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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Who's Saying What In Jamestown, Thomas Savage?
by Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 9+
Published: 2007
The life of a thirteen-year-old boy and the beginning of the English colony at Jamestown are explored in a lively narrative.
by Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Ages: 9+
Published: 2007
The life of a thirteen-year-old boy and the beginning of the English colony at Jamestown are explored in a lively narrative.
Why? The War Years
written and ill. by Tomie dePaola
Ages: 9+
Published: 2007
The year is 1942 and the war surrounds an eight-year-old.
written and ill. by Tomie dePaola
Ages: 9+
Published: 2007
The year is 1942 and the war surrounds an eight-year-old.
4 Kids in 5E & 1 Crazy Year
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A new teacher helps twenty-two fifth grade misfits to know how special they are.
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A new teacher helps twenty-two fifth grade misfits to know how special they are.
A Higher Geometry
by Sharelle Byars Moranville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In the 1950s, a midwestern teenager is torn between her talent for math and her parents' desire that she follow a traditional path. A must for math aficionados.
by Sharelle Byars Moranville
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In the 1950s, a midwestern teenager is torn between her talent for math and her parents' desire that she follow a traditional path. A must for math aficionados.
Akimbo and the Crocodile Man
by Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
With considerable ingenuity, Akimbo goes to the rescue of an injured geologist on his father's game preserve.
by Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
With considerable ingenuity, Akimbo goes to the rescue of an injured geologist on his father's game preserve.
A Small White Scar
by K.A. Nuzum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Much of the resposibility for his twin, who has Down syndrome, has fallen on Will, but now Will is determined to have a life of his own.
by K.A. Nuzum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Much of the resposibility for his twin, who has Down syndrome, has fallen on Will, but now Will is determined to have a life of his own.
Battle Cry
by Jan Neubert Schultz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The friendship and survival of two boys, one part Indian, are severely tested when a Dakota conflict erupts in Minnesota in 1862.
by Jan Neubert Schultz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The friendship and survival of two boys, one part Indian, are severely tested when a Dakota conflict erupts in Minnesota in 1862.
Behind the Curtain
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Ingrid puts herself in dire jeopardy trying to convince others of the truth about who is really behind the mysterious happenings in her town.
by Peter Abrahams
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Ingrid puts herself in dire jeopardy trying to convince others of the truth about who is really behind the mysterious happenings in her town.
Bella at Midnight
by Diane Stanley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Raised in a peasant cottage, Bella discovers her high-born origins and fulfills her destiny by averting a disastrous war.
by Diane Stanley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Raised in a peasant cottage, Bella discovers her high-born origins and fulfills her destiny by averting a disastrous war.
Blood on the River
by Elisa Carbone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Twelve-year-old Samuel travels with Captain John Smith into James Town and learns to survive the hardships of the wilderness.
by Elisa Carbone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Twelve-year-old Samuel travels with Captain John Smith into James Town and learns to survive the hardships of the wilderness.
Blue
by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Thirteen-year-old Ann Fay deals with the losses caused by world War II and the polio epidemic of 1944.
by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Thirteen-year-old Ann Fay deals with the losses caused by world War II and the polio epidemic of 1944.
Bread and Roses, Too
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Teen-aged rosa is terrified because her mother and older sister are marching in a 1912 strike against corrupt mill owners.
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Teen-aged rosa is terrified because her mother and older sister are marching in a 1912 strike against corrupt mill owners.
Bringing Ezra Back
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In Ohio in the 1800s, twelve-year-old Nathan leaves his family farm to rescue a friend held captive by the owner of a freak show.
by Cynthia DeFelice
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In Ohio in the 1800s, twelve-year-old Nathan leaves his family farm to rescue a friend held captive by the owner of a freak show.
Castle
by Kyle Olmon
Illustrator: Tracy Sabin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Intricate pop-ups of a medieval castle and the activities that occur there. Information about trades and daily happenings.
by Kyle Olmon
Illustrator: Tracy Sabin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Intricate pop-ups of a medieval castle and the activities that occur there. Information about trades and daily happenings.
Complex Cases
by Jurg Obrist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Use logic and visual clues to help private detectives solve three cases.
by Jurg Obrist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Use logic and visual clues to help private detectives solve three cases.
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters
by Lesley M.M. Blume
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The lonely eleven-year-old daughter of two famous concert pianists is befriended by her New York City neighbor, a glamorous author who is one of the adventurous Somerset sisters.
by Lesley M.M. Blume
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The lonely eleven-year-old daughter of two famous concert pianists is befriended by her New York City neighbor, a glamorous author who is one of the adventurous Somerset sisters.
Crispin
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Fleeing a medieval cult with his mentor, Bear, Crispin finds that freedom involves choices. But which are safe?
by Avi
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Fleeing a medieval cult with his mentor, Bear, Crispin finds that freedom involves choices. But which are safe?
Danger in the Dark
by Tom Lalicki
Illustrator: Carlyn Cerniglia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel enlists the help of the Great Houdini to solve a desperate family situation.
by Tom Lalicki
Illustrator: Carlyn Cerniglia
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel enlists the help of the Great Houdini to solve a desperate family situation.
Desperate Journey
by Jim Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Life on the Erie Canal poses many challenges for twelve-year-old Maggie and her family.
by Jim Murphy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Life on the Erie Canal poses many challenges for twelve-year-old Maggie and her family.
Dogboy
by Christopher Russell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Against the back-drop of war in the 1300s, a young boy uses his love of dogs to find honor.
by Christopher Russell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Against the back-drop of war in the 1300s, a young boy uses his love of dogs to find honor.
Drita My Homegirl
by Jenny Lombard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Friendship, tolerance, loss and growing up as Maxie and Drita get through the fourth grade together.
by Jenny Lombard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Friendship, tolerance, loss and growing up as Maxie and Drita get through the fourth grade together.
Eclipse
by Andrea Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Peti struggles with the intrusion of recently emigrated relatives and his grandfather's entrapment behind the Iron Curtain in 1952 Hungary.
by Andrea Cheng
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
Peti struggles with the intrusion of recently emigrated relatives and his grandfather's entrapment behind the Iron Curtain in 1952 Hungary.
Evangeline Mudd and the Great Mink Escapade
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Andréa Wesson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The madcap adventures of ten-year-old Evangeline as she outsmarts the evil Rasputin. Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
by David Elliott
Illustrator: Andréa Wesson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
The madcap adventures of ten-year-old Evangeline as she outsmarts the evil Rasputin. Humorous black-and-white illustrations.
Fairest
by Gail Carson Levine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A uniquely original take on Snow White that provides one answer to the question: what price beauty?
by Gail Carson Levine
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
A uniquely original take on Snow White that provides one answer to the question: what price beauty?
Fly By Night
by Frances Hardinge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In an imaginative world where books are dangerous, can a girl, a goose and a con-man stop a war?
by Frances Hardinge
Ages: 9+
Published: 2006
In an imaginative world where books are dangerous, can a girl, a goose and a con-man stop a war?