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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Lexie
by Audrey Couloumbis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Expecting a one-on-one beach vacation with her divorced dad, Lexie reluctantly learns to accept his fiancée and her two sons.
by Audrey Couloumbis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Expecting a one-on-one beach vacation with her divorced dad, Lexie reluctantly learns to accept his fiancée and her two sons.
Liesl & Po
by Lauren Oliver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A whimsical ghost, Po, and his familiar, Bundle, give depth to this story of a wicked stepmother, a magic potion, and a girl on a quest.
by Lauren Oliver
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A whimsical ghost, Po, and his familiar, Bundle, give depth to this story of a wicked stepmother, a magic potion, and a girl on a quest.
Lights on the Nile
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In ancient Egypt, a young girl accompanied by her pet baboon seeks the help of the gods when she is forced to travel up the Nile.
by Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In ancient Egypt, a young girl accompanied by her pet baboon seeks the help of the gods when she is forced to travel up the Nile.
Maggie and Oliver or A Bone of One's Own
by Valerie Hobbs
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A stray dog and an orphaned ten-year-old girl suffer poverty and homelessness until they find each other and a home.
by Valerie Hobbs
Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A stray dog and an orphaned ten-year-old girl suffer poverty and homelessness until they find each other and a home.
Marching with Aunt Susan
by Claire Rudolf Murphy
Illustrator: Stacey Schuett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1896 in Berkeley, California, a young girl , inspired by a speech of Susan B. Anthony, joins the struggle to pass a law allowing women to vote.
by Claire Rudolf Murphy
Illustrator: Stacey Schuett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1896 in Berkeley, California, a young girl , inspired by a speech of Susan B. Anthony, joins the struggle to pass a law allowing women to vote.
Marco Polo
by Clint Twist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fascinating fold-outs and removable maps enhance this portrayal of Marco Polo's 20-year journey and visit to China, based primarily on Polo's own writings. Illustrated with photos and reproductions of artifacts.
by Clint Twist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fascinating fold-outs and removable maps enhance this portrayal of Marco Polo's 20-year journey and visit to China, based primarily on Polo's own writings. Illustrated with photos and reproductions of artifacts.
Maximillian: The Mystery of the Guardian Angel
by Xavier Garza
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Maximillian worships lucha libre wrestlers. Then, unexpectedly, finds himself closer to his hero than ever imagined. Black-and-white illustrations.
by Xavier Garza
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Maximillian worships lucha libre wrestlers. Then, unexpectedly, finds himself closer to his hero than ever imagined. Black-and-white illustrations.
Me & Jack
by Danette Haworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After Air Force brat Joshua moves with his dad to a new town, he rescues an unusual Pharoah hound and fights to keep him after the dog, Jack, is accused of killing local animals.
by Danette Haworth
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After Air Force brat Joshua moves with his dad to a new town, he rescues an unusual Pharoah hound and fights to keep him after the dog, Jack, is accused of killing local animals.
Mimi
written by John Newman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Mimi has been hit by a bus and the family is falling apart. Will the efforts and love of Mimi's extended Irish family allow them all to heal?
written by John Newman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Mimi has been hit by a bus and the family is falling apart. Will the efforts and love of Mimi's extended Irish family allow them all to heal?
Missile Mouse
written and illustrated by Jake Parker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Galactic Security Agent Missile Mouse must battle Blazing Bat to free Tankium3 and its enslaved inhabitants from the evil King Bognarsh in this graphic adventure.
written and illustrated by Jake Parker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Galactic Security Agent Missile Mouse must battle Blazing Bat to free Tankium3 and its enslaved inhabitants from the evil King Bognarsh in this graphic adventure.
Missing on Superstition Mountain
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Why does every adult seem so scared of Superstition Mountain? The three Barker brothers are determined to find out.
by Elise Broach
Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Why does every adult seem so scared of Superstition Mountain? The three Barker brothers are determined to find out.
My Life as a Stuntboy
by Janet Tashjian
Illustrator: Jake Tashjian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A twelve-year-old boy who struggles to read finds his life becoming complicated when he is chosen to perform stunts in a movie. Humorously told.
by Janet Tashjian
Illustrator: Jake Tashjian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A twelve-year-old boy who struggles to read finds his life becoming complicated when he is chosen to perform stunts in a movie. Humorously told.
