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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Action!: How Movies Began
Meghan McCarthy
Illustrator: Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A comprehensive introduction to the evolution of movie-making, and its creators. Lively black-and-white and acrylic cartoon images. Extensive back matter.
Meghan McCarthy
Illustrator: Meghan McCarthy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A comprehensive introduction to the evolution of movie-making, and its creators. Lively black-and-white and acrylic cartoon images. Extensive back matter.
Adventures of Dr. Sloth, The: Rebecca Cliffe and Her Quest to Protect Sloths
Suzi Eszterhas
Illustrator: Suzi Eszterhas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two women, a zoologist and a wildlife photographer, present emerging research about the elusive, arboreal Central and South American mammal. Full-color photographs and links to videos. Back matter.
Suzi Eszterhas
Illustrator: Suzi Eszterhas
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two women, a zoologist and a wildlife photographer, present emerging research about the elusive, arboreal Central and South American mammal. Full-color photographs and links to videos. Back matter.
All Four Quarters of the Moon
Shirley Marr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Ba Ba's job requires a move from Singapore to Australia, Peijing, 11, helps her mother, grandmother, and irrepressible little sister navigate their new world.
Shirley Marr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Ba Ba's job requires a move from Singapore to Australia, Peijing, 11, helps her mother, grandmother, and irrepressible little sister navigate their new world.
Always, Clementine
Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A genetically engineered genius mouse escapes the research lab, but longs for her chimpanzee friend. Serious themes with humorous touches.
Carlie Sorosiak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A genetically engineered genius mouse escapes the research lab, but longs for her chimpanzee friend. Serious themes with humorous touches.
Antarctica: The Melting Continent
Karen Romano Young
Illustrator: Angela Hsieh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A thorough overview emphasizing the impact of global warming on the world's "coldest and driest place." Clear illustrations with many sidebars. Glossary, bibliography, and index.
Karen Romano Young
Illustrator: Angela Hsieh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A thorough overview emphasizing the impact of global warming on the world's "coldest and driest place." Clear illustrations with many sidebars. Glossary, bibliography, and index.
Aquanaut, The
Dan Santat
Illustrator: Dan Santat (Colorist, Mike Boldt)
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
After the research vessel Miette sinks in a storm, a crew of courageous marine animals walk out of the ocean at San Diego. Expressive, action-packed art.
Dan Santat
Illustrator: Dan Santat (Colorist, Mike Boldt)
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
After the research vessel Miette sinks in a storm, a crew of courageous marine animals walk out of the ocean at San Diego. Expressive, action-packed art.
Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock
Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Isabelle Follath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Arthur Conan Doyle, doctor, adventurer, and humanitarian, created his legendary detective character in 1887, it changed the course of his life. Evocative watercolor and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Isabelle Follath
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Arthur Conan Doyle, doctor, adventurer, and humanitarian, created his legendary detective character in 1887, it changed the course of his life. Evocative watercolor and pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Aviva vs. the Dybbuk
Mari Lowe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Aviva's dybbuk always gets her in trouble in her Orthodox Jewish community. Is the mischievous spirit a friend or an enemy? Hebrew and Yiddish glossary.
Mari Lowe
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Aviva's dybbuk always gets her in trouble in her Orthodox Jewish community. Is the mischievous spirit a friend or an enemy? Hebrew and Yiddish glossary.
Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue
William Grill
Illustrator: William Grill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
An Asian elephant, his keeper Po Toke, and "Elephant Bill" Williams brought elephants and refugees to safety during World War II. Detailed colored pencil illustrations. Back matter.
William Grill
Illustrator: William Grill
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
An Asian elephant, his keeper Po Toke, and "Elephant Bill" Williams brought elephants and refugees to safety during World War II. Detailed colored pencil illustrations. Back matter.
Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden
Allan Wolf
Illustrator: Daniel Duncan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The many wonders of a garden, flora and fauna, are depicted in playful varied verse forms and whimsical colorful illustrations. Back matter activity for each poem.
Allan Wolf
Illustrator: Daniel Duncan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The many wonders of a garden, flora and fauna, are depicted in playful varied verse forms and whimsical colorful illustrations. Back matter activity for each poem.
Berani
Michelle Kadarusman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Privileged Canadian Indonesian Malia and Indonesian Ari, a boy struggling to get an education, work together to save endangered orangutans. Alternating viewpoints with interludes by Berani, an orangutan. Back matter
Michelle Kadarusman
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Privileged Canadian Indonesian Malia and Indonesian Ari, a boy struggling to get an education, work together to save endangered orangutans. Alternating viewpoints with interludes by Berani, an orangutan. Back matter
Bhai for Now
Maleeha Siddiqui
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Asher and Shaheer, Pakistani American twins separated in infancy, meet in eighth grade and decide to switch places to try to uncover their family secrets.
Maleeha Siddiqui
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Asher and Shaheer, Pakistani American twins separated in infancy, meet in eighth grade and decide to switch places to try to uncover their family secrets.
Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession
Kate Hannigan
Illustrator: Zacharia OHora
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Bored watching TV, a Jewish refugee attempted to make the experience more interesting, using skills he had acquired as a radio operator in the U.S. Army during World War II. Colorful, cheerful illustrations.
