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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Other Boys
Damian Alexander
Illustrator: Damian Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A therapist helps seventh grader Damien, who's bullied as different, to handle his grief after his mother's death and to accept his gender identity. Bold, colorful artwork.
Damian Alexander
Illustrator: Damian Alexander
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A therapist helps seventh grader Damien, who's bullied as different, to handle his grief after his mother's death and to accept his gender identity. Bold, colorful artwork.
Otto: A Palindrama
Jon Agee
Illustrator: Jon Agee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
As Otto searches for his dog Pip every word, even words on drawings, are palindromes - the same backwards and forwards. Delightful graphics.
Jon Agee
Illustrator: Jon Agee
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
As Otto searches for his dog Pip every word, even words on drawings, are palindromes - the same backwards and forwards. Delightful graphics.
Pax, Journey Home
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Though it's been a year since Peter and Pax saw each other, when Pax's kit becomes ill, he brings her to Peter to heal. Evocative black-and-white illustrations.
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Though it's been a year since Peter and Pax saw each other, when Pax's kit becomes ill, he brings her to Peter to heal. Evocative black-and-white illustrations.
People Remember, The
Ibi Zoboi
Illustrator: Loveis Wise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Powerful free verse sensitively tells the histories of African descendants in America. Sumptuous full-bleed digital art, robust back matter.
Ibi Zoboi
Illustrator: Loveis Wise
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Powerful free verse sensitively tells the histories of African descendants in America. Sumptuous full-bleed digital art, robust back matter.
People's Painter, The: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art
Cynthia Levinson
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Refusing to paint gentle, bucolic scenes, a bold artist cried out for social justice with starkly realistic stories portrayed on canvas. Vivid illustrations convey Shahn's style.
Cynthia Levinson
Illustrator: Evan Turk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Refusing to paint gentle, bucolic scenes, a bold artist cried out for social justice with starkly realistic stories portrayed on canvas. Vivid illustrations convey Shahn's style.
Place to Hang the Moon, A
Kate Albus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When their grandmother dies, three orphaned children are evacuated to the countryside from London during the Blitz in hope of finding a new welcoming family.
Kate Albus
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When their grandmother dies, three orphaned children are evacuated to the countryside from London during the Blitz in hope of finding a new welcoming family.
Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean
Patricia Newman
Illustrator: Annie Crawley, photographer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Divers who explore the Arctic, the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia, and the Salish Sea in western North America discuss local issues that affect us all. Photographs. Sources include video links.
Patricia Newman
Illustrator: Annie Crawley, photographer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Divers who explore the Arctic, the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia, and the Salish Sea in western North America discuss local issues that affect us all. Photographs. Sources include video links.
Plan for the People, A: Nelson Mandela's Hope for His Nation
Lindsey McDivitt
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After 27 years in prison for fighting to dismantle apartheid, Mandela continued the struggle for South Africans and became president. Vibrant illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Lindsey McDivitt
Illustrator: Charly Palmer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After 27 years in prison for fighting to dismantle apartheid, Mandela continued the struggle for South Africans and became president. Vibrant illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Playing the Cards You're Dealt
Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A young boy dreams of measuring up to his father's expectations at the card table but fate has other plans.
Varian Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A young boy dreams of measuring up to his father's expectations at the card table but fate has other plans.
RBG's Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone
Nadine Epstein /Introduction and Selections by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Illustrator: Bee Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A Supreme Court justice introduces short biographies of trailblazing Jewish women -- from biblical characters to congresswomen. Historical background. Portrait drawings.
Nadine Epstein /Introduction and Selections by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Illustrator: Bee Johnson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A Supreme Court justice introduces short biographies of trailblazing Jewish women -- from biblical characters to congresswomen. Historical background. Portrait drawings.
Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic (Hidden Histories series)
Flora Delargy
Illustrator: Flora Delargy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
The voyage of the Carpathia in April 1912 races to rescue Titanic survivors. Vivid illustrations highlight the heroic crew and passengers. Glossary, resources.
Flora Delargy
Illustrator: Flora Delargy
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
The voyage of the Carpathia in April 1912 races to rescue Titanic survivors. Vivid illustrations highlight the heroic crew and passengers. Glossary, resources.
Rez Dogs
Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malian is quarantined on the reservation with her grandparents, who tell her traditional Penacook tales.
Joseph Bruchac
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malian is quarantined on the reservation with her grandparents, who tell her traditional Penacook tales.
Room to Dream (Front Desk series)
Kelly Yang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When the Tangs vacation in China five years after emigrating to California, a much changed extended family and country create big changes in Mia's life.
