Olympic Reads

Learn more about the Summer Olympics with these reads for adults, teens, and kids. Available to borrow at SCLS.

Updated August 9, 2024
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The history of the Olympic Games : faster, higher, stronger
Paper Book
Published in association with the International Olympic Committee, The History of the Olympic Games: Faster, Higher, Stronger is the definitive illustrated chronicle of the world's biggest sporting event. Featuring stunning photographs and artefacts from the archive of the...
The suspect : an Olympic bombing, the FBI, the media, and Richard Jewell, the man caught in the middle
Alexander, Kent
Paper Book
A based-on source for the Warner Bros. film Richard Jewell, starring Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, and Paul Walter Hauser​ "Meticulously reported, bracingly written, full of memorable and bizarre characters, the book casts a...
On your mark, get set, gold! :
Allen, Scott,
Paper Book
Packed with awe-inspiring facts, this hilariously informative guide will make readers laugh their sports socks off! From boxing to boccia, find out just what it takes to compete in every sport in the summer games. You'll discover what makes each sport great -- and not so great -- as well as what...
Today we die a little! : the inimitable Emil Zátopek, the greatest Olympic runner of all time
Askwith, Richard
Paper Book
"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to enjoy something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." -- Emil Zápek For a decade after the Second World War, Emil Zápek -- "the Czech locomotive" -- redefined the...
In the water they can't see you cry : a memoir
Beard, Amanda.
Paper Book
In a candid and ultimately uplifting memoir, international swimming star Amanda Beard reveals the truth about coming of age in the Olympic spotlight, the demons she battled along the way, and the newfound happiness that has proved to be her greatest victory. In this candid and...
Courage to soar :
Biles, Simone,
Paper Book
In Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world--and how you too...
Aquatics /
Bolte, Mari,
Paper Book
Water sports at the Summer Games are amazing to watch! From swimming to diving and even water polo, elementary readers will discover the power and grace it takes to win gold in these aquatic events. Action photos and straightforward text introduce swimming's Olympic history, equipment, and...
Gymnastics /
Bolte, Mari,
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to the sport of gymnastics and its floor and apparatus events. Includes biographical facts about Hmong-American artistic gymnast Suni Lee"--
Rowing /
Bolte, Mari,
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to the sport of rowing. Includes biographical facts about English rower and gold medalist Steven Redgrave, whom many consider the best rower of all time"--
Wrestling /
Bolte, Mari,
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to the combat sport of wrestling, both freestyle and Greco-Roman events. Includes biographical facts about American freestyle medalist Jordan Burroughs"--
The boys in the boat : nine Americans and their epic quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Brown, Daniel
Paper Book
For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" and "Unbroken," the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics " "Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest...
Jesse Owens /
Buckley, James,
Paper Book
Discover the inspiring story of Jesse Owens, African American track-and-field athlete and Olympic gold medalist, in this fascinating kids' biography. Jesse Owens is one of the most famous athletes of all time, but he experienced discrimination throughout his athletic career, such...
Who is Katie Ledecky? /
Buckley, James,
Paper Book
Learn how a young girl who loved being in the water became one of the greatest Olympic swimmers of all time in this exciting addition to the Who HQ Now series featuring newsmakers and trending topics. Katie Ledecky began swimming competitively at age six after watching her...
The science behind gymnastics /
Carmichael, L. E.
Paper Book
Behind every jump, spin and flip of Olympic gymnastics, science is at work. Centrifugal force is at work in a midair spin and a strong centre of gravity is involved in balance beam routines. Newton's Third Law of Motion springs into action as a gymnast flies into the air in the vaulting event. Find...
The three-year swim club : the untold story of Maui's Sugar Ditch kids and their quest for Olympic glory
Checkoway, Julie
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling inspirational story of impoverished children who transformed themselves into world-class swimmers. In 1937, a schoolteacher on the island of Maui challenged a group of poverty-stricken sugar plantation kids to swim upstream against the...
Work With What You Got :
Clark, Zion/ Hirsch, James S.
Paper Book
Elite wheelchair racer, wrestler, and America's Got Talent contestant Zion Clark joins with New York Times best-selling author James S. Hirsch for a stunning memoir--recounting childhood adversity, awe-inspiring perseverance, and self-invention. When a baby named...
She persisted in sports : American Olympians who changed the game
Clinton, Chelsea
Paper Book
From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring women athletes who overcame and inspired--perfect for fans of the Olympics! Throughout history, women have been told that they couldn't...
Team sports of the summer games
Derr, Aaron
Paper Book
Only a few countries were represented by athletes at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. But now, more than 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries compete in the Summer Olympic Games. These athletes compete in more than 300 events. The games showcase the strength, skills,...
Grace, gold, & glory :
Douglas, Gabrielle,
Paper Book
The inspiring autobiography from Gabrielle Douglas--the first African-American gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around champion--revealing her journey from the time she first entered a gym to her gold-medal-winning performances. In the 2012 London Olympics, US...
