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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Ottoline goes to School
written and ill. by Chris Riddell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Ottoline and her dog Mr. Monroe come up with a clever plan to deal with a haunted school in this partly graphic novel.
written and ill. by Chris Riddell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Ottoline and her dog Mr. Monroe come up with a clever plan to deal with a haunted school in this partly graphic novel.
Peace, Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Brother and sister Lonnie and Lili live in different foster families, but letters, visits, and supportive caregivers nurture hope and memories of family.
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Brother and sister Lonnie and Lili live in different foster families, but letters, visits, and supportive caregivers nurture hope and memories of family.
Persephone
by Sally Pomme Clayton
Illustrator: Virginia Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Lyrical text and richly detailed illustrations tell the Greek myth that expains why there is winter.
by Sally Pomme Clayton
Illustrator: Virginia Lee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Lyrical text and richly detailed illustrations tell the Greek myth that expains why there is winter.
Pippo the Fool
by Tracey E. Fern
Illustrator: Pau Estrada
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 15th-century Florence, a clever man creates a magnificent dome for the town's cathedral, one that may still be seen today. Based on a true story.
by Tracey E. Fern
Illustrator: Pau Estrada
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 15th-century Florence, a clever man creates a magnificent dome for the town's cathedral, one that may still be seen today. Based on a true story.
Princess of the Midnight Ball
by Jessica Day George
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The twelve dancing princesses are saved from their debilitating curse by a clever and courageous young gardener in this refreshing retelling.
by Jessica Day George
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The twelve dancing princesses are saved from their debilitating curse by a clever and courageous young gardener in this refreshing retelling.
Road to Revolution!
by Susan Champlin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two teenagers become involved in the American Revolution in this portrayal of the events leading up to the war. An epilogue indicates the differences between fact and fiction.
by Susan Champlin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two teenagers become involved in the American Revolution in this portrayal of the events leading up to the war. An epilogue indicates the differences between fact and fiction.
Road to Tater Hill
by Edith M. Hemingway
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
One day is just not long enough for a baby sister to live. Annie's longed for mountain summer is not working out.
by Edith M. Hemingway
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
One day is just not long enough for a baby sister to live. Annie's longed for mountain summer is not working out.
Roman Diary
by Richard Platt
Illustrator: David Parkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In her fictional diary, a wealthy Greek girl who has become a Roman slave reveals the differences between Greek and Roman culture. Detailed watercolors.
by Richard Platt
Illustrator: David Parkins
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In her fictional diary, a wealthy Greek girl who has become a Roman slave reveals the differences between Greek and Roman culture. Detailed watercolors.
Runaway Twin
by Peg Kehret
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After a difficult journey to unite with her twin, Sunny realizes that home is where there is love and caring.
by Peg Kehret
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After a difficult journey to unite with her twin, Sunny realizes that home is where there is love and caring.
Scat
by Carl Hiaasen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Mean Mrs. Starch, science teacher, disappeared on the swamp field trip. Marta and Nick solve the mystery and gain respect for their teacher.
by Carl Hiaasen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Mean Mrs. Starch, science teacher, disappeared on the swamp field trip. Marta and Nick solve the mystery and gain respect for their teacher.
Secrets, Lies and My Sister Kate
by Belinda Hollyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Mini's big sister Kate has been acting odd lately. Is there a family secret? Does Mini really want to know?
by Belinda Hollyer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Mini's big sister Kate has been acting odd lately. Is there a family secret? Does Mini really want to know?
Secrets of Greymoor
by Clara Gillow Clark
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Hattie needs friends and lies about her circumstances to gain them. A secret code leads her to important truths.
by Clara Gillow Clark
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Hattie needs friends and lies about her circumstances to gain them. A secret code leads her to important truths.
Skeleton Key: The Graphic Novel
by Anthony Horowitz
Illustrator: Kanako Damerum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In action-packed graphic panels, the fourteen-year-old super spy saves the world from destruction.
by Anthony Horowitz
Illustrator: Kanako Damerum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In action-packed graphic panels, the fourteen-year-old super spy saves the world from destruction.
Solving Zoe
by Barbara Dee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Sixth-grader Zoe learns about her family, skills, and friendships when she discovers her talent for cryptography.
by Barbara Dee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Sixth-grader Zoe learns about her family, skills, and friendships when she discovers her talent for cryptography.
Special Edward
by Eric Walters
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
To make school easier and get the privileges of special education students, Ed pretends he has a series of learning difficulties--and discovers he really does.
by Eric Walters
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
To make school easier and get the privileges of special education students, Ed pretends he has a series of learning difficulties--and discovers he really does.
Standing for Socks
by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Sixth-grader Fara finds that individuality and conformity are not nearly as different as they seem, but ultimately succeeds in true expression.
by Elissa Brent Weissman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Sixth-grader Fara finds that individuality and conformity are not nearly as different as they seem, but ultimately succeeds in true expression.
Sunny Holiday
by Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Life isn't always easy in Riverview Towers, but Sunny is determined to make things better and celebrate every month of the year.
by Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Life isn't always easy in Riverview Towers, but Sunny is determined to make things better and celebrate every month of the year.
T4
by Ann Clare LeZotte
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A deaf girl living in Nazi Germany must go into hiding to be safe from Hitler's death decree against disabled people.
by Ann Clare LeZotte
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A deaf girl living in Nazi Germany must go into hiding to be safe from Hitler's death decree against disabled people.
The Beautiful Stories of Life
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Tales of Pandora, Psyche, and four other characters of Greek mythology are retold with elegance and clarity and complemented by delicate black-and-white illustrations.
by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Tales of Pandora, Psyche, and four other characters of Greek mythology are retold with elegance and clarity and complemented by delicate black-and-white illustrations.
The Blue Shoe
by Roderick Townley
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Greed and villainy put thirteen-year-olds Hap and Sophie through very hard times, but good triumphs.
by Roderick Townley
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Greed and villainy put thirteen-year-olds Hap and Sophie through very hard times, but good triumphs.
The Books of Umber
by P.W. Catanese
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When twelve-year-old Happenstance wakes, he has no idea who he is. Lord Umber protects him in this story of other times and places.
by P.W. Catanese
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When twelve-year-old Happenstance wakes, he has no idea who he is. Lord Umber protects him in this story of other times and places.
The Cats of Roxville Station
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A once-domestic cat, helped by humans, learns to survive among feral cats.
by Jean Craighead George
Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A once-domestic cat, helped by humans, learns to survive among feral cats.
The Christmas Genie
by Dan Gutman
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A genie raises the possibility that a class can agree on one wish.
by Dan Gutman
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A genie raises the possibility that a class can agree on one wish.
The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes
by Marlane Kennedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Although not thrilled about caring for her family's drooling Saint Bernard, Charlotte comes to be concerned about his fate.
by Marlane Kennedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Although not thrilled about caring for her family's drooling Saint Bernard, Charlotte comes to be concerned about his fate.
The Dragon of Trelian
by Michelle Knudsen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A mage-in-training, a resourceful princess, and a young dragon just coming into his powers team up to save the kingdom of Trelian.
by Michelle Knudsen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A mage-in-training, a resourceful princess, and a young dragon just coming into his powers team up to save the kingdom of Trelian.