Kelly Yang
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When the Tangs vacation in China five years after emigrating to California, a much changed extended family and country create big changes in Mia's life.
Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear
Trang Nguyen
Illustrator: Jeet Zdung
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A young conservationist returns a Vietnamese sun bear to the wild. Based on the author's life. Handsomely detailed graphic format.
Trang Nguyen
Illustrator: Jeet Zdung
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A young conservationist returns a Vietnamese sun bear to the wild. Based on the author's life. Handsomely detailed graphic format.
School Between Winter and Fairyland, The
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After her twin brother goes missing, Autumn enlists the kingdom's heir to help find him in exchange for help against his enemy.
Heather Fawcett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
After her twin brother goes missing, Autumn enlists the kingdom's heir to help find him in exchange for help against his enemy.
Shirley and Jamila's Big Fall (Shirley and Jamila series)
Gillian Goerz
Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
The girls confront a school blackmailer and changes in their friendship. Warm humor. Lively graphics.
Gillian Goerz
Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
The girls confront a school blackmailer and changes in their friendship. Warm humor. Lively graphics.
Simon B. Rhymin'
Dwayne Reed
Illustrator: Robert Paul Jr.
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Aspiring rapper Simon enters fifth grade struggling with self-confidence until a school project allows him to use his talents. Black-and-White illustrations.
Dwayne Reed
Illustrator: Robert Paul Jr.
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Aspiring rapper Simon enters fifth grade struggling with self-confidence until a school project allows him to use his talents. Black-and-White illustrations.
Sisters of the Neversea
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Two stepsisters, one Muscogee Creek and one white, try to rescue themselves, the Lost Boys, and all those trapped in Neverland. A reimagining of the Peter Pan tale.
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Two stepsisters, one Muscogee Creek and one white, try to rescue themselves, the Lost Boys, and all those trapped in Neverland. A reimagining of the Peter Pan tale.
Spi-ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Robert Meganck
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Short poems with detailed digital illustrations and descriptive passages, introduce us to spiders' hunting, mating, and offspring-rearing behaviors.
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Robert Meganck
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Short poems with detailed digital illustrations and descriptive passages, introduce us to spiders' hunting, mating, and offspring-rearing behaviors.
Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You
Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul
Illustrator: Rachelle Baker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
An examination of the origin of racist ideas and their impact in America. Adapted from the collaboration of Reynolds & Kendi. Back matter, Black-and-White spot illustrations.
Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul
Illustrator: Rachelle Baker
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
An examination of the origin of racist ideas and their impact in America. Adapted from the collaboration of Reynolds & Kendi. Back matter, Black-and-White spot illustrations.
Starfish
Lisa Fipps
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Body shamed her whole life, Ellie, 11 and overweight, seeks help from a therapist to stand up to her bullies-- and to her mother. Free verse.
Lisa Fipps
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Body shamed her whole life, Ellie, 11 and overweight, seeks help from a therapist to stand up to her bullies-- and to her mother. Free verse.
Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt
Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A tribute to the man who envisioned a fabric masterpiece. Evocative artwork. Discussion guide, timeline and supplementary biographical information.
Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
A tribute to the man who envisioned a fabric masterpiece. Evocative artwork. Discussion guide, timeline and supplementary biographical information.
Stolen Prince of Cloudburst, The
Jaclyn Moriarty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Esther, ignored by her mother, is determined to keep her school safe from dangerous Shadow Mages despite having no magical powers of her own.
Jaclyn Moriarty
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Twelve-year-old Esther, ignored by her mother, is determined to keep her school safe from dangerous Shadow Mages despite having no magical powers of her own.
Stuff between the Stars, The: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe
Sandra Nickel
Illustrator: Aimée Sicuro
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When astronomy was an all-male field, a girl fascinated by the night sky grew up to make remarkable discoveries. Multi-media illustrations.
Sandra Nickel
Illustrator: Aimée Sicuro
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
When astronomy was an all-male field, a girl fascinated by the night sky grew up to make remarkable discoveries. Multi-media illustrations.
Stuntboy, In The Meantime
Jason Reynolds
Illustrator: Raúl the Third
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Ten-year-old Portico loves living in Skylight Gardens and keeping everybody safe with his super-stunts. Word play and vibrant comic book art.
Jason Reynolds
Illustrator: Raúl the Third
Ages: 9+
Published: 2021
Ten-year-old Portico loves living in Skylight Gardens and keeping everybody safe with his super-stunts. Word play and vibrant comic book art.