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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Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II
Lia Levi
Illustrator: Jess Mason
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In Italy during Mussolini's fascist regime, Lia and her siblings survived by hiding their Jewish identity in a Catholic boarding school. Black and white illustrations, photos.
Lia Levi
Illustrator: Jess Mason
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In Italy during Mussolini's fascist regime, Lia and her siblings survived by hiding their Jewish identity in a Catholic boarding school. Black and white illustrations, photos.
Just Right Jillian
Nicole D. Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Fifth grader Jillian must overcome her shyness and lack of confidence to show her true self and honor the memory of her grandmother.
Nicole D. Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Fifth grader Jillian must overcome her shyness and lack of confidence to show her true self and honor the memory of her grandmother.
Kapaemahu
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson
Illustrator: Daniel Sousa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The buried sacred stones of the mahu - dual female/male spirit individuals who brought healing to Hawaii - have been recovered, but the erasure of their history continues. Somber, striking illustrations. Bilingual in Olelo Niihau and English.
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson
Illustrator: Daniel Sousa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
The buried sacred stones of the mahu - dual female/male spirit individuals who brought healing to Hawaii - have been recovered, but the erasure of their history continues. Somber, striking illustrations. Bilingual in Olelo Niihau and English.
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to spot fake news, disinformation & conspiracy theories
Elise Gravel
Illustrator: Elise Gravel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Cartoon-like illustrations introduce and explore the concepts and etiology of various methods of sowing doubt about the truth of news reports. A very appealing and kid-friendly approach to media literacy.
Elise Gravel
Illustrator: Elise Gravel
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Cartoon-like illustrations introduce and explore the concepts and etiology of various methods of sowing doubt about the truth of news reports. A very appealing and kid-friendly approach to media literacy.
Kunwinjku Counting Book, A
Gabriel Maralngurra, Felicity Wright
Illustrator: Gabriel Maralngurra
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sophisticated illustrations inspired by ancient west Australian rock art enhance information about native animals and Aboriginal culture. Back matter includes a pronunciation guide.
Gabriel Maralngurra, Felicity Wright
Illustrator: Gabriel Maralngurra
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sophisticated illustrations inspired by ancient west Australian rock art enhance information about native animals and Aboriginal culture. Back matter includes a pronunciation guide.
Land of Books, A: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A young girl tells her brother how their Aztec parents create books unique to Mexihcah word painters and explains their history. Pre-Colombian-style illustrations. Back matter.
Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A young girl tells her brother how their Aztec parents create books unique to Mexihcah word painters and explains their history. Pre-Colombian-style illustrations. Back matter.
Last Mapmaker, The
Christina Soontornvat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In an imagined old Siam, the daughter of a con man apprentices herself to an elderly mapmaker, leading to the ocean adventure of a lifetime.
Christina Soontornvat
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In an imagined old Siam, the daughter of a con man apprentices herself to an elderly mapmaker, leading to the ocean adventure of a lifetime.
Leave it to Plum!
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Peppy peacock Plum loves that peacocks run free at the zoo as ambassadors. But jealous Itch, a ningbing, causes havoc. Humorous greyscale drawings.
Matt Phelan
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Peppy peacock Plum loves that peacocks run free at the zoo as ambassadors. But jealous Itch, a ningbing, causes havoc. Humorous greyscale drawings.
Leon the Extraordinary (Leon series)
Jamar Nicholas
Illustrator: Jamar Nicholas, Bonaia Rosado (color)
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Pen and ink comic drawings with bright vibrant color depict Leon's heroic journey to self-acceptance as he figures out the right reason for helping others.
Jamar Nicholas
Illustrator: Jamar Nicholas, Bonaia Rosado (color)
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Pen and ink comic drawings with bright vibrant color depict Leon's heroic journey to self-acceptance as he figures out the right reason for helping others.
Lily and the Night Creatures
Nick Lake
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Doppelgängers of her parents have invaded Lily's home. Even though she's battling an illness, it's up to her to save her family. Mysterious black-and-white spot illustrations.
Nick Lake
Illustrator: Emily Gravett
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Doppelgängers of her parents have invaded Lily's home. Even though she's battling an illness, it's up to her to save her family. Mysterious black-and-white spot illustrations.
Lucky Ones, The
Linda Williams Jackson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Ellis Earl lives in poverty, but his teacher gives him hope for the future, inviting him to church programs and even to a meeting with Senator Robert Kennedy.
Linda Williams Jackson
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Ellis Earl lives in poverty, but his teacher gives him hope for the future, inviting him to church programs and even to a meeting with Senator Robert Kennedy.
Maizy Chen's Last Chance
Lisa Lee
Illustrator: Rebecca Shieh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
With her grandfather's health failing, Maizy, 11, spends the summer in Minnesota helping out at the family's Chinese restaurant and learning about her heritage. Warm, moving and multilayered. Greyscale spot art.
Lisa Lee
Illustrator: Rebecca Shieh
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
With her grandfather's health failing, Maizy, 11, spends the summer in Minnesota helping out at the family's Chinese restaurant and learning about her heritage. Warm, moving and multilayered. Greyscale spot art.
Mammoth Math: Everything You Need to Know About Numbers
David Macaulay
Illustrator: David Macaulay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Hundreds of math concepts, from number systems to shapes to probability, are presented with colorful diagrams and cartoon mammoths. Includes glossary, index, multiplication and squares grids, units of measurement, and more.
