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/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
Forge
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Encamped with Washington's army at Valley Forge, the escaped slave Curzon suffers cold, hunger, and the injustices of prejudice, but finds hope in the appearance of a beloved friend.
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Encamped with Washington's army at Valley Forge, the escaped slave Curzon suffers cold, hunger, and the injustices of prejudice, but finds hope in the appearance of a beloved friend.
Girl's Best Friend
by Leslie Margolis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Maggie, a twelve-year-old dog walker, solves a mystery concerning disappearing dogs.
by Leslie Margolis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Maggie, a twelve-year-old dog walker, solves a mystery concerning disappearing dogs.
Guys Read
edited by Jon Scieszka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Engaging and funny stories about contemporary boys are written by current well-known authors.
edited by Jon Scieszka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Engaging and funny stories about contemporary boys are written by current well-known authors.
Half Upon a Time
by James Riley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Jack avoids his grandfather's pleas to marry a princess until one plops from the sky, and they embark on an adventure to find her missing grandmother, who looks suspiciously like Snow White.
by James Riley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Jack avoids his grandfather's pleas to marry a princess until one plops from the sky, and they embark on an adventure to find her missing grandmother, who looks suspiciously like Snow White.
Hawksmaid
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Against the background of the Crusades, ‘Robin Hood' and supernaturally gifted falconress, ‘Maid Marian' struggle to help the poor and defeat Prince John's self-serving plots.
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Against the background of the Crusades, ‘Robin Hood' and supernaturally gifted falconress, ‘Maid Marian' struggle to help the poor and defeat Prince John's self-serving plots.
Hereville
written and ill. by Barry Deutsch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
A sharp, funny story of an Orthodox Jewish girl fighting imaginary dragons, real pigs, and bullies in her small town. The Yiddish words are defined on each page.
written and ill. by Barry Deutsch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
A sharp, funny story of an Orthodox Jewish girl fighting imaginary dragons, real pigs, and bullies in her small town. The Yiddish words are defined on each page.
How to Get Rich on a Texas Cattle Drive
by Tod Olson
Illustrator: Scott Allred
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
What was it really like to be a cowboy? You'll be surprised at some of the things you'll learn! Evocative illustrations and archival photographs.
by Tod Olson
Illustrator: Scott Allred
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
What was it really like to be a cowboy? You'll be surprised at some of the things you'll learn! Evocative illustrations and archival photographs.
How to Survive Middle School
by Donna Gephart
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
A new school and a truly scary bully test old friendships and challenge David, but his on-line videos bring him local fame.
by Donna Gephart
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
A new school and a truly scary bully test old friendships and challenge David, but his on-line videos bring him local fame.
I, Emma Freke
by Elizabeth Atkinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Twelve-year-old Emma feels out of place with kids her age and at home, but when she's invited to a mysterious family reunion, things begin to change.
by Elizabeth Atkinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Twelve-year-old Emma feels out of place with kids her age and at home, but when she's invited to a mysterious family reunion, things begin to change.
Is It Night or Day?
by Fern Schumer Chapman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In 1938, fearing Hitler's persecution, twelve-year-old Edith is sent alone to the United States where she encounters anti-Semitism and difficult relations with her uncle's family, and experiences life in a foreign country.
by Fern Schumer Chapman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In 1938, fearing Hitler's persecution, twelve-year-old Edith is sent alone to the United States where she encounters anti-Semitism and difficult relations with her uncle's family, and experiences life in a foreign country.
Ivy's Ever After
by Dawn Lairamore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When she discovers the evil intentions of her intended husband, fourteen-year-old Princess Ivy sets out to thwart his plans.
by Dawn Lairamore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When she discovers the evil intentions of her intended husband, fourteen-year-old Princess Ivy sets out to thwart his plans.
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend
by Cora Harrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Austen's teenage years are depicted in a series of journal entries written by her cousin. Includes snippets of her early writings. Facts about her life are intermingled with fiction.
by Cora Harrison
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Austen's teenage years are depicted in a series of journal entries written by her cousin. Includes snippets of her early writings. Facts about her life are intermingled with fiction.
Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation
by Matt Myklusch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
An orphan boy finds himself transported to a world of superheroes where he must discover his own identity and prove himself worthy of forging his own future.
by Matt Myklusch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
An orphan boy finds himself transported to a world of superheroes where he must discover his own identity and prove himself worthy of forging his own future.
