The Blue Jays That Grew a ForestLynn Street, illustrated by Anne HunterA year in the lives of omnivorous blue jays, who, in the fall, stash ripened acorns far and wide, not all of which are eaten, but instead grow into oaks. Gentle mixed- media illustrations. Notes on keystone species and symbiosis.Five to NineView book detailsBank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2026
A large annual list organized by age group and subject.
The Best Children's Books of the Year [2026 edition]See the original list
Selections619
Published byBank Street College of Education
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Five to Nine
19 of 216 selections on this pageContinued from page 5
The Blue Jays That Grew a ForestLynn Street, illustrated by Anne HunterA year in the lives of omnivorous blue jays, who, in the fall, stash ripened acorns far and wide, not all of which are eaten, but instead grow into oaks. Gentle mixed- media illustrations. Notes on keystone species and symbiosis.Five to NineView book details
Don’t Eat the Cleaners!: Tiny Fish with a BIG JobSusan StockdaleTo stay healthy, marine animals need to have parasites and dead skin removed. At coral reef cleaning stations, wrasse, angelfish, cleaner shrimp, and other sea creatures provide that service. Colorful digital illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the PlanetMartha Brockenbrough, illustrated by Juana Martinez-NealMyriad organic and inorganic materials, both ancient and new, float nearly invisibly through our atmosphere on an epic journey. Rich mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
I, Rock: A Geology TaleKatie SlivenskyA small rock narrates his story as part of Earth’s geological history, from four billion years ago to the present. Bold illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
I Am a LionessHyewon KyungClearing up the misconception that males run the pride, a lioness explains that it is the females that band together for safety, food, security, and protection of the cubs. Paint and pencil illustrations on handmade paper.Five to NineView book details
In the World of WhalesMichelle Cusolito, illustrated by Jessica LananA free diver happens upon a sperm whale birth. The miraculous experience impacts him deeply. The blue illustration color palette invites readers beneath the ocean too.Five to NineView book details
The Lonely GooseLela NargiFollow a goose as she mates, raises goslings, mourns when her partner dies, and then finds a new mate. Mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Meena and the MicrobiomeDr. Majdi OsmanMeena’s scientist mom provides clear explanations about the fascinating role of microbes in our world and bodies. Digital art. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History MuseumMelissa Stewart, illustrated by Brian LiesDiscover the amazing number of the world’s tiniest mammals and the environments they live in. Acrylic and pencil illustrations. Bibliography.Five to NineView book details
Salmon Run: An Epic Journey to the Ocean and BackAnnie ChenFollow the remarkable and perilous life of a Pacific Northwest salmon, from hatchling to parent. Lush translucent illustrations. Maps. Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Stuck!: The Story of La Brea Tar PitsJoyce Uglow, illustrated by Valerya MilovanovaExcavation of the Los Angeles tar pit revealed clues about its formation and the fossilized prehistoric creatures entrapped there. Lyrical text. Evocative, dynamic illustrations. Time line, glossary.Five to NineView book details
Sun Bird: The Amazing Journey of the Arctic TernLindsay MooreOne year in the life of a bird that feeds, mates, nests, and eludes predators while migrating 18,000 miles each year. Dramatic immersive digital art. Rich back matter.Five to NineView book details
Sunflower SeedsEllen HeckA teacher gives each student a few seedlings to nurture over the summer so they can witness the wonders of nature up close. Vibrant oil illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles: A Curious Counting BookSteve Jenkins, Robin PageFascinating facts with exquisite detailed collage art bring remarkable animals up close. Find creatures with nine eyes or five legs or two tongues! Back matter.Five to NineView book details
Trapped in the Tar Pit: How Paleontologists Unearthed a City’s Prehistoric PastJessica StremerThe history of the massive graveyard of extinct animals that was unearthed in Los Angeles 40,000 years after the tar pit’s formation. Stylized digital illustrations. Species index, historical notes, resources.Five to NineView book details
The True and Lucky Life of a TurtleSy MontgomeryFire Chief was a fortunate turtle for most of his 40+ years, until he was hit by a car. Afterward, with help from a rescue league, he recovered. Dramatic, realistic illustrations.Five to NineView book details
Zero!: The Number That Almost Wasn’tSarah Albee, illustrated by Chris HsuThe concept of zero was not always universally accepted, and controversy over its existence has had a long history of political and religious biases. Time- period-specific illustrations. Back matter.Five to NineATOS 5.0AR interest LG K-3View book details
Soy Sauce!Laura G. LeeThis Asian staple is actually many, since every country that makes it has its own distinct methods and ingredients. Jaunty text with tempting mixed-media illustrations (including several different soy sauces).Five to NineView book details
This Is Orange: A Field Trip Through ColorRachel Poliquin, illustrated by Julie MorstadThe history, etymology, chemical makeup(s), and symbologies of the “color between yellow and red,” which there was once no word for in English. Luscious mixed-media illustrations.Five to NineATOS 4.7AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book detailsNine to Twelve
