Olympic Fever

We're all cheering on Team USA as they compete in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics! Here are some titles for a deeper dive into some of the sports and athletes, past and present.

Updated August 1, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Flying high : the story of gymnastics champion Simone Biles
Meadows, Michelle
Paper Book
A lyrical picture book biography of Simone Biles, gymnastics champion and Olympic superstar. Before she was a record-breaking gymnast competing on the world stage, Simone Biles spent time in foster care as a young child. Nimble and boundlessly energetic, she cherished every...
The first Olympics Athens 1896
White, Larry
DVD
A French baron and a Princeton professor promote and provide for an international modern Olympics.
Track and field
Doeden, Matt.
Paper Book
Presents information about track and field in the Olympics including events such as relays, hurdles, pole vault, javelin throw, and shot put.
Just add water : my swimming life
Ledecky, Katie
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller A candid and inspiring 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...
Olympics
Oxlade, Chris.
Paper Book
Surveys the history and traditions of the Olympics, highlighting memorable events from ancient Greece to the present day.
The games : a global history of the Olympics
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...
Simone Biles
Sanchez Vegara, Maria Isabel
Paper Book
Kid Olympians, summer : true tales of childhood from champions and game changers
Stevenson, Robin
Paper Book
Featured in the New York Times Triumphant, relatable, and totally true biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of international athletes who have captured the world's attention at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, like Simone Biles, Jesse Owens, Naomi...
Touch the sky : Alice Coachman, Olympic high jumper
Malaspina, Ann
Paper Book
CCBC Choices 2013 2014-2015 Children's Crown Award 2013-2014 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature 2015 Louisiana Readers' Choice Master List A 2013 CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People ...
Simone Biles
Sabelko, Rebecca
Paper Book
Simone Biles is an Olympic champion. She has won seven medals, including 4 gold medals. In this fast-paced title, reluctant readers will learn about Simone's storied career. Engaging text and vibrant photos show the hard work and dedication that brought Simone to the top. Special features highlight...
Michael Phelps
Tieck, Sarah
Paper Book
After breaking records at the 2008 Olympics, Michael Phelps became one of the greatest swimmers in history. This book introduces readers to Phelps's childhood, family background, rise to fame, and future plans. Readers will learn about the star's struggle with ADHD, his intense training, and his...
Combat sports
Doeden, Matt.
Paper Book
Presents information about the rules and types of combat sports in the Olympics, including wrestling, boxing, tae kwon do, judo, and fencing.
Swimming and diving
Morey, Allan
Paper Book
Presents information about swimming and diving in the Olympics including different types of swimming strokes, different diving events, and synchronized swimming.
Games of deception : the true story of the first U.S. Olympic basketball team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany
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." --...
The boys in the boat : the true story of an American team's epic journey to win gold at the 1936 olympics
Brown, Daniel James
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times Bestseller Adapted for Young Readers Inspiration for the PBS American Experience Documentary The Boys of 36 For readers of Unbroken^ out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the...
On your mark, get set, gold! : an irreverent guide to the sports of the summer games
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...
How do you become an Olympian? : a book about the Olympics and Olympic athletes
Kelly, Madeleine
Paper Book
Have you ever wondered how athletes become Olympians? Canadian Olympic runner and author Madeleine Kelly explains the history of the Games, how athletes train for their event, and so much more! Each topic is explored through illustrations and informative and engaging text in this new addition to...
Chariots of fire
Hudson, Hugh.
DVD
Story of two English runners that were both driven by different means to win the Olympics. One used his faith in God, and the other his hatred of anti-Semitism. Special Edition features include: additional scenes, interviews, featurettes, and more.
The Olympic spirit : 100 years of the games
Wels, Susan.
Paper Book
A celebration of 100 years of the modern Olympic Games, which were revived in Athens in 1896. Includes 120 colour photographs, the greatest athletic performances, memorable opening and closing ceremonies, and collectables from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The history of the Olympic Games : faster, higher, stronger
Paper Book
The glorious history of the summer Olympic Games comes to life in this official, updated edition of a classic book.   The Summer Olympic Games, held every four years, is the biggest festival of sport on the planet, creating instant heroes and gallant losers...
Michael Phelps
Fishman, Jon M.
Paper Book
Michael Phelps had already competed in four Olympic Games and won more Olympic medals than any other athlete, but in 2016 he decided to compete one last time. At the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, superstar swimmer Phelps won six more medals, bringing him to a total of twenty...
Who is Michael Phelps?
Hecht, Micah
Paper Book
Find out how a mischievous boy became a phenomenal swimmer and the greatest Olympian of all time in this inspiring addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series! Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael Phelps began swimming at age seven at the...
Gymnastics events
Goldstein, Margaret J.
Paper Book
Gymnasts compete in many thrilling events that push their bodies to their limits. Each event takes specialized training and practice. From the balance beam to the high bar, readers will learn about the past and present events in professional gymnastics.
Right on track : run, race, believe
Richards-Ross, Sanya
Paper Book
Track and field champion Sanya Richards-Ross knows what it takes to achieve the impossible. With multiple Olympic gold medals and World Championship accolades, Sanya has long been a role model for young runners around the world. In her first-ever book for young adults, Sanya shares...
Traveling shoes : the story of Willye White, US Olympian and long jump champion
Duncan, Alice Faye
Paper Book
Untold until now, here is the story of Black sprinter and long-jumper Willye B. White, who went from picking cotton as a child in Mississippi to competing and winning in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics. Future Olympian Willye B. White was born in 1939 in Money, Mississippi--but money...
Zion unmatched
Clark, Zion
Paper Book
An extraordinary, deeply inspirational photo essay follows elite wheelchair racer, wrestler, America's Got Talent contestant, and Netflix documentary star Zion Clark. This stunning photographic essay showcases Zion Clark's ferocious athleticism and undaunted spirit....
Olympic pride, American prejudice : the untold story of 18 African Americans who defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics
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...
Proud: An American Story of Faith, Family and Olympic Glory
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Audiobook
Olympic medalist fencer, named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, Ibtihaj Muhammad tells a story of the tremendous obstacles, racism, and pressures she has overcome as the first Muslim American woman to compete in hijab in a sport dominated by privileged white athletes.This is a...
Wrestling
McNab, Chris
Paper Book
Introduces the sport of wrestling and provides information on how to prevent and treat the most common wrestling injuries.
Unbeatable Betty : the first female Olympic track & field gold medalist
Kimmel, Allison Crotzer
Paper Book
An inspiring picture book biography of the first woman to win a gold medal in track and field. Young readers intrigued by the Summer 2021 Olympics in Tokyo will be inspired by this story. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in...
Who is Katie Ledecky?
Buckley, James, Jr.
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...
Archery : steps to success
Haywood, Kathleen
Paper Book
Master the skills, techniques, and strategies in order to shoot accurately, consistently, and safely. Archery: Steps to Success is packed with progressive instruction and accompanying full-color photos. This one-of-a-kind resource contains exercises for each phase of the shot--stance...
Judo
Bylenga, Heather Rook
Paper Book
This book gives a quick overview of judo, from its historic origins to the ways people train and compete today. Short paragraphs of easy-to-read text and plenty of colorful photos make reading easy and exciting. The book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions...
Basketball
Morey, Allan
Paper Book
Presents information about basketball in the Olympics, including the history of basketball, how it became an Olympic sport, and well-known players, such as the United States' 1992 Dream Team
Triumph : the untold story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics
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...
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...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.