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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Swindle
by Gordon Korman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Will sixth-grader Griffin's plan to retrieve a valuable and extremely well-guarded baseball card succeed?
by Gordon Korman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Will sixth-grader Griffin's plan to retrieve a valuable and extremely well-guarded baseball card succeed?
The Adventurous Deeds of Deadwood Jones
by Helen Hemphill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Thirteen-year-old Prometheus and his cousin flee Tennessee to find his father who was sold away.
by Helen Hemphill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Thirteen-year-old Prometheus and his cousin flee Tennessee to find his father who was sold away.
The Ancient Egyptians
by Virginia Schomp
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A retelling of several myths with background information describing the history, geography and belief systems.
by Virginia Schomp
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A retelling of several myths with background information describing the history, geography and belief systems.
The Attack of the Frozen Woodchucks
by Dan Elish
Illustrator: Greg Call
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Ten-year-old Jimmy and sidekicks William and Janice use their scientific expertise to battle extraterrestrial woodchucks.
by Dan Elish
Illustrator: Greg Call
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Ten-year-old Jimmy and sidekicks William and Janice use their scientific expertise to battle extraterrestrial woodchucks.
The Bear Makers
by Andrea Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In post World War II Hungary, Kata and her family struggle to survive hoping for a better future.
by Andrea Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In post World War II Hungary, Kata and her family struggle to survive hoping for a better future.
The Big Field
by Mike Lupica
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A talented fourteen-year-old baseball player feels betrayed when he sees his remote father coach the new teammate who “demoted” him from his beloved shortstop position.
by Mike Lupica
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
A talented fourteen-year-old baseball player feels betrayed when he sees his remote father coach the new teammate who “demoted” him from his beloved shortstop position.
The Book of Wizards
sel. and ill. by Michael Hague
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Merlin, Prospero and Baba Yaga join lesser-known magicians from around the world. Pen and ink and color illustrations.
sel. and ill. by Michael Hague
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Merlin, Prospero and Baba Yaga join lesser-known magicians from around the world. Pen and ink and color illustrations.
The Buddha's Diamonds
by Carolyn Marsden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In a small village in Vietnam, Tinh grows emotionally and spiritually in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
by Carolyn Marsden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In a small village in Vietnam, Tinh grows emotionally and spiritually in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
The Cabinet of Wonders
by Marie Rutkoski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When her father's eyes are stolen by the Prince of Prague, Petra faces great danger when she tries to retrieve them.
by Marie Rutkoski
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When her father's eyes are stolen by the Prince of Prague, Petra faces great danger when she tries to retrieve them.
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
by Nancy Springer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
The brilliant sister of Sherlock and Mycroft solves the Watson kidnapping case using clever disguises and code-breaking clues.
by Nancy Springer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
The brilliant sister of Sherlock and Mycroft solves the Watson kidnapping case using clever disguises and code-breaking clues.
The Compound
by S. A. Bodeen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After escaping from an atomic disaster with his family, Eli manages to solve the mystery of his entrapment.
by S. A. Bodeen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
After escaping from an atomic disaster with his family, Eli manages to solve the mystery of his entrapment.
The Curse of Addy McMahon
written and ill. by Katie Davis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Cartoon illustrations advance this story of friendship and major upheavals in family dynamics as twelve-year-old Addy copes with these changes.
written and ill. by Katie Davis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Cartoon illustrations advance this story of friendship and major upheavals in family dynamics as twelve-year-old Addy copes with these changes.
The Diamond of Darkhold
by Jeanne DuPrau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Lina and Doon discover a source of electricity for the people of Sparks. Fourth and last book in the City of Ember series.
by Jeanne DuPrau
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Lina and Doon discover a source of electricity for the people of Sparks. Fourth and last book in the City of Ember series.
The Dragonfly Pool
by Eva Ibbotson
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
During World War II, eleven-year-old Tally rescues a prince from the Nazis with the help of her friends.
by Eva Ibbotson
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
During World War II, eleven-year-old Tally rescues a prince from the Nazis with the help of her friends.
The Dragon's Child
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Life in rural china and coming to America is depicted in this tale based on the life of the author's family.
by Laurence Yep
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Life in rural china and coming to America is depicted in this tale based on the life of the author's family.
The Ghosts of Kerfol
by Deborah Noyes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1613, a house is haunted by dead dogs, jealousy, murder and vengeance as intertwining stories move forward in this breathtaking tale.
by Deborah Noyes
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1613, a house is haunted by dead dogs, jealousy, murder and vengeance as intertwining stories move forward in this breathtaking tale.
The Girl Who Could Fly
by Victoria Forester
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When nine-year-old Piper discovers she can fly, the freedom-seeking child is set against a fearful, unimaginative world.
by Victoria Forester
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
When nine-year-old Piper discovers she can fly, the freedom-seeking child is set against a fearful, unimaginative world.
The Golden Bull
by Marjorie Cowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In ancient Mesopotamia, fourteen-year-old Joman and his sister Zefa survive by learning new skills and reaffirming their love for each other.
by Marjorie Cowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In ancient Mesopotamia, fourteen-year-old Joman and his sister Zefa survive by learning new skills and reaffirming their love for each other.
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Nobody Owens, raised by ghosts in an abandoned graveyard, needs to discover if he is capable of being Somebody.
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
Nobody Owens, raised by ghosts in an abandoned graveyard, needs to discover if he is capable of being Somebody.
The Hope Chest
by Karen Schwabach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1917, eleven-year-old Violet learns about women's suffrage from her rebellious sister who refuses to follow the traditional woman's role.
by Karen Schwabach
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
In 1917, eleven-year-old Violet learns about women's suffrage from her rebellious sister who refuses to follow the traditional woman's role.
The Joy of Spooking
by P.J. Bracegirdle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
GReedy politicians want tp turn Spooking Bog into a water park but intrepid Joy Wells has other ideas.
by P.J. Bracegirdle
Ages: 9+
Published: 2008
GReedy politicians want tp turn Spooking Bog into a water park but intrepid Joy Wells has other ideas.
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.