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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Roots and Blues:
by Arnold Adoff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The history of African Americans from pre-slavery days to the present is reflected in these connected poems about the development of the blues. Powerful, acrylic paintings.
by Arnold Adoff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The history of African Americans from pre-slavery days to the present is reflected in these connected poems about the development of the blues. Powerful, acrylic paintings.
Saga of the Sioux
by Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The story of the Sioux frontier resettlement, told from a Native American perspective, is adapted from Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Archival photographs.
by Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The story of the Sioux frontier resettlement, told from a Native American perspective, is adapted from Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Archival photographs.
Saraswati's Way
by Monika Schröder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Akash, an Indian street child, uses his wits, his integrity, his math skills, and his devotion to a Hindu goddess to guide him toward his dream of a higher education.
by Monika Schröder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Akash, an Indian street child, uses his wits, his integrity, his math skills, and his devotion to a Hindu goddess to guide him toward his dream of a higher education.
Saving Zasha
by Randi Barrow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In Russia after World War II, two brothers find a German shepherd and struggle to keep it at a time when anything related to their enemy was routinely destroyed.
by Randi Barrow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In Russia after World War II, two brothers find a German shepherd and struggle to keep it at a time when anything related to their enemy was routinely destroyed.
School!
by Kate McMullan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A cast of characters identified by their “funny names” interact in this fast-paced romp with lessons to be learned. Line drawings capture the zaniness.
by Kate McMullan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A cast of characters identified by their “funny names” interact in this fast-paced romp with lessons to be learned. Line drawings capture the zaniness.
Seabird in the Forest
written and ill. by Joan Dunning
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Where does the marbled murrelet nest and raise young? After many years of searching, scientists found the surprising answer. Lush, textured illustrations.
written and ill. by Joan Dunning
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Where does the marbled murrelet nest and raise young? After many years of searching, scientists found the surprising answer. Lush, textured illustrations.
Season of Secrets
by Sally Nicholls
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After the death of their mother, Molly and Hannah are sent by their dad to live with grandparents. To cope with the situation, Hannah acts out, but Molly finds an imaginary world.
by Sally Nicholls
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
After the death of their mother, Molly and Hannah are sent by their dad to live with grandparents. To cope with the situation, Hannah acts out, but Molly finds an imaginary world.
Secrets at Sea
by Richard Peck
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A family of mice follow their human family onto a ship bound for Victorian London, where they meet with “high society.”
by Richard Peck
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A family of mice follow their human family onto a ship bound for Victorian London, where they meet with “high society.”
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Blue Gem
by Murray Shaw
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Who can catch the thief of a blue jewel found in the throat of a Christmas goose?
by Murray Shaw
Illustrator: Sophie Rohrbach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Who can catch the thief of a blue jewel found in the throat of a Christmas goose?
Sidekicks
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Despite the opposition of his pets, Captain Amazing attempts to enlist a new sidekick. Dro;; pictures and text.
written and illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Despite the opposition of his pets, Captain Amazing attempts to enlist a new sidekick. Dro;; pictures and text.
Small as an Elephant
by Jennifer Richard Jacabson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When eleven-year-old Jack awakes on the first morning of his anticipated vacation in Acadia National Park, the rented car is gone, his mother has vanished.
by Jennifer Richard Jacabson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When eleven-year-old Jack awakes on the first morning of his anticipated vacation in Acadia National Park, the rented car is gone, his mother has vanished.
Small Persons With Wings
by Ellen Booraem
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Adventure and magic lead thirteen-year-old Mellie to real friendship and the truth about fairies.
by Ellen Booraem
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Adventure and magic lead thirteen-year-old Mellie to real friendship and the truth about fairies.
Spinster Goose:
written by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Tartly satiric poems for children who have outgrown the traditional nursery rhymes. Sophisticated ink and watercolor illustrations.
written by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Tartly satiric poems for children who have outgrown the traditional nursery rhymes. Sophisticated ink and watercolor illustrations.