My Name is Mina and I love the Night
by David Almond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Because her view of the world is different, nine-year-old Mina is home-schooled by her mother and records her creativity in her journal. Sensitively written.
by David Almond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Because her view of the world is different, nine-year-old Mina is home-schooled by her mother and records her creativity in her journal. Sensitively written.
Never Forgotten
by Patricia C. McKissack
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Nomadic Musafa, an African boy apprenticed to his blacksmith father, is captured and enslaved. Verse lament accompanied by woodcut style illustrations.
by Patricia C. McKissack
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Nomadic Musafa, an African boy apprenticed to his blacksmith father, is captured and enslaved. Verse lament accompanied by woodcut style illustrations.
No Passengers Beyond This Point
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When India, Finn and Mouse are sent to live with their uncle, their journey becomes a mysterious adventure.
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When India, Finn and Mouse are sent to live with their uncle, their journey becomes a mysterious adventure.
Nurse, Soldier, Spy
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: John Hendrix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Disguised as a man during the Civil War, Sarah Edmonds fought bravely, performed grueling work as a nurse, and undertook dangerous spy missions. Evocative, detailed multimedia illustrations.
by Marissa Moss
Illustrator: John Hendrix
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Disguised as a man during the Civil War, Sarah Edmonds fought bravely, performed grueling work as a nurse, and undertook dangerous spy missions. Evocative, detailed multimedia illustrations.
Odd Ball
by Timothy Tocher
Illustrator: Stacy Curtis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Black-and-white cartoon-like illustrations and a combination of facts and humor make this fun to read.
by Timothy Tocher
Illustrator: Stacy Curtis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Black-and-white cartoon-like illustrations and a combination of facts and humor make this fun to read.
Outback
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After breaking up with his girl friend, fifteen-year-old Jayden agrees to accompany his eccentric herpetologist uncle into the dangerously remote Australian outback.
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After breaking up with his girl friend, fifteen-year-old Jayden agrees to accompany his eccentric herpetologist uncle into the dangerously remote Australian outback.
Pearl Verses the World
by Sally Murphy
Illustrator: Heather Potter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In amusing free verse and soft black and white illustrations, Pearl expresses how lonely she feels at school, but loved and secure at home until her grandmother's illness.
by Sally Murphy
Illustrator: Heather Potter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In amusing free verse and soft black and white illustrations, Pearl expresses how lonely she feels at school, but loved and secure at home until her grandmother's illness.
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
by Jonathan Auxier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Stolen magical eyes give ten-year-old Peter, a blind orphaned thief, the chance to be an unlikely hero.
by Jonathan Auxier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Stolen magical eyes give ten-year-old Peter, a blind orphaned thief, the chance to be an unlikely hero.
Pie
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After the death of Aunt Polly, an extraordinary baker of pies, ten-year-old Alice learns how to overcome her sadness while solving the mystery of the pie crust recipe.
by Sarah Weeks
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After the death of Aunt Polly, an extraordinary baker of pies, ten-year-old Alice learns how to overcome her sadness while solving the mystery of the pie crust recipe.
Pit Pony
by Joyce Barkhouse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The only good thing about working in the coal mines for eleven-year-old Willie is the time spent with his beloved pit pony. Tender black-and-white illustrations.
by Joyce Barkhouse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The only good thing about working in the coal mines for eleven-year-old Willie is the time spent with his beloved pit pony. Tender black-and-white illustrations.
Planet Middle School
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Jjoylin's transition from child to adolescent is told in free verse. School, sports, boys, and home all contribute to acceptance of her teen persona.
by Nikki Grimes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Jjoylin's transition from child to adolescent is told in free verse. School, sports, boys, and home all contribute to acceptance of her teen persona.
Possum Summer
by Jen K. Blom
Illustrator: Omar Rayyan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
An eleven-year-old girl's love of animals leads her to make bad, sometimes dangerous choices in this heart-warming story of life on an Oklahoma cattle ranch.
by Jen K. Blom
Illustrator: Omar Rayyan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
An eleven-year-old girl's love of animals leads her to make bad, sometimes dangerous choices in this heart-warming story of life on an Oklahoma cattle ranch.
Reptiles
by Mark Hutchinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and tortoises are explored in clear text with exciting photographs. Glossary.
by Mark Hutchinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and tortoises are explored in clear text with exciting photographs. Glossary.