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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The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman
by Meg Wolitzer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Duncan, Nate, and April tackle the challenges of Scrabble while resolving mysteries and conundrums in their own lives.
by Meg Wolitzer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Duncan, Nate, and April tackle the challenges of Scrabble while resolving mysteries and conundrums in their own lives.
The Great Hamster Massacre
written by Katie Davies
Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Anna and Tom finally overcome their parents' objection to a new pet--with disastrous results. A funny import from Britain with lively black-and-white illustrations.
written by Katie Davies
Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Anna and Tom finally overcome their parents' objection to a new pet--with disastrous results. A funny import from Britain with lively black-and-white illustrations.
The Great Migration
by Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Representative figures give voice to one of the great demographic shifts in United States history. Evocative collage illustrations.
by Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Representative figures give voice to one of the great demographic shifts in United States history. Evocative collage illustrations.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Looking forward to her sixth-grade year of friendships and basketball, Chinese American Lucy meets her stumbling blocks-- head on.
by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Looking forward to her sixth-grade year of friendships and basketball, Chinese American Lucy meets her stumbling blocks-- head on.
The Hidden Gallery
by Maryrose Wood
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Three feral children (supposedly raised by wolves) now live in a grand house and are ready to visit London, accompanied by their intrepid governess.
by Maryrose Wood
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Three feral children (supposedly raised by wolves) now live in a grand house and are ready to visit London, accompanied by their intrepid governess.
The House Baba Built
by Ed Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In multi-media illustrations, the artist creates a captivating portrait of his childhood in World War II Shanghai and pays tribute to his remarkable father.
by Ed Young
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In multi-media illustrations, the artist creates a captivating portrait of his childhood in World War II Shanghai and pays tribute to his remarkable father.
The Lemonade Crime
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Money disappears from the pocket of brother Evan's shorts and Jessie has a good idea who's responsible. A trial of prime suspect, Scott, involves their fourth grade class with surprising results.
by Jacqueline Davies
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Money disappears from the pocket of brother Evan's shorts and Jessie has a good idea who's responsible. A trial of prime suspect, Scott, involves their fourth grade class with surprising results.
The Lovely Shoes
by Susan Shreve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourteen-year-old Franny won't go to any more high school dances because of her deformed right foot-- but her mother has a plan.
by Susan Shreve
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Fourteen-year-old Franny won't go to any more high school dances because of her deformed right foot-- but her mother has a plan.
The Luck of the Buttons
by Anne Ylvisaker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Tugs becomes suspicious of a dapper newcomer to her small Iowa town and helps prevent everyone getting swindled.
by Anne Ylvisaker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Twelve-year-old Tugs becomes suspicious of a dapper newcomer to her small Iowa town and helps prevent everyone getting swindled.
The Manatee Scientists
written by Peter Lourie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Are manatees fish or mammals, mermaids or elephants? Find the answers in this stunning exploration that includes excellent photographs, fun facts, resources, and glossary.
written by Peter Lourie
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Are manatees fish or mammals, mermaids or elephants? Find the answers in this stunning exploration that includes excellent photographs, fun facts, resources, and glossary.
The Many Faces of George Washington
by Carla Killough McClafferty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Busts of Washington, created to illustrate key moments in history, were developed for a project at Mount Vernon. Photographs, notes, bibliography, and timeline included.
by Carla Killough McClafferty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Busts of Washington, created to illustrate key moments in history, were developed for a project at Mount Vernon. Photographs, notes, bibliography, and timeline included.
The Midnight Tunnel
by Angie Frazier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When little Maddie goes missing, no one takes Zanna's theories seriously-- not even her uncle, a famous detective. Set in New Brunswick in 1904.
by Angie Frazier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
When little Maddie goes missing, no one takes Zanna's theories seriously-- not even her uncle, a famous detective. Set in New Brunswick in 1904.