Kate Hannigan
Illustrator: Zacharia OHora
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Bored watching TV, a Jewish refugee attempted to make the experience more interesting, using skills he had acquired as a radio operator in the U.S. Army during World War II. Colorful, cheerful illustrations.
Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Illustrator: Daniel Minter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Explore the significance of the color blue, from its uses in ancient times to recent advances in dye making. Lush acrylic wash illustrations. Free verse with word play. Back matter.
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Illustrator: Daniel Minter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Explore the significance of the color blue, from its uses in ancient times to recent advances in dye making. Lush acrylic wash illustrations. Free verse with word play. Back matter.
Children of the Quicksands
Efua Traoré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When city-bred Simi, 13, stays with her grandmother in a Nigerian village, she discovers Yoruba traditional beliefs and heroically tries to rescue children caught in a magical place. Back matter.
Efua Traoré
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When city-bred Simi, 13, stays with her grandmother in a Nigerian village, she discovers Yoruba traditional beliefs and heroically tries to rescue children caught in a magical place. Back matter.
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
Angela Joy
Illustrator: Janelle Washington
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The resourcefulness and steel of a mother seeking justice for her son's heinous murder is dramatized in free verse. Stained glass-like cut paper illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Angela Joy
Illustrator: Janelle Washington
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The resourcefulness and steel of a mother seeking justice for her son's heinous murder is dramatized in free verse. Stained glass-like cut paper illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Clackity, The (Blight Harbor series)
Lora Senf
Illustrator: Alfredo Cáceres
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When her aunt disappears, Evie knows she has to go after her. When the dreadful creature Clackity offers her a "fair deal," Evie can't refuse it. Ghostly black-and-white illustrations.
Lora Senf
Illustrator: Alfredo Cáceres
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When her aunt disappears, Evie knows she has to go after her. When the dreadful creature Clackity offers her a "fair deal," Evie can't refuse it. Ghostly black-and-white illustrations.
Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: Anne Labelet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A brave young woman disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Photoshoppd period-style pencil drawings. Extensive back matter.
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: Anne Labelet
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A brave young woman disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Photoshoppd period-style pencil drawings. Extensive back matter.
Coming Up Cuban
Sonia Manzano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Four children representing different intersections of race and class detail their experiences during Castro's rise to power in 1959-1961. Back matter, time line, resources. Also available in Spanish.
Sonia Manzano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Four children representing different intersections of race and class detail their experiences during Castro's rise to power in 1959-1961. Back matter, time line, resources. Also available in Spanish.
Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design around the World
Christy Hale
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Space-saving cars, robotic arms, and apartments that stack like honeycombs are just a few inventions inspired by nature. Digital art paired with photos. Extensive back matter and source notes.
Christy Hale
Illustrator: Christy Hale
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Space-saving cars, robotic arms, and apartments that stack like honeycombs are just a few inventions inspired by nature. Digital art paired with photos. Extensive back matter and source notes.
Cress Watercress
Gregory Maguire
Illustrator: David Litchfield
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
After mother bunny moves Cress and baby Kip to the basement of the Broken Arms, Cress experiences danger, adventure and a colorful group of residents. Richly luminous digital art.
Gregory Maguire
Illustrator: David Litchfield
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
After mother bunny moves Cress and baby Kip to the basement of the Broken Arms, Cress experiences danger, adventure and a colorful group of residents. Richly luminous digital art.
Curtain Up!: Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
Illustrator: Lauren O'Hara
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Figaro, the resident cat at the Royal Opera House, takes us on a tour behind the production of the Nutcracker. Legendary performances come alive through the sumptuous, detailed illustrations. .
Royal Opera House
Illustrator: Lauren O'Hara
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Figaro, the resident cat at the Royal Opera House, takes us on a tour behind the production of the Nutcracker. Legendary performances come alive through the sumptuous, detailed illustrations. .
Detour Ahead
Pamela Ehrenberg and Tracy López
Illustrator: Laila Ekboir
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A friendship helps 12-year-old, neurodiverse Gilah prepare for her bat mitzvah, and 13-year-old Salvadoran American Guillermo enter a poetry contest to win money to fix his broken bicycle. Alternating prose and free verse. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Pamela Ehrenberg and Tracy López
Illustrator: Laila Ekboir
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A friendship helps 12-year-old, neurodiverse Gilah prepare for her bat mitzvah, and 13-year-old Salvadoran American Guillermo enter a poetry contest to win money to fix his broken bicycle. Alternating prose and free verse. Detailed black-and-white illustrations.
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War
Mónica Montañés
Illustrator: Eva Sánchez Gómez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two siblings experience difficulties when their father must flee because of his political beliefs. Expressive charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. Comprehensive back matter.
Mónica Montañés
Illustrator: Eva Sánchez Gómez
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two siblings experience difficulties when their father must flee because of his political beliefs. Expressive charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations. Comprehensive back matter.
Dog Star
Megan Shepherd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Laika, a stray dog in the Soviet Union, is sent into outer space. Ethical and political considerations are explored within the context of a girl's friendship with the heroic dog. Archival photos. Back matter.
Megan Shepherd
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Laika, a stray dog in the Soviet Union, is sent into outer space. Ethical and political considerations are explored within the context of a girl's friendship with the heroic dog. Archival photos. Back matter.