41 of 118 selections on this pageContinues on page 7
Benny on the CaseWesley KingBenny, who has mosaic Down syndrome, makes a new friend at school. Together they try to solve the mystery of who is stealing at the retirement home where Benny lives.Nine to TwelveATOS 4.6AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World (Mouse Adventures series)Torben Kuhlmann, translated from German by David Henry WilsonAfter seeing a picture of a lion, a field mouse decides to fly to Africa to see if the great felines really exist. Flying adventures ensue. Realistic watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea MysteryMitali Perkins, illustrated by Maithili JoshiIn this exploration of cultural and social issues in northern India, Sona must find out who has robbed her older friend’s family gold. Grayscale digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics: The Graphic NovelChris GrabensteinMr. Lemoncello invites the national champions to compete in his Library Olympics, and the winners are promised a full college scholarship. Can their brilliance also defend against the threat of censorship? Cartoon- style graphics.Nine to TwelveView book details
Absolutely Everything: A Graphic NovelDamian AlexanderMarcella is overwhelmed by sixth grade: friendships, homework, and a move. Finding out that she has ADHD helps her learn what she needs to thrive. Bold, clear artwork conveys her inner world.Nine to TwelveView book details
Adi of Boutanga: A Story from CameroonAlain Serge DzotapAdi is 13, and her uncle, the head of the family, wants to marry her off, but her parents send her to a special school instead. Deeply colored, stylized oil illustrations. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
After: A Survivor’s StoryHallee AdelmanA young survivor of a horrible event finds a safe place to process what happened and companionship with another survivor. Expressive illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Change Is Gonna ComeSam Cooke, illustrated by Nikkolas SmithLines of a renowned Civil Rights anthem are accompanied by moving and powerful illustrations of landmark events in African American history, described in detail in the back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Old Blue Is My Home: A Picture BookLita JudgeA young girl accepts that her family lives in a van and enjoys many things about her nomadic life, but she also feels like an outcast at school. Watercolor and pencil illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Pilgrim CodexVivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, Carlos Rodríguez CortezA current-day story of migration from Mexico to the U.S., told by a boy enduring the difficult trip. Richly colored illustrations in Mesoamerican codex style, based on 10th–16th century manuscripts. Author’s note. Glossary.Nine to TwelveATOS 3.7AR interest Lower Grades (LG K-3)View book details
Please Pay AttentionJamie SumnerTwelve-year-old Bea, a wheelchair user, struggles with her reactions to a devastating shooting at her school as she works to process her grief. Told in lyrical free verse.Nine to TwelveView book details
ChickenpoxRemy LaiWhen Abby, 12, and her younger siblings get the chickenpox at the same time, mayhem ensues. Clear, colorful illustrations. Based on the author’s childhood experience.Nine to TwelveATOS 3.0AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Danilo Was HereTamika BurgessIn Panamá in 1989, against the backdrop of the U.S. invasion, a talented young baseball player’s skills give him a chance to visit California and search for his deadbeat father.Nine to TwelveATOS 5.0AR interest MGView book details
Finding LostHolly Goldberg SloanWhen a little lost dog follows middle schooler Cordy home, he proves to be just the catalyst her family needs to move on from the loss of her father.Nine to TwelveView book details
Gus and GlorySarah GuilloryA 12-year-old girl spends the summer with grandparents she barely knows. A stray bloodhound becomes the perfect collaborator in her quest to unravel the mystery of her missing mother.Nine to TwelveATOS 4.1AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
A Hero’s Guide to Summer VacationPablo CartayaGrief-stricken 13-year-old Gonzalo reluctantly joins his estranged abuelo, a famous fantasy-writer, on the final tour to promote his grandfather’s best-selling book series.Nine to TwelveLexile 781LATOS 5View book details
Octopus MoonBobbie PyronPearl’s burgeoning sensitivity leads to a diagnosis of depression. At first resistant to her doctor’s advice, she starts to try one new thing at a time. Free verse.Nine to TwelveLexile HL610LATOS 4.1View book details
The Ripple EffectRebecca CapraraMarzella’s sixth-grade prank bombed, and the class was punished. The principal gives her a chance for a do-over, which morphs into a townwide community service project.Nine to TwelveView book details
Safe HarborPadma VenkatramanAfter moving from India to Rhode Island, Geetha joins her new friend Miguel to rescue a harp seal pup and organize a community beach cleanup. Author’s note. Resources.Nine to TwelveATOS 5.1AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
Shell Song: Based on a True Family StorySharon Fujimoto-JohnsonA Hawaiian Japanese immigrant patriarch’s spirit breaks after he is imprisoned following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His family remembers him through his seashell collection. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations. Back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Through Sand and Salt: A Tale of Discovery Across the SaharaElizabeth ZunonMalik makes his first difficult journey through the desert with his father’s camel caravan, trading precious salt for necessary goods. Acrylics, oil paints, and pastels create sweeping landscapes. Author’s note.Nine to TwelveView book details