The Mysteries of Angkor Wat
written and photographed by Richard Sobol
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Learn about a photographer's personal exploration of these fascinating ruins for clues about ancient Khmer people and their link to present-day Cambodian culture. Extraordinary photographs.
written and photographed by Richard Sobol
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Learn about a photographer's personal exploration of these fascinating ruins for clues about ancient Khmer people and their link to present-day Cambodian culture. Extraordinary photographs.
The Ogre of Oglefort
by Eva Ibbotson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Orphan Ivo, a Hag, a troll, and a wizard are sent to rescue Princess Mirella from the fearsome Ogre. But in Oglefort, very little is as it seems.
by Eva Ibbotson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Orphan Ivo, a Hag, a troll, and a wizard are sent to rescue Princess Mirella from the fearsome Ogre. But in Oglefort, very little is as it seems.
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
During a summer vacation in Maine, three sisters in this loving family help discover the truth.
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
During a summer vacation in Maine, three sisters in this loving family help discover the truth.
The Popularity Papers
by Amy Ignatow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Best friends Julie and Lydia are separated as they are about to enter junior high. Is their dream of being popular doomed? Cartoon illustrations.
by Amy Ignatow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Best friends Julie and Lydia are separated as they are about to enter junior high. Is their dream of being popular doomed? Cartoon illustrations.
The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter
by Kristen Tracy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Named after America's fearless first woman aviator, Bessica is scared to begin middle school without her best friend but then she finds her niche.
by Kristen Tracy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Named after America's fearless first woman aviator, Bessica is scared to begin middle school without her best friend but then she finds her niche.
The Romeo and Juliet Code
by Phoebe Stone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sent to safety with her Maine grandmother on the eve of World War II, British eleven-year-old Felicity solves a family mystery and changes several lives.
by Phoebe Stone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Sent to safety with her Maine grandmother on the eve of World War II, British eleven-year-old Felicity solves a family mystery and changes several lives.
The Spaghetti Detectives
by Andreas Steinhofel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can a boy with learning disabilities use a strand of spaghetti and a red airplane to find a kidnapped friend? Set in Berlin.
by Andreas Steinhofel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Can a boy with learning disabilities use a strand of spaghetti and a red airplane to find a kidnapped friend? Set in Berlin.
The Star Maker
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Taunted by an older cousin, Chester makes a promise he may not be able to keep: to give everyone fireworks for New Years Eve.
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Taunted by an older cousin, Chester makes a promise he may not be able to keep: to give everyone fireworks for New Years Eve.
The Story of Christmas
From the King James Bible
Illustrator: Pamela Dalton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Detailed cut paper and watercolor artwork richly evokes the story of Jesus's birth.
From the King James Bible
Illustrator: Pamela Dalton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Detailed cut paper and watercolor artwork richly evokes the story of Jesus's birth.
The Summer Before Boys
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The summer before she turns thirteen, Julia learns what real friendship is while waiting for her mother to return from duty in Iraq.
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
The summer before she turns thirteen, Julia learns what real friendship is while waiting for her mother to return from duty in Iraq.
The Trouble with May Amelia
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1900, twelve-year-old May Amelia has to be strong to live in her large Finnish-American family with seven brothers. Evocative pen and ink illustrations.
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
In 1900, twelve-year-old May Amelia has to be strong to live in her large Finnish-American family with seven brothers. Evocative pen and ink illustrations.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
illustrated by Laurel Long
Illustrator: Laurel Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Highly detailed illustrations invite the reader to find the gifts of each of twelve days of Christmas on each page.
illustrated by Laurel Long
Illustrator: Laurel Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
Highly detailed illustrations invite the reader to find the gifts of each of twelve days of Christmas on each page.
The Wise Fool
by Shahrukh Husain
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
These traditional tales are enhanced with colorful collage illustrations.
by Shahrukh Husain
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2011
These traditional tales are enhanced with colorful collage illustrations.