These sports-themed middle grade books that will help pass the time when the weather is not conducive to getting out there on the field. You'll find a wide variety of sports represented on this book list. Besides the big three—basketball, baseball and football—you will find sports novels featuring young athletes who ice skate, play tennis, run track, and more.
Note: there are MANY more sports themed books for kids; these are just the one's I've read and can recommend. For more, head to your library catalog's subject search and enter in "[sport name] -- juvenile fiction"!
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Table of contents
Baseball
Soar by Joan Bauer
I loved this book! Jeremiah has a weak heart which keeps him on the sidelines. His adopted father moves a lot, and when they move to a new town with a demoralized baseball team embroiled in scandal, Jeremiah becomes the motivating coach they need to lift them up. Wonderful writing makes this a book not just for baseball fans. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Baseball Picture Books
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Maggie is a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan (off to a good start!) thanks to her fireman friend, Jim, who teaches her all about keeping track of the scores. When Jim gets drafted and sent off to Korea, he and Maggie correspond until he suddenly stops writing back. When he returns from Korea, Maggie is determined to help him heal. I liked how Maggie was persistent in her desire to help her friend, and made such an effort to learn about Korea. Her maps and notes are included in the story, which takes place over several years. This book is quite special. Ages 9 and up.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mike Cochrane
Molly decides to join the boys baseball team at school. Grieving after her father's death and not getting the comfort she needs from her mother, Molly hopes that baseball will keep alive her memories of her dad, who taught her how to play. A lovely book, not just about the game but about keeping up relationships with the people we love. Ages 10 and up.
The Way Home Looks Now by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
After a family tragedy, Chinese-American Peter Lee tries out for a Little League team and his father ends up being the coach. Set in the early 1970s, Shang tells the story against the backdrop of the Vietnam war, the women's liberation movement and other social upheavals. A sensitive story about a family learning to heal. Ages 9 and up.
A Long Pitch Home by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
Bilal and his family move from Pakistan to Virginia. His father, however, stays in Pakistan. Back in Pakistan, Bilal was an excellent cricket player; in Virginia he joins a summer baseball team, but of course he must figure out the differences and adjust to the new game. This is a wonderful story about adjusting to a new culture. Ages 9 and up.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
This is a really wonderful story about a 10-year-old who moves with her family from China to Brooklyn. In her attempt to understand American culture and be accepted, she focuses on baseball as an entry point, making new friends along the way. Ages 9 and up.
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John Ritter
This is another book my son loved. Dillontown is in danger of losing its field to development and things aren't looking good. But then, the mysterious Cruz de la Cruz arrives (on horseback!) and claims he has the secret to hitting. Will he bring hope back to Dillontown? Ritter has a number of sports novels for kids, so check your library shelves! Ages 10 and up.
Baseball Card Adventures Series by Dan Gutman
My son has read all of the books in this series and loved them. There are 12 books in the series to date. Young Joe Stoshack travels through time every time he touches a baseball card. Adventures ensue as Joe meets the ball players, learn about their lives and (sometimes) tries to change history. A great series for kids to learn about sports and history. In Jackie and Me, Joe also learns about the experiences realities of racism. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Early Chapter Books for Kids about Sports, ages 6-10
Boxing
Becoming Mohammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson
This biography of Ali is written in verse, making it extremely accessible to all readers, even reluctant ones. I didn't actually know much about Ali's life and found this novelized biography fascinating. Alexander's verse captures Ali's dynamic personality and perseverance. It's an inspiration story for all of us. Ages 8 and up.
Track and Field
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Ghost is the first book in a series of sports-themed novels by an excellent middle-grade author. Castle Crenshaw, nicknamed "Ghost" because of his talent for running away, is drawn into the local track team. Ghost, who lives with his hard-working single mother, isn't sure he fits in with the team. He's not the only one on the team that struggles, however, but with the help of supportive adults, the kids find their way. I enjoyed this book and appreciated the way Reynolds created complex individuals who struggle with difficult choices, even when they make the wrong decisions. Ages 9 and up.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
In this Newberry award-winner, Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee, an orphan, whose antics and extreme athleticism challenges his racially-divided community. Excellent storytelling by Spinelli make this a must-read book for any middle-grade reader. Ages 8 and up.
Fencing
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
After an injury, Valentine must reassess her commitment to competitive fencing. To complicate matters, her new friend and rival seems to be excel and everything. No matter what interests they pursue, readers will understand the struggles of Vale's dilemmas in Arango's verse novel. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Sports-Themed Graphic Novels for Kids
Basketball
Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Alexander’s wonderful verse novel about twin brothers is touching, relatable and extraordinarily engaging. Josh narrates his story of coming to terms with his brother’s new girlfriend, sibling rivalry, the pressure and joy of playing ball and his relationship with his father. Ages 10 and up.
Clutch Time by Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynolds
14-year-old Kofi Douglass juggles his basketball commitments, friendships and family in this thoughtful coming of age story. Lots of basketball lingo will impress your young fans! Ages 10 and up.
