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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Umbrella Summer
by Lisa Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When ten-year-old Anne struggles to come to terms with the death of her brother, help comes from very unexpected places.
by Lisa Graff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
When ten-year-old Anne struggles to come to terms with the death of her brother, help comes from very unexpected places.
When the Whistle Blows
by Fran Cannon Slayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Life in a small West Virginia train town in the 1940s is depicted in a series of Halloween vignettes.
by Fran Cannon Slayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Life in a small West Virginia train town in the 1940s is depicted in a series of Halloween vignettes.
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Is time travel possible? Who is sending mysterious notes to a sixth grader in 1970's New York City?
by Rebecca Stead
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Is time travel possible? Who is sending mysterious notes to a sixth grader in 1970's New York City?
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
written and ill. by Grace Lin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Enchanted by her father's stories, Minli sets off on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon and her family's fortune. Inspired by many Chinese folk tales and enriched with jewel-like illustrations.
written and ill. by Grace Lin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Enchanted by her father's stories, Minli sets off on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon and her family's fortune. Inspired by many Chinese folk tales and enriched with jewel-like illustrations.
Wicked Will
by Bailey MacDonald
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Tom Pryne protects a secret of his own as he tries to solve a local murder with the high-spirited, young Will Shakespeare of Stratford.
by Bailey MacDonald
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Tom Pryne protects a secret of his own as he tries to solve a local murder with the high-spirited, young Will Shakespeare of Stratford.
Wild Girl
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-old Lidie arrives in New York from Brazil, and a young foal leaves its mare. Their parallel journeys are marked by growth in new environments.
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Twelve-year-old Lidie arrives in New York from Brazil, and a young foal leaves its mare. Their parallel journeys are marked by growth in new environments.
Wild River
by P.J. Petersen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Unatheletic, twelve-year-old Ryan is determined to save his older brother when a kayaking trip turns dangerous.
by P.J. Petersen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
Unatheletic, twelve-year-old Ryan is determined to save his older brother when a kayaking trip turns dangerous.
Wild Things
by Clay Carmichael
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After 11-year-old Zoe leaves her miserable former existence, she and a stray cat share a yearning to trust and love near the enchanting Carolina woods.
by Clay Carmichael
Ages: 9+
Published: 2009
After 11-year-old Zoe leaves her miserable former existence, she and a stray cat share a yearning to trust and love near the enchanting Carolina woods.
10 Lucky Things that have happened to me since I nearly got hit by lightning
by Mary Hershey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After her father's imprisonment, Effie's life has begun to improve until an old friend of her mother's comes to stay.
by Mary Hershey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After her father's imprisonment, Effie's life has begun to improve until an old friend of her mother's comes to stay.
A Boy Named Beckoning
adapted and ill. by Gina Capaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Sold into slavery, Dr. Carlos Montezuma overcomes incredible obstacles to become a doctor and an advocate for Native American rights.
adapted and ill. by Gina Capaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Sold into slavery, Dr. Carlos Montezuma overcomes incredible obstacles to become a doctor and an advocate for Native American rights.
Acting Out
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Whether it's about Edgar Allen Poe at twelve or dancing in detention, this collection makes for a great read and a great incentive to perform.
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Whether it's about Edgar Allen Poe at twelve or dancing in detention, this collection makes for a great read and a great incentive to perform.
All the Lovely Bad Ones
by Mary Downing Hahn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Travis and Corey plan to revive Fox Hill's ghosts only to find that they are the ones being haunted.
by Mary Downing Hahn
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Travis and Corey plan to revive Fox Hill's ghosts only to find that they are the ones being haunted.
Along Came Spider
by James Preller
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A fifth grade friendship is put to the test when Trey's special needs come to the fore.
by James Preller
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A fifth grade friendship is put to the test when Trey's special needs come to the fore.
Always With You
by Ruth Vander Zee
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A moving account of a child's survival against terrible odds during the Vietnam War is accompanied by poignant watecolor and pencil illustrations.
by Ruth Vander Zee
Illustrator: Ronald Himler
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A moving account of a child's survival against terrible odds during the Vietnam War is accompanied by poignant watecolor and pencil illustrations.
Antsy Does Time
by Neal Susterman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A friend with a weird disease and a beautiful older sister inspires an eighth-grade Brooklyn boy to find a creative way to help.
by Neal Susterman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A friend with a weird disease and a beautiful older sister inspires an eighth-grade Brooklyn boy to find a creative way to help.
A Thousand Never Evers
by Shana Burg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1963, twelve-year-old Addie shares the trials and tribulations that personalize the civil rights struggle in her small Mississippi town.
by Shana Burg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1963, twelve-year-old Addie shares the trials and tribulations that personalize the civil rights struggle in her small Mississippi town.
Aurelie
by Heather Tomlinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Princess Aurelie and her good friends Netta and Gavin are key players in the battle between two warring kingdoms.
by Heather Tomlinson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Princess Aurelie and her good friends Netta and Gavin are key players in the battle between two warring kingdoms.
Baseball Crazy
edited by Nancy E. Mercado
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Whether you're on the mound, at the plate, warming the benches or cheering in the stands, it's all about the national pastime.
edited by Nancy E. Mercado
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Whether you're on the mound, at the plate, warming the benches or cheering in the stands, it's all about the national pastime.
Beanball
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A near-fatal baseball injury causes a range of reactions including fifteen-year-old Luke's need to examine his own feelings and relationships.
by
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A near-fatal baseball injury causes a range of reactions including fifteen-year-old Luke's need to examine his own feelings and relationships.
Bird
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Shadra Strickland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A;young boy deals with great loss through his art, his love of birds and a strong friendship.
by Zetta Elliott
Illustrator: Shadra Strickland
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A;young boy deals with great loss through his art, his love of birds and a strong friendship.
Bird Lake Moon
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Angry and fearful about his parents' divorce, Mitch meets Spencer, who has his own secrets.
by Kevin Henkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Angry and fearful about his parents' divorce, Mitch meets Spencer, who has his own secrets.
Boost
by Kathy Mackel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
“Six feet two and growing.” Savvy must cope with making the basketball team in a new state and the jealousy of her beautiful younger sister.
by Kathy Mackel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
“Six feet two and growing.” Savvy must cope with making the basketball team in a new state and the jealousy of her beautiful younger sister.
Boycott Blues
by Andrea Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A rhythmic, poetic and poignant text recalls the 1955 event which transformed civil rights in the United States. Swirling colored ink illustrations.
by Andrea Pinkney
Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A rhythmic, poetic and poignant text recalls the 1955 event which transformed civil rights in the United States. Swirling colored ink illustrations.
Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress
by Maria Padian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
For Brett, Junior High brings unexpected, painful changes in relationships, in understandings and in her sense of self.
by Maria Padian
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
For Brett, Junior High brings unexpected, painful changes in relationships, in understandings and in her sense of self.
Brooklyn Bridge
by Karen Hesse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In Brooklyn in 1903, Joseph's successful family's life contrasts with those who find refuge under the Brooklyn Bridge.
by Karen Hesse
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In Brooklyn in 1903, Joseph's successful family's life contrasts with those who find refuge under the Brooklyn Bridge.