator: Chris Lane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
From humble beginnings to death-defying feats, he became a master showman. Resources and notes.
by Janice Weaver
Illustrator: Chris Lane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
From humble beginnings to death-defying feats, he became a master showman. Resources and notes.
Hatch!
written and illustrated by Roxie Munro
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Read the hints and look at the eggs. Can you guess which bird laid them?
written and illustrated by Roxie Munro
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Read the hints and look at the eggs. Can you guess which bird laid them?
Heart and Soul
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A grandmother relates the history of African Americans from the early settlers up to the present. Accompanied by brilliant oil paintings.
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A grandmother relates the history of African Americans from the early settlers up to the present. Accompanied by brilliant oil paintings.
Hidden
by Helen Frost
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Two fourteen-year-olds forge a bond at summer camp, overcoming a shared horrifying past. Told in alternating poetic chapters.
by Helen Frost
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Two fourteen-year-olds forge a bond at summer camp, overcoming a shared horrifying past. Told in alternating poetic chapters.
Horton Halfpott
by Tom Angleberger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In this funny, irreverent tale of the English class system, Horton (the kitchen boy), Luther (m'lady's son), and many others are caught in the web. Humorous pen and ink sketches.
by Tom Angleberger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In this funny, irreverent tale of the English class system, Horton (the kitchen boy), Luther (m'lady's son), and many others are caught in the web. Humorous pen and ink sketches.
How the Leopard Got His Claws
by Chinua Achebe
Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Dog, who is bullied, uses violence to overthrow leopard's peaceful rule of the animal kingdom, compelling leopard to become a brutal leader himself. Powerful illustrations.
by Chinua Achebe
Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Dog, who is bullied, uses violence to overthrow leopard's peaceful rule of the animal kingdom, compelling leopard to become a brutal leader himself. Powerful illustrations.
How Tía Lola Saved the Summer
by Julia Alvarez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When a father, his three daughters and a dog visit her Vermont farm, Tía Lola creates a magical camp that has a profound effect on the lives of the participants.
by Julia Alvarez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When a father, his three daughters and a dog visit her Vermont farm, Tía Lola creates a magical camp that has a profound effect on the lives of the participants.
How to Die of Embarrassment Every Day
written by Ann Hodgman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Author Ann Hodgman shares humorous anecdotes from her childhood--even the embarrassing ones.
written by Ann Hodgman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Author Ann Hodgman shares humorous anecdotes from her childhood--even the embarrassing ones.
Icefall
by Matthew J. Kirby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A Norse king's children are taken to an ice fortress to be kept safe during war. Things change when a traitor is found within.
by Matthew J. Kirby
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A Norse king's children are taken to an ice fortress to be kept safe during war. Things change when a traitor is found within.
Inkblot
written and illustrated by Margaret Peot
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The history and methods of making inkblot art are described with questions to guide your interpretation, image-making, and creative writing.
written and illustrated by Margaret Peot
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The history and methods of making inkblot art are described with questions to guide your interpretation, image-making, and creative writing.
Inside Out & Back Again
by Thanhha Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ha and her family find new battles to fight in Alabama when they flee South Vietnam in 1975.
by Thanhha Lai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ha and her family find new battles to fight in Alabama when they flee South Vietnam in 1975.
Into the Unknown:
by Stewart Ross
Illustrator: Stephen Biesty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourteen historic land and sea expeditions are recounted with fascinating fold-outs and cross sections.
by Stewart Ross
Illustrator: Stephen Biesty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourteen historic land and sea expeditions are recounted with fascinating fold-outs and cross sections.
Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A young Polish Catholic worker saved Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Well documented with bibliography and notes.
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A young Polish Catholic worker saved Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Well documented with bibliography and notes.
I Will Come Back For You
written and illustrated by Marisabina Russo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A grandmother's charm bracelet carries reminders of her childhood as a Jew in Italy before and during the war. Colorful gouache illustrations. Endpapers contain photographs of the author's family.
written and illustrated by Marisabina Russo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A grandmother's charm bracelet carries reminders of her childhood as a Jew in Italy before and during the war. Colorful gouache illustrations. Endpapers contain photographs of the author's family.
Johnny Swanson
by Eleanor Updale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1929, England is still suffering from the loss and injury of World War I. Johnny tries to help his impoverished mother and gets caught up in a murder mystery.
by Eleanor Updale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1929, England is still suffering from the loss and injury of World War I. Johnny tries to help his impoverished mother and gets caught up in a murder mystery.
J.R.R. Tolkien
by Alexandra Wallner
Illustrator: John Wallner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The life of the author of The Lord of the Rings was ordinary, but with his extraordinary imagination he created magical tales. Gentle multimedia illustrations.
by Alexandra Wallner
Illustrator: John Wallner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The life of the author of The Lord of the Rings was ordinary, but with his extraordinary imagination he created magical tales. Gentle multimedia illustrations.
Junonia
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When Alice becomes ten on her annual vacation to Florida, she hopes to find everyone there--but things change and so does Alice.
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When Alice becomes ten on her annual vacation to Florida, she hopes to find everyone there--but things change and so does Alice.
Just Fine the Way They Are
by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge
Illustrator: Richard Walz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The story of American transportation is accompanied by rich, engaging illustrations. Timeline, bibliography, and resources.
by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge
Illustrator: Richard Walz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The story of American transportation is accompanied by rich, engaging illustrations. Timeline, bibliography, and resources.
Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln
written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Brothers Michael and Derek travel back in time to the days after the battle of Antietam. Expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations.
written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Brothers Michael and Derek travel back in time to the days after the battle of Antietam. Expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations.
Katie and the Cupcake Cure
by Coco Simon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Will things get better for Katie, who faces middle school after losing her best friend?
by Coco Simon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Will things get better for Katie, who faces middle school after losing her best friend?
Kennedy Through the Lens:
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Captivating stand-alone chapters illustrate how, for the first time in history, media and technology changed the way we look at our leaders. Comprehensive resources and archival photographs.
by Martin W. Sandler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Captivating stand-alone chapters illustrate how, for the first time in history, media and technology changed the way we look at our leaders. Comprehensive resources and archival photographs.
Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezes from a Single Word
by Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Nancy Doniger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In poems written using the letters in a single word, the poet creates designs on the page and evokes a mood.
by Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Nancy Doniger
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In poems written using the letters in a single word, the poet creates designs on the page and evokes a mood.