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 Last Invisible Boy
by Evan Kuhlman
Illustrator: J.P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Finn Garrett feels as if he is fading away after the unexpected death of his father.
by Evan Kuhlman
Illustrator: J.P. Coovert
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Finn Garrett feels as if he is fading away after the unexpected death of his father.
The Leanin' Dog
by K.A. Nuzum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After the tragic death of her mother, lonely Dessa Dean finds a four-legged friend who is just as needy as she is.
by K.A. Nuzum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After the tragic death of her mother, lonely Dessa Dean finds a four-legged friend who is just as needy as she is.
The Letter Writer
by Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Harriet unwittingly supplies Nat Turner, the seemingly mild mannered slave preacher, with information vital to the bloody rebellion.
by Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Harriet unwittingly supplies Nat Turner, the seemingly mild mannered slave preacher, with information vital to the bloody rebellion.
The London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When Salim disappears into thin air from the “London Eye,” no one wants to take his cousin Ted's theories seriously.
by Siobhan Dowd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When Salim disappears into thin air from the “London Eye,” no one wants to take his cousin Ted's theories seriously.
The McElderry Book of Greek Myths
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Pep Montserrat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Pandora's box of hope, Arachne's special weave and the wax wings of Icarus come to life in this elegant collection. Dramatic illustrations.
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Pep Montserrat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Pandora's box of hope, Arachne's special weave and the wax wings of Icarus come to life in this elegant collection. Dramatic illustrations.
The Nine Lives of Travis keating
by Jill MacLean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After the death of his mother, twelve-year-old Travis must contend with a move, a bully and a new school, but a colony of feral cats helps him.
by Jill MacLean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After the death of his mother, twelve-year-old Travis must contend with a move, a bully and a new school, but a colony of feral cats helps him.
The Norsemen
by Virginia Schomp
Illustrator: Lisa Falkenstern
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
See The Ancient Egyptians
by Virginia Schomp
Illustrator: Lisa Falkenstern
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
See The Ancient Egyptians
The Patron Saint of Butterflies
by Cecilia Galante
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Two fourteen-year-old girls, in a religious commune since birth, must reconsider their lives and beliefs when allegations of abuse arise.
by Cecilia Galante
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Two fourteen-year-old girls, in a religious commune since birth, must reconsider their lives and beliefs when allegations of abuse arise.
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Four sisters band together to keep their widowed father from dating.
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Four sisters band together to keep their widowed father from dating.
The Pirates of Turtle Rock
by Richard W. Jennings
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A modern day teen pirate meets a bored girl and together they find love and treasure in a zany adventure.
by Richard W. Jennings
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A modern day teen pirate meets a bored girl and together they find love and treasure in a zany adventure.
The Porcupine Year
by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Omakayas' family has been uprooted by the U. S. Government and must move West. Surviving a tough year, Omakayas becomes a strong and compassionate woman.
by Louise Erdrich
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Omakayas' family has been uprooted by the U. S. Government and must move West. Surviving a tough year, Omakayas becomes a strong and compassionate woman.
The Redheaded Princess
by Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
The future Queen Elizabeth, tells of her life from the age of nine until she ascends the throne at twenty-five.
by Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
The future Queen Elizabeth, tells of her life from the age of nine until she ascends the throne at twenty-five.
The Seer of Shadows
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In New York City in 1872, a fourteen-year-old photography apprentice juggles high society, swindlers, a girlfriend and a ghost.
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In New York City in 1872, a fourteen-year-old photography apprentice juggles high society, swindlers, a girlfriend and a ghost.
The Swan Kingdom
by Zoë Marriott
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
With some elements of Andersen's “The Wild Swans”, this story of a young woman slowly learning about her inherited powers is deeply magical.
by Zoë Marriott
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
With some elements of Andersen's “The Wild Swans”, this story of a young woman slowly learning about her inherited powers is deeply magical.
The Tallest Tree
by Sandra Belton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A hero gives little Catfish hope for the future and revives the spirit of a small town.
by Sandra Belton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A hero gives little Catfish hope for the future and revives the spirit of a small town.
The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
At school, ten-year-old Amanda studies the period when the nation was divided, while at home her own family is breaking apart.
by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
At school, ten-year-old Amanda studies the period when the nation was divided, while at home her own family is breaking apart.
The Truth About My Bat Mitzvah
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Caroline struggles with her Jewish identity after the death of her beloved grandmother.
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Caroline struggles with her Jewish identity after the death of her beloved grandmother.
The Willoughbys
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
An old fashioned novel with much humor and bizarre happenings is presented as a spoof. A superb glossary and bibliography.
by Lois Lowry
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
An old fashioned novel with much humor and bizarre happenings is presented as a spoof. A superb glossary and bibliography.
Tracking Daddy Down
by Marybeth Kelsey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Daredevil eleven-year-old Billie learns the truth about herself and the adults in her life as she attempts to convince her father to give himself up after robbing a bank.
by Marybeth Kelsey
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Daredevil eleven-year-old Billie learns the truth about herself and the adults in her life as she attempts to convince her father to give himself up after robbing a bank.
Trick of the Tale
by John & Caitlin Matthews
Illustrator: Tomislav Tomic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Tricksters from around the world outwit their fellow creatures using all the clever techniques they can summon. Expressive black and white engravings.
by John & Caitlin Matthews
Illustrator: Tomislav Tomic
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Tricksters from around the world outwit their fellow creatures using all the clever techniques they can summon. Expressive black and white engravings.
Twice Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In this zany sequel the unpopular queen returns to the castle and threatens the newly-weds and the entire kingdom. Will they be able to thwart her evil plans?
by Jean Ferris
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In this zany sequel the unpopular queen returns to the castle and threatens the newly-weds and the entire kingdom. Will they be able to thwart her evil plans?
Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains
by Laurel Snyder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
An adventure for Lucy, a milkmaid, and her friend Wynston, a prince, is filled with wonder, songs and mystery.
by Laurel Snyder
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
An adventure for Lucy, a milkmaid, and her friend Wynston, a prince, is filled with wonder, songs and mystery.
Waiting for Normal
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A spirited, self-reliant twelve-year-old copes with living with her irresponsible mother after being separated from her loving stepfather and half-sisters.
by Leslie Connor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A spirited, self-reliant twelve-year-old copes with living with her irresponsible mother after being separated from her loving stepfather and half-sisters.
Ways to Live Forever
by Sally Nicholls
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Eleven-year-old Sam McQueen, suffering from leukemia, chronicles his life, family and dreams in a book.
by Sally Nicholls
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Eleven-year-old Sam McQueen, suffering from leukemia, chronicles his life, family and dreams in a book.