Sports YA

Updated November 25, 2024
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Out of our league : 16 stories of girls in sports
Adler, Dahlia
Paper Book
A compelling YA anthology from editors Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli about the trials and triumphs of girls in sports. A January/February 2024 Kid's Indie Next Pick! A Junior Library Guild Selection A New York Public Library Best Book of 2024 <...
Strong like you
Simpson, T. L.
Paper Book
I haven't cried one time since you disappeared. Not even at football practice when Paton Roper told the whole team you were probably dead. He said, "You know how sometimes a dog gets sick or bites somebody and you have to put it down?" Somebody said, "Yep." "That's probably what...
Warrior on the mound
Headen, Sandra W.
Paper Book
Narrated by twelve-year-old Cato, this intense and evocative story of racial unrest in prewar North Carolina ends with a dramatic match between white and Black little league teams. 1935. Twelve-year-old Cato wants nothing more than to play baseball, perfect his pitch, and meet Mr...
Time out
Hayes, Sean
Paper Book
Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights in this "seamless, engrossing" (Publishers Weekly) coming-of-age story about a teen hometown hero who must find out who he is outside of basketball when his coming out as gay costs him his popularity and place on the team.
You don't have a shot
Marie, Racquel
Paper Book
A queer YA romance about rival soccer players from author Racquel Marie, perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy. Valentina "Vale" Castillo-Green's life revolves around soccer. Her friends, her future, and her father's intense expectations are all wrapped up in the...
No stopping us now : a novel
Bledsoe, Lucy Jane
Paper Book
Finalist, Golden Poppy Award for Best Young Adult Fiction! "A timeless and triumphant story of courage in the face of opposition." --Foreword Reviews (starred review) It's 1974. Title IX has passed two years ago, but Louisa's high school still refuses...
Bruised
Boteju, Tanya
Paper Book
"A searing portrait of self-discovery; soulful and captivating." --Kirkus Reviews Whip It meets We Are Okay in this vibrant coming-of-age story about a teen girl navigating first love, identity, and grief as she immerses herself in the colorful, brutal,...
Icebreaker
Graziadei, A. L.
Paper Book
A. L. Graziadei's Icebreaker is an irresistible YA debut about two hockey players fighting to be the best--and the romance that catches them by surprise along the way. Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey...
Shot clock
Butler, Caron
Paper Book
Former NBA All-Star Caron Butler and acclaimed author Justin A. Reynolds tip off the first book in a new middle grade series about a young boy trying to make his mark on an AAU basketball team coached by a former NBA star in his hometown. Perfect for fans of The Crossover and the Track series. A...
Here to stay
Farizan, Sara
Paper Book
"A powerful YA novel about identity and prejudice." --Entertainment Weekly Bijan Majidi is: Shy around girls Really into comics Decent at basketball Bijan Majidi is not: ...
Polo cowboy
Neri, Greg
Paper Book
How does a Black kid from North Philly wind up playing polo? The much-anticipated sequel to Ghetto Cowboy, now a major motion picture starring Idris Elba and Stranger Things's Caleb McLaughlin. When Cole moves in with his dad, Harp, he thinks life will be sweet-...
Why we fly
Jones, Kimberly
Paper Book
Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable book in the Young Adult category From the New York Times bestselling authors of I'm Not Dying with You Tonight comes a story about friendship, privilege, sports, and protest. With a rocky start to senior year, cheerleaders and lifelong best friends...
Breath like water
Jarzab, Anna
Paper Book
"Expansive, romantic, and powerful." --Gayle Forman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My Way Susannah Ramos has always loved the water. A swimmer whose early talent made her a world champion, Susannah was poised for greatness in a sport...
Ghost
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read. Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this...
The easy part of impossible
Tomp, Sarah
Paper Book
After an injury forces Ria off the diving team, an unexpected friendship with Cotton, a guy on the autism spectrum, helps her come to terms with the abusive relationship she's been in with her former coach. Ria Williams was an elite diver on track for the Olympics. As someone who struggled...
It's all in how you fall
Henning, Sarah
Paper Book
A contemporary young adult romance about moving on, finding your place, and recovering after life falls apart. Gymnast Caroline Kepler has three state balance beam titles, a new trick even most elites can't do--and chronic, undeniable back pain. While she might...
A high five for Glenn Burke
Bildner, Phil
Paper Book
A 2021 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020 A 2021 ALA Rainbow Book A Bank Street Best Book of 2021 A heartfelt and relatable novel from Phil Bildner, weaving the real history of Los Angeles...
See no color
Gibney, Shannon
Paper Book
From the author of the Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be Black daughter, white father, white mother. Race, adoption, and identity collide in this award-winning debut about a teen challenging the life she's always known. ...
Like other girls
Lundin, Britta
Paper Book
"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no...
Game changer
Shusterman, Neal
Paper Book
"A timely, speculative thought experiment in perspective, privilege, and identity." --Kirkus "The conceit behind Shusterman's latest is truly unique. While it exhibits the author's usual storytelling aplomb, it also manages to delve into more serious and timely subject matter, such as...
Home field advantage
Adler, Dahlia
Paper Book
"Home Field Advantage has it all. A swoony romance, characters you will be cheering for from start to finish, and a plot that sucks you in from the very first page. An instant favorite, perfectly capturing the power in being true to yourself and fighting for what is right." - Rachael...
The crossover
Alexander, Kwame.
Paper Book
Series streaming now on Disney+, with executive producers including NBA great LeBron James! The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning middle grade bestseller! Basketball and heartache share the court in this slam-dunk novel in verse. "With a bolt of lightning on my...
Obie is man enough
Bailar, Schuyler
Paper Book
A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. For fans of Alex Gino's George and Lisa Bunker's Felix Yz. Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and...
Home run
Green, Tim
Paper Book
Josh's life has just fallen apart. His father will no longer be coaching the travel baseball team and is moving to Florida, forcing his mom and little sister to move into a small apartment on the wrong side of town. To make matters worse, the new coach of the travel team is an...
Foul trouble
Feinstein, John.
Paper Book
Bestselling sports writer John Feinstein exposes the big money and back room deals that go into college recruiting in this high-octane YA novel. Terrell Jamerson is the #1 high school basketball player in the country. His team is poised to win the states. He's got top colleges...
Finding her edge
Iacopelli, Jennifer
Paper Book
For fans of Emma Lord and Abbi Glines, Jennifer Iacopelli's swoony, romantic new novel follows elite ice dancer Adriana Russo as she finds herself drawn to both her old dance partner and her new one. Adriana Russo is figure skating royalty.   With gold-medalist...

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