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 Amazing Thinking Machine
by Dennis Haseley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Two brothers invent a machine and use it to help their family survive during the Depression. Quirky and humorous.
by Dennis Haseley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Two brothers invent a machine and use it to help their family survive during the Depression. Quirky and humorous.
The Annoyance Bureau
by Lucy Frank
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
During a New York visit, Lucas gets some magical help in dealing with annoyances, large and small.
by Lucy Frank
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
During a New York visit, Lucas gets some magical help in dealing with annoyances, large and small.
The Boy Who Could Fly Without a Motor
by Theodore Taylor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Living in a lighthouse off California's coast, a lonely nine-year-old gains unexpected powers from the ghost of a Chinese magician--and attention from President Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover.
by Theodore Taylor
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Living in a lighthouse off California's coast, a lonely nine-year-old gains unexpected powers from the ghost of a Chinese magician--and attention from President Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover.
The Confe$$ion$ and $ecret$ of Howard J. Fingerhut
by Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
How Howard and his class compete hilariously for the H. Marion Muckley Junior Business Person Award.
by Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrator: Ethan Long
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
How Howard and his class compete hilariously for the H. Marion Muckley Junior Business Person Award.
The Hunting of the Last Dragon
by Sherryl Jordan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
With clever, courageous Jing-wei, Jude fights his inner dragons as well as a beast that has devastated Medieval England.
by Sherryl Jordan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
With clever, courageous Jing-wei, Jude fights his inner dragons as well as a beast that has devastated Medieval England.
The Invisible Enemy
by Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
When Alyssa steals vanishing powder from Billie's backpack, Billie helps her to become visible again -- with surprising results.
by Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
When Alyssa steals vanishing powder from Billie's backpack, Billie helps her to become visible again -- with surprising results.
The Jacket
by Andrew Clements
Illustrator: McDavid Henderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Phil mistakenly accuses an African-American boy of stealing his brother's jacket. Sensitive handling of prejudice.
by Andrew Clements
Illustrator: McDavid Henderson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Phil mistakenly accuses an African-American boy of stealing his brother's jacket. Sensitive handling of prejudice.
The Legend of Lady Ilena
by Patricia Malone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In sixth-century Great Britain, fifteen-year-old Ilena discovers her lineage when she becomes embroiled in a battle between Druids and Christians.
by Patricia Malone
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In sixth-century Great Britain, fifteen-year-old Ilena discovers her lineage when she becomes embroiled in a battle between Druids and Christians.
The Leopard Sword
by Michael Cadnum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Returning home from the Crusades, squires Hubert and Edmund and their knights, encounter naval attack, shipwreck and deceit.
by Michael Cadnum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Returning home from the Crusades, squires Hubert and Edmund and their knights, encounter naval attack, shipwreck and deceit.
The Magical Monkey King
retold by Ji-Li Jiang
Illustrator: Hui Hui Su-Kennedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Monkey king strives to achieve immortality and wreaks havoc in heaven.
retold by Ji-Li Jiang
Illustrator: Hui Hui Su-Kennedy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Monkey king strives to achieve immortality and wreaks havoc in heaven.
The Man with the Silver Oar
by Robin Moore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In 1718, Daniel stows away on a ship searching for a pirate captain and finds adventure and a need to question his Quaker beliefs.
by Robin Moore
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In 1718, Daniel stows away on a ship searching for a pirate captain and finds adventure and a need to question his Quaker beliefs.
The Music Thief
by Peni R. Griffin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Beset by family problems, eleven-year-old Alma makes a serious mistake.
by Peni R. Griffin
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Beset by family problems, eleven-year-old Alma makes a serious mistake.
The Quigleys
by Simon Mason
Illustrator: Helen Stephens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A loving English family with peevish parents and feisty, but mutually supportive, siblings.
by Simon Mason
Illustrator: Helen Stephens
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
A loving English family with peevish parents and feisty, but mutually supportive, siblings.
The Rope Trick
by Lloyd Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In Renaissance Italy, a magician, aided by loyal friends, pursues her quest for the ultimate trick.
by Lloyd Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In Renaissance Italy, a magician, aided by loyal friends, pursues her quest for the ultimate trick.
The Rudest Alien on Earth
by Jane Leslie Conly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Two children befriend a curious, shape-shifting alien from another galaxy. A delightful fantasy.
by Jane Leslie Conly
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Two children befriend a curious, shape-shifting alien from another galaxy. A delightful fantasy.
The Same Stuff as Stars
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
With her father in jail and her mother unable to cope, Angel's universe expands when she meets a mysterious star-gazer.
by Katherine Paterson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
With her father in jail and her mother unable to cope, Angel's universe expands when she meets a mysterious star-gazer.
The Spirit and Gilly Bucket
by Maurine F. Dahlberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Spunky Gilly goes to live with slave-owning relatives in Virginia and is drafted to help in the work of the Underground Railroad.
by Maurine F. Dahlberg
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Spunky Gilly goes to live with slave-owning relatives in Virginia and is drafted to help in the work of the Underground Railroad.
The Strength of Saints
by A. LaFaye
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Fourteen-year-old Nissa rebels against racial prejudice in 1936 Louisiana. A sequel to “The Year of the Sawdust Man.”
by A. LaFaye
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Fourteen-year-old Nissa rebels against racial prejudice in 1936 Louisiana. A sequel to “The Year of the Sawdust Man.”
The Thieves of Ostia
by Caroline Lawrence
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
While solving a gruesome mystery, a Roman girl befriends several young people of different backgrounds. Vivid portrait of ancient Ostia.
by Caroline Lawrence
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
While solving a gruesome mystery, a Roman girl befriends several young people of different backgrounds. Vivid portrait of ancient Ostia.
The Twins and the Bird of Darkness
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Twin brothers, one hard working and one lazy, set off to rescue the princess from an evil seven-headed bird.
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrator: Terry Widener
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Twin brothers, one hard working and one lazy, set off to rescue the princess from an evil seven-headed bird.
The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool
by Margaret Gray
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Humorous tale of a jester and a third princess who join forces to change things in a kingdom where wisdom is outlawed and beauty prized.
by Margaret Gray
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Humorous tale of a jester and a third princess who join forces to change things in a kingdom where wisdom is outlawed and beauty prized.
The Village That Vanished
by Ann Grifalconi
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Abikanile helps save her African village and its people from the approaching slavers. Oil on pencil drawings.
by Ann Grifalconi
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Abikanile helps save her African village and its people from the approaching slavers. Oil on pencil drawings.
The Winter People
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In 1759, when Saxso's Abenaki village is attacked by the British, he must rescue his mother and sisters.
by Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
In 1759, when Saxso's Abenaki village is attacked by the British, he must rescue his mother and sisters.
This Isn't about the Money
by Sally Warner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
After her parents are killed and she is disfigured in a car crash, Janey begins to adjust to life with her grandfather and aunt.
by Sally Warner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
After her parents are killed and she is disfigured in a car crash, Janey begins to adjust to life with her grandfather and aunt.
Three Rotten Eggs
by Gregory Maguire
Illustrator: Elaine Clayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Genetically-altered eggs, rival classroom clubs and a mysterious, disruptive new student named “Thud” all interfere in a town egg hunt.
by Gregory Maguire
Illustrator: Elaine Clayton
Ages: 9+
Published: 2002
Genetically-altered eggs, rival classroom clubs and a mysterious, disruptive new student named “Thud” all interfere in a town egg hunt.