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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Starbright and the Dream Eater
by Joy Cowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A twelve-year-old girl born under mysterious circumstances is the only hope of saving our planet from a destructive alien life force.
by Joy Cowley
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A twelve-year-old girl born under mysterious circumstances is the only hope of saving our planet from a destructive alien life force.
Sunwing
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A young bat leads his family on a dangerous mission to find his missing father.
by Kenneth Oppel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A young bat leads his family on a dangerous mission to find his missing father.
Surviving Brick Johnson
by Laurie Myers
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A new classmate seems threatening until exchanges in a karate class reveal his positive qualities.
by Laurie Myers
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A new classmate seems threatening until exchanges in a karate class reveal his positive qualities.
The $66 Summer
by John Armistead
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A trio of friends, one white and two black, seek answers to the mystery of a man's disappearance in a 1950s Southern town.
by John Armistead
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A trio of friends, one white and two black, seek answers to the mystery of a man's disappearance in a 1950s Southern town.
The Barefoot Book of Tropical Tales
retold by Raouf Mama
Illustrator: Deidre Hyde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Eight delightful lesser known myths and legends--from Haiti, Zaire, Cape Verde, and elswhere.
retold by Raouf Mama
Illustrator: Deidre Hyde
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Eight delightful lesser known myths and legends--from Haiti, Zaire, Cape Verde, and elswhere.
The Barn Burner
by Patricia Willis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
During the Depression, a fourteen-year-old drifter, falsely accused, tries to identify the real barn burner.
by Patricia Willis
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
During the Depression, a fourteen-year-old drifter, falsely accused, tries to identify the real barn burner.
The Blessing of the Animals
written and ill. by Michael J. Rosen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Jared must decide if a Jewish boy can take his dog to be blessed by a Catholic priest. Touching and intelligent.
written and ill. by Michael J. Rosen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Jared must decide if a Jewish boy can take his dog to be blessed by a Catholic priest. Touching and intelligent.
The Blues of Flats Brown
by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator: Nina Laden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Fantastic story of a talented dog and the music he creates.
by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrator: Nina Laden
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Fantastic story of a talented dog and the music he creates.
The Book of the Lion
by Michael Cadnum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
During the Crusades, Edmund serves his knight at the bloody battle of Arsuf. Gracefully written.
by Michael Cadnum
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
During the Crusades, Edmund serves his knight at the bloody battle of Arsuf. Gracefully written.
The Boxer
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Johnny learns to channel his anger into boxing and supports his family during rough times in nineteenth century New York.
by Kathleen Karr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Johnny learns to channel his anger into boxing and supports his family during rough times in nineteenth century New York.
The Color of My Words
by Lynn Joseph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
The difficulties and tragedies of life in a small Dominican village, lyrically told by thirteen-year-old Ana Rosa.
by Lynn Joseph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
The difficulties and tragedies of life in a small Dominican village, lyrically told by thirteen-year-old Ana Rosa.
The Composition
by Antonio Skarmeta
Illustrator: Alfonso Ruano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Both overtly and covertly, a military dictatorship impacts the daily life of a young boy and his classmates.
by Antonio Skarmeta
Illustrator: Alfonso Ruano
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Both overtly and covertly, a military dictatorship impacts the daily life of a young boy and his classmates.
The Diary of Melanie Martin
by Carol Weston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Melanie recounts her family's trip to Italy. Amusing teenage angst, irritation and enthusiasm.
by Carol Weston
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Melanie recounts her family's trip to Italy. Amusing teenage angst, irritation and enthusiasm.
The Emerald Lizard
by Pleasant DeSpain
Illustrator: Don Bell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Vibrant stories about human nature, presented in English and Spanish.
by Pleasant DeSpain
Illustrator: Don Bell
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Vibrant stories about human nature, presented in English and Spanish.
The Four Corners of the Sky
by Steve Zeitlin
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Creation legends from around the world, concluding with an explanation by contemporary physicists. Artwork from each culture.
by Steve Zeitlin
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Creation legends from around the world, concluding with an explanation by contemporary physicists. Artwork from each culture.
The Graduation of Jake Moon
by Barbara Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Sensitive portrayal of a young boy trying to maintain a relationship with his grandfather who suffers from Alzheimer's.
by Barbara Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Sensitive portrayal of a young boy trying to maintain a relationship with his grandfather who suffers from Alzheimer's.
The Key is Lost
by Ida Vos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Two young Dutch Jewish sisters hide under false names during the Holocaust. Based on the author's experiences.
by Ida Vos
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Two young Dutch Jewish sisters hide under false names during the Holocaust. Based on the author's experiences.
The King of the Golden River
by John Ruskin
Illustrator: Juan Wijngaard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A younger, enslaved brother finds ways to outwit his evil older brothers in this classic and timeless tale. A magical adventure.
by John Ruskin
Illustrator: Juan Wijngaard
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A younger, enslaved brother finds ways to outwit his evil older brothers in this classic and timeless tale. A magical adventure.
The Kite Fighters
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Eung Won Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A riveting tale of family honor and sibling rivalry set in fifteenth-century Korea.
by Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Eung Won Park
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A riveting tale of family honor and sibling rivalry set in fifteenth-century Korea.
The Midnight Train Home
by Erika Tamar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Deirdre runs away from a sanctimonious couple who had adopted her from an orphan train, and eventually finds acceptance in a vaudeville troupe.
by Erika Tamar
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Deirdre runs away from a sanctimonious couple who had adopted her from an orphan train, and eventually finds acceptance in a vaudeville troupe.
The Minstrel's Tale
by Berit Haahr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A young noblewoman disguises herself as a male minstrel's apprentice to escape a loathsome arranged marriage. Good period details.
by Berit Haahr
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A young noblewoman disguises herself as a male minstrel's apprentice to escape a loathsome arranged marriage. Good period details.
The Miserable Mill
by Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Three orphans survive many humorous misadventures as they go from home to home at the direction of their well-meaning but bumbling guardian.
by Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Three orphans survive many humorous misadventures as they go from home to home at the direction of their well-meaning but bumbling guardian.
The Moonlight Man
by Betty Ren Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A lively haunted house mystery involving teenage neighbors and tormented, vengeful ghosts.
by Betty Ren Wright
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
A lively haunted house mystery involving teenage neighbors and tormented, vengeful ghosts.
The Power of UN
by Nancy Etchemendy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Given a mysterious time machine, Gib discovers that good judgment and love are equally important in determining the future.
by Nancy Etchemendy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Given a mysterious time machine, Gib discovers that good judgment and love are equally important in determining the future.
The Queen of Attolia
by Megan Whalen Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Eugenides uses guile and cunning to prevent the conquest of the coastal countries. Sequel to The Thief.
by Megan Whalen Turner
Ages: 9+
Published: 2000
Eugenides uses guile and cunning to prevent the conquest of the coastal countries. Sequel to The Thief.