Olympic pride, American prejudice :
Draper, Deborah Riley,
Paper Book
Discover the astonishing, inspirational, and largely unknown true story of the eighteen African American athletes who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, defying the racism of both Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow South. Set against the turbulent backdrop of a segregated...
Cycling /
Gish, Ashley
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to cycling, the sport known for speed and endurance on bikes. Includes biographical facts about BMX cyclist and gold medalist Charlotte Worthington"--
Fencing /
Gish, Ashley
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to the sport of fencing and its three events: foil, saber, and épée. Includes biographical facts about French gold-medalist Romain Cannone"--
Triathlon /
Gish, Ashley
Paper Book
"Celebrate the Summer Olympic Games with this elementary-level introduction to triathlon, the sporting event that includes swimming, biking, and running all in one. Includes biographical facts about Flora Duffy, Bermudas first ever Olympic gold medalist"--
The games :
Goldblatt, David,
Paper Book
The definitive sports and social history of the modern Olympic games--by a New York Times best-selling sportswriter. A Boston Globe Best Book of 2016 A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of 2016 For millions of people around the world, the...
How to watch the Olympics :
Goldblatt, David,
Paper Book
The must-have guide to the Summer Olympic Games This summer, millions of Americans will tune into the Olympic Games, the largest and most popular sporting event in the world. Yet while it's easy to be fascinated by agile gymnasts, poised equestrians, and perfectly synchronized swimmers,...
The longest race :
Goucher, Kara.
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In "one of the most important athlete memoirs of its generation" (Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Olympian Kara Goucher reveals her experience of living through and speaking out about one of the biggest...
What are the Summer Olympics? /
Herman, Gail,
Paper Book
Back in 775 BC, athletes from all over Ancient Greece came together to compete in various games. The contests were held every four years and winning athletes brought honor and respect to their homelands. The tradition of the Olympic Games faded over time until 1896, when they were...
Unbroken :
Hillenbrand, Laura.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: Unbroken and Unbroken: Path to Redemption. "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic."--The Wall Street...
Berlin 1936 : sixteen days in August
Hilmes, Oliver
Paper Book
Named a Best Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Financial Times A lively account of the 1936 Olympics told through the voices and stories of those who witnessed it, from an award-winning historian and biographer ...
Fast girls :
Hooper, Elise
Paper Book
ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF THE SUMMER BY POPSUGAR, FROLIC, PARADE, TRAVEL & LEISURE, SHE KNOWS, and SHE READS!  NAMED A REAL SIMPLE BEST BOOK OF 2020 (SO FAR). "Fast Girls is a compelling, thrilling look at what it takes to be a female Olympian in pre...
Women in sports : 50 fearless athletes who played to win
Ignotofsky, Rachel
Paper Book
A charmingly illustrated and inspiring book, Women in Sports highlights the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes--from well-known figures like tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Simone Biles, to lesser-known athletes like skateboarding pioneer Patti McGee and Toni...
All in :
King, Billie Jean
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER * An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice. "A story about the personal strength, immense growth,...
Nazi games :
Large, David Clay.
Paper Book
Athletics and politics collide in a critical event for Nazi Germany and the contemporary world. The torch relay -- that staple of Olympic pageantry -- first opened the summer games in 1936 in Berlin. Proposed by the Nazi Propaganda Ministry, the relay was to carry the symbolism of a new...
Just add water :
Ledecky, Katie,
Paper Book
A New York Times bestselling memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and the most decorated US female Olympian in history: Katie Ledecky. Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. She is a four-time Olympian, a nine...
Choosing to run :
Linden, Des,
Paper Book
Featuring both the story of an historic, unforgettable win and insight into the life of an indelible champion, Choosing to Run is a truly inspirational memoir from Boston Marathon winner and Olympian Des Linden, sharing her personal story and what motivates her to keep showing up. <...
Swifter, higher, stronger : a photographic history of the Summer Olympics
Macy, Sue.
Paper Book
Let the games begin again! Acclaimed sports writer Sue Macy's comprehensive portrait of the Summer Olympics has now been fully updated for the 2008 games in Beijing, China. This new edition includes a complete retrospective of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The new text will also incorporate...
Simone Biles /
Magoon, Kekla.
Paper Book
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Simone Biles! Simone Biles was raised by her grandparents and had to overcome...
Games of deception :
Maraniss, Andrew.
Paper Book
*"Rivaling the nonfiction works of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat....Even readers who don't appreciate sports will find this story a page-turner." --School Library Connection, starred review *"A must for all library collections." --...
Inaugural ballers :
Maraniss, Andrew.
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the inspirational true story of the birth of women's Olympic basketball at the 1976 Summer Games and the ragtag team that put US women's basketball on the map. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown...
Path Lit by Lightning :
Maraniss, David
Paper Book
A riveting new biography of America's greatest all-around athlete by the bestselling author of the classic biography When Pride Still Mattered. Jim Thorpe rose to world fame as a mythic talent who excelled at every sport. He won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon...
Rome 1960 :
Maraniss, David
Paper Book
From the New York Times-bestselling author of Clemente and When Pride Still Mattered comes the blockbuster story of the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome--17 days that helped define the modern world.
