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 Enemy
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two enemy soldiers have been taught to believe the worst about each other and wonder if war is necessary. Spare but effective line drawings.
by Davide Cali
Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Two enemy soldiers have been taught to believe the worst about each other and wonder if war is necessary. Spare but effective line drawings.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Jacqueline Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 1899 Texas, the only girl in a large family is torn between her scientific aspirations and traditional family roles.
by Jacqueline Kelly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 1899 Texas, the only girl in a large family is torn between her scientific aspirations and traditional family roles.
The Farwalker's Quest
by Joni Sensel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-olds Ariel and Zeke uncover special talents that bring hope to a wartorn land.
by Joni Sensel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-olds Ariel and Zeke uncover special talents that bring hope to a wartorn land.
The Gecko & Sticky
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this energetic romp, 13-year-old Dave and his sidekick Sticky engage in another battle with arch-villain Damien. Humorous black and white illustrations.
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this energetic romp, 13-year-old Dave and his sidekick Sticky engage in another battle with arch-villain Damien. Humorous black and white illustrations.
The Gecko & Sticky
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this zany adventure, 13-year-old Dave and Sticky (a talking gecko) battle an evil villain for magic Aztec ingots. Humorous black and white illustrations.
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In this zany adventure, 13-year-old Dave and Sticky (a talking gecko) battle an evil villain for magic Aztec ingots. Humorous black and white illustrations.
The Georges and the Jewels
by Jane Smiley
Illustrator: Elaine Clayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 1960s California, seventh-grader Abby works on her family's horse farm while coping with her strict father and school problems.
by Jane Smiley
Illustrator: Elaine Clayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
In 1960s California, seventh-grader Abby works on her family's horse farm while coping with her strict father and school problems.
The Giant-Slayer
by Iain Lawrence
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Laurie's magical stories of dragons, gnomes, and a fearless young hero allow children confined to iron-lung machines to travel beyond the confines of the polio ward.
by Iain Lawrence
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Laurie's magical stories of dragons, gnomes, and a fearless young hero allow children confined to iron-lung machines to travel beyond the confines of the polio ward.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies
by Mick Cochrane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Molly keeps the memory of her dead father vivid by using his favorite knuckleball which wins her a place on the baseball team.
by Mick Cochrane
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Molly keeps the memory of her dead father vivid by using his favorite knuckleball which wins her a place on the baseball team.
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
12-year-old friends since preschool grow apart as their interests become more and more diverse. A wise and appealing depiction of middle school crises.
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
12-year-old friends since preschool grow apart as their interests become more and more diverse. A wise and appealing depiction of middle school crises.
The Last Leopard
by Lauren St. John
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Martine uses her special powers over animals to save the last leopard of Zimbabwe.
by Lauren St. John
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
11-year-old Martine uses her special powers over animals to save the last leopard of Zimbabwe.
The Last Newspaper Boy in America
by Sue Corbett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When he reaches age twelve and becomes his town's newspaper boy, Wil must fight to save his job and his town.
by Sue Corbett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When he reaches age twelve and becomes his town's newspaper boy, Wil must fight to save his job and his town.
The Magician's Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A ten-year-old orphan, Peter, meets a fortune teller, setting off a remarkable chain of events and a search for his sister, once presumed dead.
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A ten-year-old orphan, Peter, meets a fortune teller, setting off a remarkable chain of events and a search for his sister, once presumed dead.
The Mealworm Diaries
by Anna Kerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After a terrible accident, Jeremy faces many challenges, including adjusting to a new school and having the class's social outcast as his science partner.
by Anna Kerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After a terrible accident, Jeremy faces many challenges, including adjusting to a new school and having the class's social outcast as his science partner.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Eleven-year-old Homer searches for his older brother in the Union Army and encounters a confederate spy, a noble preacher, a balloonist, and even the Battle of Gettysburg.
by Rodman Philbrick
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Eleven-year-old Homer searches for his older brother in the Union Army and encounters a confederate spy, a noble preacher, a balloonist, and even the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Museum of Mary Child
by Cassandra Golds
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
There is neither beauty nor love in Heloise's life, but, with a little magic, she finds both in a haunting fairy tale.
by Cassandra Golds
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
There is neither beauty nor love in Heloise's life, but, with a little magic, she finds both in a haunting fairy tale.
The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes
by Kelly Easton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With the aid of her evil father's potions, Liberty seeks her destiny in a wacky world of talking animals, scoundrels, and enablers.
by Kelly Easton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With the aid of her evil father's potions, Liberty seeks her destiny in a wacky world of talking animals, scoundrels, and enablers.
The Problem with the Puddles
by Kate Feiffer
Illustrator: Tricia Tusa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A most exasperating family deals with their beloved lost dogs. Line drawings.
by Kate Feiffer
Illustrator: Tricia Tusa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
A most exasperating family deals with their beloved lost dogs. Line drawings.
The Rock and the River
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Though his father preaches non-violence, Sam's older brother gets involved with the Black Panthers. Which one will Sam follow?
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Though his father preaches non-violence, Sam's older brother gets involved with the Black Panthers. Which one will Sam follow?
The Seven Keys of Balabad
by Paul Haven
Illustrator: Mark Zug
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-old Oliver and his friend Zee locate an ancient Middle Eastern treasure and restore it to its rightful owner.
by Paul Haven
Illustrator: Mark Zug
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-old Oliver and his friend Zee locate an ancient Middle Eastern treasure and restore it to its rightful owner.
The Troll's-Eye View
edited by Ellen Datlow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With tales that range from funny to creepy, well-known authors rewrite classic fairy tales from the villain's point of view.
edited by Ellen Datlow
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
With tales that range from funny to creepy, well-known authors rewrite classic fairy tales from the villain's point of view.
The Unfinished Angel
by Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When an angel encounters Zola, a colorful young American girl with a mission, life in a small Swiss mountain village turns upside-down.
by Sharon Creech
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When an angel encounters Zola, a colorful young American girl with a mission, life in a small Swiss mountain village turns upside-down.
The Year the Swallows Came Early
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
“Groovy” Robinson is furious with her father who has gambled away her inheritance. Can she forgive him as she becomes more self-reliant?
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
“Groovy” Robinson is furious with her father who has gambled away her inheritance. Can she forgive him as she becomes more self-reliant?
Tofu Quilt
by Ching Yeung Russell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The life and dreams of a young girl growing up in Hong Kong in the 1950s vividly unfolds in blank verse.
by Ching Yeung Russell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
The life and dreams of a young girl growing up in Hong Kong in the 1950s vividly unfolds in blank verse.
Top of the Order
by John Coy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Can a Little League team adjust to having a girl play second base for them?
by John Coy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Can a Little League team adjust to having a girl play second base for them?
Tumtum and Nutmeg
by Emily Bearn
Illustrator: Nick Price
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Living in a neglected cottages's closet, the Nuthouses find themselves caught up in unexpected adventures.
by Emily Bearn
Illustrator: Nick Price
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Living in a neglected cottages's closet, the Nuthouses find themselves caught up in unexpected adventures.