Starfields
by Carolyn Marsden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Although they're from different cultures, Rosalba and Alicia have become friends. But what can an illiterate Mayan girl contribute to their shared project of saving the frogs?
by Carolyn Marsden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Although they're from different cultures, Rosalba and Alicia have become friends. But what can an illiterate Mayan girl contribute to their shared project of saving the frogs?
Steel
by Carrie Vaughn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Jill has lost a fencing tournament, but her skill enables her to triumph during a swashbuckling time travel adventure with Caribbean pirates.
by Carrie Vaughn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sixteen-year-old Jill has lost a fencing tournament, but her skill enables her to triumph during a swashbuckling time travel adventure with Caribbean pirates.
Storm Runners
by Roland Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When their schoolbus is destroyed by a violent by a violent hurricane, Chase and two schoolmates must use all their skill and judgment to escape and survive.
by Roland Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When their schoolbus is destroyed by a violent by a violent hurricane, Chase and two schoolmates must use all their skill and judgment to escape and survive.
Sylvia & Aki
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
An unlikely bond develops between two girls, as each is caught up in her own form of racial segregation. Based on actual events. Bibliography included.
by Winifred Conkling
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
An unlikely bond develops between two girls, as each is caught up in her own form of racial segregation. Based on actual events. Bibliography included.
Tales From India
by Jamila Gavin
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Meet Brahma, Lakshini, Ravana, and other Hindu god and goddesses in their journeys and adventures. Exquisite Indian miniature style gouache illustrations.
by Jamila Gavin
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Meet Brahma, Lakshini, Ravana, and other Hindu god and goddesses in their journeys and adventures. Exquisite Indian miniature style gouache illustrations.
Tall Story
by Candy Gourlay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
English-born Andi is crazy about basketball. Will her eight-foot tall half brother, newly arrived from the Philippines, help or hinder her school sports career?
by Candy Gourlay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
English-born Andi is crazy about basketball. Will her eight-foot tall half brother, newly arrived from the Philippines, help or hinder her school sports career?
The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Barry Blitt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
“Told” in highly humorous style by one of Twain's most famous characters, this picture book biography is illustrated in equally exaggerated funny pen, ink and watercolor paintings.
by Robert Burleigh
Illustrator: Barry Blitt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
“Told” in highly humorous style by one of Twain's most famous characters, this picture book biography is illustrated in equally exaggerated funny pen, ink and watercolor paintings.
The Boy at the End of the World
by Greg van Eekhout
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Pod-boy travels with a robot and a mammoth in a dying, inhospitable world.
by Greg van Eekhout
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Pod-boy travels with a robot and a mammoth in a dying, inhospitable world.
The Boy Who Wanted to Cook
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Steve Adams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ten-year-old Pierre yearns to be a chef at his family's restaurant, but his parents think he's too young. Can he convince them to give him a chance? Expressive illustrations.
by Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Steve Adams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Ten-year-old Pierre yearns to be a chef at his family's restaurant, but his parents think he's too young. Can he convince them to give him a chance? Expressive illustrations.
The Cheshire Cheese Cat
by Carmen Agra Deedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A cat and a mouse, each with a secret, become unlikely friends in a London inn frequented by Charles Dickens.
by Carmen Agra Deedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
A cat and a mouse, each with a secret, become unlikely friends in a London inn frequented by Charles Dickens.
The Drop
by Jeff Ross
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Alex's trial run for acceptance into the Snowboarding Division of the Backcountry Patrol in British Columbia becomes a test of man against nature.
by Jeff Ross
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Alex's trial run for acceptance into the Snowboarding Division of the Backcountry Patrol in British Columbia becomes a test of man against nature.
The Elephant Scientist
written by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Magnificent, close-up photographs help to describe the communication, group behavior and more about African elephants in their native habitat.
written by Caitlin O'Connell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Magnificent, close-up photographs help to describe the communication, group behavior and more about African elephants in their native habitat.