Butterfly :
Mardini, Yusra,
Paper Book
Butterfly is the inspiring story of how one woman saved fellow refugees from drowning--and how she went on to become an Olympic swimmer. When young Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini realized her boat's engine shut down as she was traveling from Syria to Greece with other...
Dream team :
McCallum, Jack,
Paper Book
They were the Beatles of basketball, the Mercury Seven in sneakers.   In Dream Team, acclaimed sports journalist Jack McCallum delivers the untold story of the greatest team ever assembled: the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team that captivated the world, kindled the...
The Olympics encyclopedia /
McDougall, Chr?os,
Paper Book
This encyclopedia highlights more than 40 Olympic sports. Alongside both historic and recent photographs, readers will learn about the basics of each competition, its origin, how it has changed throughout the years, and the icons in each sport. In addition, this book provides information about the...
Splash! :
Means, Howard B.
Paper Book
Choose a stroke and get paddling through the human history of swimming! From man's first recorded dip into what's now the driest spot on earth to the splashing, sparkling pool party in your backyard, humans have been getting wet for 10,000 years. And for...
Fire on the track :
Montillo, Roseanne.
Paper Book
The inspiring and irresistible true story of the women who broke barriers and finish-line ribbons in pursuit of Olympic Gold When Betty Robinson assumed the starting position at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, she was participating in what was only her fourth-ever organized...
Hour of the Olympics /
Osborne, Mary Pope
Paper Book
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! No girls allowed at the Olympic Games! That's the rule when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to ancient Greece. But when Annie tells jack to go...
The horsewoman : a novel
Patterson, James
Paper Book
This "hugely entertaining, riveting page-turner" (Louise Penny) follows the complicated relationship between mother and daughter as they face off in the Olympics--and into a ride they can barely control. Maggie Atwood and Becky McCabe, mother and daughter, both champion...
No limits : the will to succeed
Phelps, Michael
Paper Book
"When I'm focused, there is not one single thing, person, anything that can stand in the way of my doing something. There is not. If I want something bad enough, I feel I'm gonna get there."Michael Phelps is one of the greatest competitors the world has ever seen. From teen sensation in Sydney to...
One life /
Rapinoe, Megan,
Paper Book
Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medallist and two-time Women's World Cup champion, has become a galvanizing force for social change; here, she urges all of us to take up the mantle, with actions big and small, to continue the fight for justice and equality. Using anecdotes from her own life and career,...
Naomi Osaka :
Rothenberg, Ben
Paper Book
Most tennis fans met the Haitian-American/Japanese player Naomi Osaka for the first time as they watched her win the 2018 US Open in an unforgettably dramatic and controversial match against Serena Williams. Since then, Osaka has galvanized the tennis world not only by winning three more grand slams...
Triumph :
Schaap, Jeremy.
Paper Book
From the ESPN national correspondent and author of the New York Times bestseller Cinderella Man comes the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of a defining moment in sports and world history. In 1936, against a backdrop of swastikas flying and a storm troopers goose-stepping, an...
Chalked up :
Sey, Jennifer
Paper Book
Updated With a New Introduction "I am grateful to Jennifer Sey for sharing such an honest account of her experiences as an elite gymnast. She has eloquently and fairly exposed a dark side to our sport that parents have long needed to be made aware of." --Dominique Moceanu, Olympic...
Simone Biles /
Sâanchez Vegara, Ma Isabel
Paper Book
In this book from the best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the inspiring life of Simone Biles, the record-breaking gymnast and mental-health advocate. Growing up in foster care, Simone's gymnastics training was an anchor in her life. She first tried the sport...
Usain Bolt /
Sâanchez Vegara, Ma Isabel
Paper Book
Learn about the incredible life of Usain Bolt, the record-breaking athlete who's charisma and drive has won his fans across the world. Growing up in a rural town in Jamaica, Usain was a standout cricketer and sprinter from a young age. His school coach noticed his talent, and by age...
Forward :
Wambach, Abby,
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Lucid and wrenching...Forward puts [Wambach's] achievement in context with painful and beautiful candor." --NPR "Forward is the powerful story of an athlete who has inspired girls all over the world to believe in themselves."  -...
The other Olympians :
Waters, Michael,
Paper Book
Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by The New Yorker "Michael Waters performs an Olympian act of storytelling, using the stories of these extraordinary athletes to explore in brilliant detail the struggle for understanding and equality." --Jonathan Eig, author of...
Extreme abilities :
Watson, Galadriel Findlay.
Paper Book
Join author Galadriel Watson as she takes us on a journey of discovery--a tour of the human body's amazing abilities, featuring masters of muscle, speed demons, brain bosses, and more! Extreme Abilities is a fun and fascinating survey of what humans are capable of, with examples from...
Epic athletes.
Wetzel, Dan,
Paper Book
Kicking off his new series of sports biographies for young readers, journalist Dan Wetzel tells the inspiring true life story of a US Women's Soccer star in Epic Athletes: Alex Morgan. Featuring graphic-style illustrations by Cory Thomas! Fierce...

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