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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Zora and Me
by Victoria Bond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Even as a child, Zora Neale Hurston was a prodigious storyteller. And whenever her vivid imagination ran away with her, her supportive family and community were there to help.
by Victoria Bond
Ages: 9+
Published: 2010
Even as a child, Zora Neale Hurston was a prodigious storyteller. And whenever her vivid imagination ran away with her, her supportive family and community were there to help.
11 Birthdays
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Can eleven-year-olds Amanda and Leo mend their friendship and escape the bizarre time-loop they're caught in?
by Wendy Mass
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Can eleven-year-olds Amanda and Leo mend their friendship and escape the bizarre time-loop they're caught in?
Abigail Iris
by Lisa Glatt
Illustrator: Joy Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abigail goes on vacation with her best friend and experiences San Francisco and a very different kind of family.
by Lisa Glatt
Illustrator: Joy Allen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abigail goes on vacation with her best friend and experiences San Francisco and a very different kind of family.
A Faraway Island
by Annika Thor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Stephanie and Nellie are sent to foster families in Sweden to avoid the horrors of persecution in Vienna.
by Annika Thor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Stephanie and Nellie are sent to foster families in Sweden to avoid the horrors of persecution in Vienna.
Airman
by Eoin Colfer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this adventurous 1890's alternative history, teen-age Conor has lived a charmed life until he is wrongly accused and unjustly imprisoned.
by Eoin Colfer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this adventurous 1890's alternative history, teen-age Conor has lived a charmed life until he is wrongly accused and unjustly imprisoned.
Al Capone Shines My Shoes
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Living on Alcatraz with his prison-guard father, Moose asked Al Capone for help. Funny, exciting sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts.
by Gennifer Choldenko
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Living on Alcatraz with his prison-guard father, Moose asked Al Capone for help. Funny, exciting sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Alien Expedition
by Pamela F. Service
Illustrator: Mike Gorman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Zack, a young alien, is sent to Mongolia to ensure that a Tirgizian expedition doesn't disrupt interplanetary relations. Dynamic black and white illustrations.
by Pamela F. Service
Illustrator: Mike Gorman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Zack, a young alien, is sent to Mongolia to ensure that a Tirgizian expedition doesn't disrupt interplanetary relations. Dynamic black and white illustrations.
Also Known as Harper
by Ann Haywood Leal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Fifth-grader Harper loves poetry--especially her own. When family circumstances preclude her appearing in the poetry contest, Harper finds a way.
by Ann Haywood Leal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Fifth-grader Harper loves poetry--especially her own. When family circumstances preclude her appearing in the poetry contest, Harper finds a way.
Alvin Ho
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With the help of his dad and the support of his uncle, Alvin conquers his fears. Both text and black-and-white illustrations are delightfully humorous.
by Lenore Look
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With the help of his dad and the support of his uncle, Alvin conquers his fears. Both text and black-and-white illustrations are delightfully humorous.
Archipelago
by David Ward
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
12-year-old Jonah accompanies his science-photographer mother to remote Canadian islands where he experiences an exciting time shift.
by David Ward
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
12-year-old Jonah accompanies his science-photographer mother to remote Canadian islands where he experiences an exciting time shift.
Bloodline
by Katy Moran
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In Anglo-Saxon Britain, two boys from warring tribes form an unusual bond.
by Katy Moran
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In Anglo-Saxon Britain, two boys from warring tribes form an unusual bond.
Blue Mountain Trouble
by Martin Mordecai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In a small Jamaican village, eleven-year-old twins Pollyread and Jackson deal with difficult changes--some of them quite unexpected.
by Martin Mordecai
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In a small Jamaican village, eleven-year-old twins Pollyread and Jackson deal with difficult changes--some of them quite unexpected.
Book One: The Shadow Door
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After finding a mysterious passageway into Elsewhere, will these friends survive long enough to find their way out? Thought balloons and art are easy to follow.
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After finding a mysterious passageway into Elsewhere, will these friends survive long enough to find their way out? Thought balloons and art are easy to follow.
Book Three: The Master of Shadows
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
See: The Elsewhere Chronicles Book One
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
See: The Elsewhere Chronicles Book One
Book Two: The Shadow Spies
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
See: The Elsewhere Chronicles Book One
by Nykko
Illustrator: Bannister
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
See: The Elsewhere Chronicles Book One
Born to Fly
by Michael Ferrari
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Bird McGill realizes her dream in an unexpected adventure set in World War II Rhode Island where anti-Japanese feeling is high.
by Michael Ferrari
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Bird McGill realizes her dream in an unexpected adventure set in World War II Rhode Island where anti-Japanese feeling is high.
Chasing Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The plot and assassination of our sixteenth president, followed by the search for his killer, is related as a thrilling mystery.
by James L. Swanson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The plot and assassination of our sixteenth president, followed by the search for his killer, is related as a thrilling mystery.
City Boy
by Jan Michael
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When Sam's mother dies of AIDS, he must move from Malawi's capital to a small village to live with his aunt's family.
by Jan Michael
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When Sam's mother dies of AIDS, he must move from Malawi's capital to a small village to live with his aunt's family.
Clay Man
retold by Irene N. Watts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In a 16th-century ghetto, a young boy watches his rabbi father mold a huge figure out of clay hoping he'll protect the Jewish people during dangerous times.
retold by Irene N. Watts
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In a 16th-century ghetto, a young boy watches his rabbi father mold a huge figure out of clay hoping he'll protect the Jewish people during dangerous times.
Confetti Girl
by Diana López
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two contemporary Mexican-American girls in Texas try to get their parents together. Spanish sayings are scattered throughout.
by Diana López
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two contemporary Mexican-American girls in Texas try to get their parents together. Spanish sayings are scattered throughout.
Cursing Columbus
by Eve Tal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Raizel expects joy and fulfillment as Mama, her brother, and sister finally immigrate to America, but her courage is further tested.
by Eve Tal
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Raizel expects joy and fulfillment as Mama, her brother, and sister finally immigrate to America, but her courage is further tested.
Dancing Through the Snow
by Jean Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abandoned when she was little and having experienced four foster homes, 11-year-old Min is wary and surprised at the turn her life has taken.
by Jean Little
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abandoned when she was little and having experienced four foster homes, 11-year-old Min is wary and surprised at the turn her life has taken.
David Mortimore Baxter
by Karen Tayleur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Hilarity ensues when David Baxter ‘s family agrees to be in a reality TV program.
by Karen Tayleur
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Hilarity ensues when David Baxter ‘s family agrees to be in a reality TV program.
Dying to Meet You
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two unexpected residents of his rented house aggravate, then aid, author I. B. Grumply. Told through letters and other primary source documents. Entertaining ink sketches.
by Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two unexpected residents of his rented house aggravate, then aid, author I. B. Grumply. Told through letters and other primary source documents. Entertaining ink sketches.
Extra Credit
by Andrew Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abby in Illinois and Sadeed in Afghanistan connect as pen pals and confront the misconceptions and hostility of two very different cultures.
by Andrew Clements
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Abby in Illinois and Sadeed in Afghanistan connect as pen pals and confront the misconceptions and hostility of two very different cultures.