David Macaulay
Illustrator: David Macaulay
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Hundreds of math concepts, from number systems to shapes to probability, are presented with colorful diagrams and cartoon mammoths. Includes glossary, index, multiplication and squares grids, units of measurement, and more.
Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech
Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Thirty free verse poems about the elements fire, water, air, and earth play imaginatively with words, imagery, similes, and metaphors. Paint and digital illustrations.
Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Thirty free verse poems about the elements fire, water, air, and earth play imaginatively with words, imagery, similes, and metaphors. Paint and digital illustrations.
Marvellers, The
Dhonielle Clayton
Illustrator: Khadijah Khatib
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Conjuror Ella Durand, 11, enters school at the Arcanum Training Institute, not everyone welcomes her. When her mentor disappears and a Marvellian escapes prison, fingers point at Ella. Black-and-white illustrations.
Dhonielle Clayton
Illustrator: Khadijah Khatib
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
When Conjuror Ella Durand, 11, enters school at the Arcanum Training Institute, not everyone welcomes her. When her mentor disappears and a Marvellian escapes prison, fingers point at Ella. Black-and-white illustrations.
Maya's Song
Renee Watson
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
This free-verse tribute to Maya Angelou, Black writer and activist, conveys her courage following the painful childhood experience that silenced her voice for five years. Glorious watercolor and collage illustrations.
Renee Watson
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
This free-verse tribute to Maya Angelou, Black writer and activist, conveys her courage following the painful childhood experience that silenced her voice for five years. Glorious watercolor and collage illustrations.
Million Views, A
Aaron Starmer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sixth grader Brewster makes videos by himself, but when classmates challenge him to make a movie trailer, he makes new friends, and realizes all families are unique.
Aaron Starmer
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sixth grader Brewster makes videos by himself, but when classmates challenge him to make a movie trailer, he makes new friends, and realizes all families are unique.
Miss Quinces
Kat Fajardo
Illustrator: Kat Fjardo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sue has big plans for the summer, but her family has made other arrangements. A dramatic turn of events changes everything. Whimsical graphic art.
Kat Fajardo
Illustrator: Kat Fjardo
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Sue has big plans for the summer, but her family has made other arrangements. A dramatic turn of events changes everything. Whimsical graphic art.
Moon from Dehradun, The: A Story of Partition
Shirin Shamsi
Illustrator: Tarun Lak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In 1947 during the Partition of Inda, a family hurriedly flees their homeland in fear. Back matter includes maps. Digital illustrations.
Shirin Shamsi
Illustrator: Tarun Lak
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In 1947 during the Partition of Inda, a family hurriedly flees their homeland in fear. Back matter includes maps. Digital illustrations.
Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game (Mr. Lemoncello's Library series)
Chris Grabenstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two older teens try to prevent Luigi L. Lemoncello, 13, from creating games and solving treasure hunts with his friends. Black-and-white illustrations involving rebuses.
Chris Grabenstein
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Two older teens try to prevent Luigi L. Lemoncello, 13, from creating games and solving treasure hunts with his friends. Black-and-white illustrations involving rebuses.
My Own Lightning
Lauren Wolk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In 1944, after Annabelle is struck by lightning and acquires the ability to understand animal emotions, she meets Nora who secretly nurtures injured and maltreated animals. Sequel to Wolf Hollow.
Lauren Wolk
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
In 1944, after Annabelle is struck by lightning and acquires the ability to understand animal emotions, she meets Nora who secretly nurtures injured and maltreated animals. Sequel to Wolf Hollow.
Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm's Fight for Change
Tameka Fryer Brown
Illustrator: Nina Crews
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Chisholm, a teacher from Brooklyn, became the first Black woman in Congress and ran for president in 1972. Free verse. Evocative digital collage illustrations. Time line, bibliography.
Tameka Fryer Brown
Illustrator: Nina Crews
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Chisholm, a teacher from Brooklyn, became the first Black woman in Congress and ran for president in 1972. Free verse. Evocative digital collage illustrations. Time line, bibliography.
Odder
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A rescued otter pup encounters both joy and peril when reintroduced to the wild. Based on actual Monterey Bay Aquarium cases. Free verse. Soft black-and-white illustrations. Glossary, bibliography, resources.
Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
A rescued otter pup encounters both joy and peril when reintroduced to the wild. Based on actual Monterey Bay Aquarium cases. Free verse. Soft black-and-white illustrations. Glossary, bibliography, resources.
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza (Omega Morales series)
Laekan Zea Kemp
Illustrator: Vanessa Morales
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
From a magical family of empaths, Mexican American Omega, 12, her cousin Carlitos, and a ghost solve the mystery of a giant owl wreaking havoc in their Texas town. Occasional greyscale illustrations.
Laekan Zea Kemp
Illustrator: Vanessa Morales
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
From a magical family of empaths, Mexican American Omega, 12, her cousin Carlitos, and a ghost solve the mystery of a giant owl wreaking havoc in their Texas town. Occasional greyscale illustrations.
Once I Was You
Maria Hinojosa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago, Hinojosa chronicles her journey from being an immigrant with big dreams to becoming an award-winning journalist. Also available in Spanish. Young reader's edition.
Maria Hinojosa
Ages: 9+
Published: 2022
Born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago, Hinojosa chronicles her journey from being an immigrant with big dreams to becoming an award-winning journalist. Also available in Spanish. Young reader's edition.