Weird Sad and SilentAlison McGheeDaisy, 10, “invisibilizes” and counts to 111 whenever she is confronted by the school bullies. Can the new boy help her to be brave?Nine to TwelveView book details
The Gate, the Girl, and the DragonGrace Lin, illustrated by Grace LinAfter kicking the Sacred Sphere out of the stone spirit world into the human world, lion cub Jin must find a way back before it is too late. Bright illustrations.Nine to TwelveATOS 5.2AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
The Library of Unruly TreasuresJeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Matt PhelanA girl from a dysfunctional family visits a loving uncle, fulfilling a prophecy of finding a new home for a clan of small winged creatures—and ultimately herself. Black- and-white watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveATOS 4.8AR interest MG 4–8View book details
The Boy Who Lost His SparkMaggie O’FarrellUnhappy after his family moves to the country, Jem refuses to believe that an ancient creature called a nouka exists, despite his sister’s insistence. Soft ink and watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head series)Scott Campbell, illustrated by Scott CampbellFollow the adventures of best buds Cabin Head and Tree Head and their community as they support each other’s challenges, disappointments, and some silly ideas. Detailed watercolor illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Cousins in the Time of MagicEmma OtheguyKids time-travel to 1862, helping Mexico gain victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, impacting the American Civil War. Black-and-white spot illustrations. Glossary, notes, sources.Nine to TwelveView book details
Evie and RhinoNeridah McMullinEvie bonds with shipwrecked Rhino, but he belongs to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Society. Can she keep him? Detailed grayscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Forest of a Thousand EyesFrances Hardinge, illustrated by Emily GravettWhen a stranger steals the precious spyglass her people rely on for survival, Feather sets out on a dangerous quest to retrieve it. Evocative prose. Atmospheric drawings in green hues.Nine to TwelveATOS 5.8AR interest Middle Grades Plus (MG+ 6 and up)View book details
Losing the PlotAnnaleise ByrdWhile reading Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel together, Basil and his student, Terry, are catapulted into the dangerous world of unionized fairy alliances, and enlisted to help rescue Hansel.Nine to TwelveView book details
Lost Evangeline (Norendy Tales series)Kate DiCamilloA shoemaker adopts a tiny girl, but his wife sells her for gold, sending both father and daughter off on a string of adventures. Detailed grayscale illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
OasisGuojingSeparated from their mother and barely surviving in a barren desert, JieJie and DiDi manage to reactivate an obsolete robot, which evolves into a capable caregiver. Windswept, monochrome illustrations.Nine to TwelveATOS 2.0AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Stitch Head: The Graphic NovelGuy BassForgotten by his mad scientist creator, a patchwork creature is lured in by the evil ringleader of a traveling carnival. Spooky illustrations. Adapted from the Stitch Head chapter book series.Nine to TwelveView book details
TygerS.F. Said, illustrated by Dave McKeanWhen Adam finds a wounded mythical tyger, he and his friend Zadie must help the animal escape London before it is captured and the city is destroyed. Black- and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
Vanya and the Wild Hunt (Vanya Vallen Adventures series)Sangu MandannaAn 11-year-old neurodivergent British Indian girl is transported to an enchanted community where she learns about her heritage and how to fight dangerous mythical monsters. Black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Village Beyond the MistSachiko Kashiwaba; translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa, illustrated by Miho SatakeLina is sent to a mysterious hidden village for summer vacation. She is expected to work there, helping out the townspeople and their mythical creatures. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
A Wolf Called FireRoseanne ParryWarm, the smallest of the wolf pack, is suddenly responsible for its survival against enemy wolves, huntsmen, and natural disasters. Engaging text. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations. Extensive back matter.Nine to TwelveView book details
Bunns RabbitAlan BarillaroA kit, shunned and maligned for having short ears, wishes to be like all the other rabbits … with harrowing results. Alternately soaring and intimate digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
The Edge of the Silver SeaAlex MullarkyBlair, desperate to move back from the remote, mystical Scottish island she’s just landed on, strikes a bargain with a malevolent ancient Celtic goddess. Map. Black-and-white spot illustrations.Nine to TwelveView book details
CeeCee: Underground Railroad CinderellaShana Keller, illustrated by Laura FreemanIn the antebellum South, a bullied enslaved Black girl plots her escape, with the help of Harriet Tubman. Intimate digital illustrations.Nine to TwelveLexile 650LATOS 4.0View book details
The Enemy’s DaughterAnne BlankmanSeparated from her father during World War I, Marta hides her German identity while living with an Irish family in England.Nine to TwelveATOS 5.2AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details