Journey into the Deep
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Scientists explore the ocean from the surface to its depths to discover new species of life. Brilliant photographs, glossary, and bibliography.
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Scientists explore the ocean from the surface to its depths to discover new species of life. Brilliant photographs, glossary, and bibliography.
Layla, Queen of Hearts
by Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Layla, with the help of her friends the Silks, finds Miss Amelie to be her companion for Senior Citizen's Day.
by Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Layla, with the help of her friends the Silks, finds Miss Amelie to be her companion for Senior Citizen's Day.
Leaving Gee's Bend
by Irene Latham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In a tiny African-American settlement in 1932 Alabama, ten-year-old Ludelphia is determined - despite great risk and difficulty -- to get her gravely ill mother the medical help she needs.
by Irene Latham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In a tiny African-American settlement in 1932 Alabama, ten-year-old Ludelphia is determined - despite great risk and difficulty -- to get her gravely ill mother the medical help she needs.
Liars and Fools
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When her father becomes interested in a psychic, Fiona half hopes she is lying and half that she can contact her mother, who died in a sailing accident.
by Robin Stevenson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When her father becomes interested in a psychic, Fiona half hopes she is lying and half that she can contact her mother, who died in a sailing accident.
Little Blog on the Prairie
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When Genevieve has to spend her summer at an 1890s “pioneer” camp, she secretly sends text messages to her friends.
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
When Genevieve has to spend her summer at an 1890s “pioneer” camp, she secretly sends text messages to her friends.
Lone Wolf
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In this anthropomorphic tale, Faolin, a wolf pup torn from his mother because of a deformity and nurtured by a grizzly, must find his way back to his “own kind” .
by Kathryn Lasky
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
In this anthropomorphic tale, Faolin, a wolf pup torn from his mother because of a deformity and nurtured by a grizzly, must find his way back to his “own kind” .
Lost in Lexicon
by Pendred Noyce
Illustrator: Joan Charles
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Thirteen-year-old cousins Daphne and Ivan stumble into a world where punctuation attacks the people. They encounter keepers and enemies but emerge triumphant. Gentle black-and-white illustrations.
by Pendred Noyce
Illustrator: Joan Charles
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Thirteen-year-old cousins Daphne and Ivan stumble into a world where punctuation attacks the people. They encounter keepers and enemies but emerge triumphant. Gentle black-and-white illustrations.
Me and Rolly Maloo
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Elizabeth Buttler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
What is Jenna to do? She's a math whiz but she'd like to extend her group of friends. Is giving a test answer cheating or charity?
by Janet S. Wong
Illustrator: Elizabeth Buttler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
What is Jenna to do? She's a math whiz but she'd like to extend her group of friends. Is giving a test answer cheating or charity?
Melonhead and the Big Stink
by Katy Kelly
Illustrator: Gillian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Fifth-grader Adam “Melonhead” Melon tries to behave well enough to earn a trip to see the gigantic flower giving off the “big stink.”
by Katy Kelly
Illustrator: Gillian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Fifth-grader Adam “Melonhead” Melon tries to behave well enough to earn a trip to see the gigantic flower giving off the “big stink.”
Museum of Thieves
by Lian Tanner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
The evil guardians of Jewel, and their cohort, the Fugleman, cannot defeat brave Goldie, Toadspit, and the museum protectors. An exciting adventure.
by Lian Tanner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
The evil guardians of Jewel, and their cohort, the Fugleman, cannot defeat brave Goldie, Toadspit, and the museum protectors. An exciting adventure.
My Invisible Sister
by Beatrice Colin
Illustrator: Sara Pinto
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Ten-year-old Frank's older sister is invisible and, not being too happy with her predicament,makes trouble in the family's new neighborhood.
by Beatrice Colin
Illustrator: Sara Pinto
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Ten-year-old Frank's older sister is invisible and, not being too happy with her predicament,makes trouble in the family's new neighborhood.
My Life as a Book
by Janet Tashjian
Illustrator: Jake Tashjian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Twelve-year-old “reluctant reader” Derek copes with summer reading, Learning Camp, and a decade-old mystery. Amusing vocabulary cartoons.
by Janet Tashjian
Illustrator: Jake Tashjian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Twelve-year-old “reluctant reader” Derek copes with summer reading, Learning Camp, and a decade-old mystery. Amusing vocabulary cartoons.