Children's Book Suggestions | Sports

A few of our favorite sports books for readers in Grades 3-7! More choices are available in the library catalog.

You can also search for books about your favorite sport. Some of the most popular are baseball, basketball, football, running, soccer, and swimming.

Nonfiction books about sports are shelved in 796 and biographies of famous athletes are shelved in 921 under the athlete's last name.

Updated August 16, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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Flipping forward twisting backward
Fullerton, Alma
Paper Book
A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse. The print edition of this title is set in a font developed to be easy to read. The gym is where Claire shines and...

Gymnastics (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The tryout
Soontornvat, Christina
Paper Book
STAND TALL. BE LOUD. GAME FACE ON. This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends. "A captivating...

Cheerleading (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Marshmallow & Jordan
Chau, Alina
Paper Book
Alina Chau's Marshmallow & Jordan is a middle-grade graphic novel about a disabled, sports-loving Jordan, and the magical elephant named Marshmallow who she befriends. Jordan's days as star player for her school's basketball team ended when an accident left her...

Water Polo (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Kenzie kickstarts a team
Rosewater, Kit
Paper Book
A highly illustrated middle-grade series that celebrates new friendships, first crushes, and getting out of your comfort zone Ever since they can remember, fifth-graders Kenzie (aka Kenzilla) and Shelly (aka Bomb Shell) have dreamed of becoming roller derby superstars. When Austin's city league...

Roller Derby (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

One last shot
Anderson, John David
Paper Book
The beloved author of Ms. Bixby's Last Day and Posted returns with a humorous and heartwarming story of family, friendship, and miniature golf. For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each...

Miniature Golf (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

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...

Running (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Slugfest
Korman, Gordon
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables comes a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school--for failing PE. Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School. So good, in fact, that he's already been...

Sports (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Hands
Maldonado, Torrey
Paper Book
"Gorgeous and gripping, Hands is a poetic page-turner. You might just finish it in one sitting. Torrey Maldonado understands the kids he writes for at the deepest level." -Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Inquisitor's Tale The author of What Lane?<...

Boxing (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Get a grip, Vivy Cohen!
Kapit, Sarah
Paper Book
In this perfectly pitched novel-in-letters, autistic eleven-year-old Vivy Cohen won't let anything stop her from playing baseball--not when she has a major-league star as her pen pal. Vivy Cohen is determined. She's had enough of playing catch in the park. She's ready to pitch...

Baseball (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Ana on the edge
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Melissa and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, this heartfelt coming of age story introduces a nonbinary athlete navigating a binary world. Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating...

Figure Skating (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The crossover. [graphic novel]
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Series streaming now on Disney+, with executive producers including NBA great LeBron James! Kwame Alexander's New York Times bestseller and Newbery Medal-winning The Crossover is vividly brought to life as a graphic novel with stunning illustrations by star talent Dawud Anyabwile. ...

Basketball (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Swim team. [graphic novel]
Christmas, Johnnie
Paper Book
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for...

Swimming (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Roller girl. [graphic novel]
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with...

Roller Derby (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

The breakaways
Johnson, Cathy G.
Paper Book
Quiet, sensitive Faith starts middle school already worrying about how she will fit in. To her surprise, Amanda, a popular eighth grader, convinces her to join the school soccer team, the Bloodhounds. Having never played soccer in her life, Faith ends up on the C team, a ragtag group that's way...

Soccer (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Aniana del Mar jumps in
Méndez, Jasminne
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis by an award-winning poet. Aniana del Mar belongs in the water like...

Swimming (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Barely floating
Rivera, Lilliam
Paper Book
A dazzling story full of heart about how one twelve-year-old channels her rage into synchronized swimming dreams, from the author of The Education of Margot Sanchez and Never Look Back, Lilliam Rivera. Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was...

Artistic Swimming (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Chunky
Mercado, Yehudi
Paper Book
In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican...

Sports (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)


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