We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui
In this graphic novel, based on a true story, an all-Muslim, hijab-wearing girls basketball team resists others' attempts to frame their experiences in an identity-based narrative. Aliya and her teammates learn lessons about what it means to try their best, and how to balance family life with sports. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women in Sports
Soccer
Braced by Alyson Gerber
Braced is based on Gerber's own experience growing up with scoliosis. Seventh grader, Rachel, is an enthusiastic soccer player but this year her doctor tells her she must wear a corrective brace for her scoliosis for 23 hours a day. Understandably, she is devastated by this. Rachel's journey to acceptance of her condition is touching and relatable as she works through relationships with her classmates and mother. An excellent read. Ages 9 and up.
Booked by Kwame Alexander
Perhaps your sports fan is a reluctant reader. Free verse, like that in Booked, is actually great for reluctant readers. It flows rapidly and the pages are much less dense (and therefore less intimidating). Long winded description is replaced by to-the-point emotional experiences and action. Kwame Alexander's book about 12-year-old Nicky is marvelous. Nicky is navigating the usual middle school drama; he is looking forward to a soccer tournament, trying to figure out how to talk to a girl, and dealing with his parents' separation. During his journey he learns to love books, and discovers that maybe his father's love of words isn't so bad after all. Ages 10 and up.
Ten: A Soccer Story by Shamini Flint
Maya lives in Malaysia and loves soccer, but her community thinks girls shouldn't play. Maya, however, refuses to let that stop her and her friends from forming a team. Ages 9 and up.
Swimming
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
In this graphic novel, Enith Brigitha is not looking forward to having to take swimming lessons in middle school. Enith's elderly neighbor, Etta, used to be a swimming team captain and takes on the task of coaching Enith. Despite her insecurity about swimming, Enith improves with hard work and competes with her team, the Mighty Manatees. Ages 8 and up.
Up For Air by Laurie Morrison
13-year-old Annabelle loves swimming more than anything, but her mother insists she keep up with her school work in order to be allowed to spend so much time with her swim team. Annabelle struggles with her academics and starts to ditch her tutor in order to prove that she belongs on the more advanced team. During a period of changing friendships, difficult school work and her concern she is disappointing her parents, Annabelle makes a few bad decisions, but ultimately realizes she needs to make better choices. Ages 9 and up.
More: Graphic Novels about Sports
Roller Skating
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Graphic novels are a great choice for middle grade readers. Both my boys thought Roller Girl was "awesome." For once, Astrid decides to try something different than her best friend. Instead of dance camp, she signs up for roller camp. Roller camp proves to be challenging, physically and emotionally and it is by participating in roller derby that Astrid discovers her inner strength. Ages 9 and up.
Softball
Step Up to the Plate Maria Singh by Uma Krishnaswami
It's 1945 and Maria, a biracial girl in California (her father is from India, her mother is from Mexico) wants to play softball on a team organized by her teacher. At the same time, her multicultural community is feeling the strains of institutionalize discrimination. I don't know of any other children's book that addresses the experience of Indian-Americans during this time period. Fascinating and enlightening, but also a great story of a determined girl.
Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
Shenice is the captain of her softball team and normally she is totally focused on the game. However, her great-uncle recently revealed that what she thought happened to her great-grandfather's baseball career may not be true. Shenice becomes consumed with finding out the truth so she can resurrect her ancestor's reputation. Readers will learn about the historical Negro Baseball League and what it was like to play ball in segregated America. Ages 9 and up.
Lacrosse
Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac
This is a historical novel narrated in alternating viewpoints between Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister Otsi:stia. The siblings are Mohawks living in the 15th century in what is now known as upstate New York. Ohkwa'ri tells the elders he heard another boy planning activity that would break a peace accord with a neighboring tribe. His resentful new enemy plans to get his revenge during a game of what we now call lacrosse. Ages 7 and up.
Tennis
Tennis Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Find it: Amazon
It's fun to bea able to put a classic book on the list. It's been many years since I read this particular book, but I ate up the entire "Shoes" series when I was a kid. For ice skating fans, Skating Shoes is another one not to be missed. Ages 8 and up.
Football
Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Seventh grader and Syrian-American, Kareem, messed up his football tryouts. He has the opportunity for a do-over, but it comes at a cost. Meanwhile, he is tapped a new kid around school because he's a Syrian refugee, and Kareem's mother is stranded in Syria. Safadi's verse novel deftly translates Kareem's feelings of being caught between different groups of people and his journey to finding a voice to speak up for what is right. Ages 8 and up.
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian Football Team by Steve Sheinkin
This is a nonfiction book about one of America's great athletes. It is sometimes listed as being aimed at a YA audience, but my 12-year-old read it and proclaimed it "excellent." I think it's good for sports kids to read not just about their hero's accomplishments but about their real life struggles as well. Ages 11 and up.
Ice Skating
The Comeback by E.L. Shin
Maxine dreams of going to the Olympics, but her immediate goal is getting through Regionals. She's also navigating the trials and tribulations of sixth grade while also getting in practice time on the rink. As the only Chinese American in her class, she endures microaggressions from classmates and begins to doubt herself. Kids will love this fantastic story about a likable character and the thrill of competition.
Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner
Find it: Amazon
Seventh grader Clare's talent for skating is spotted at a local show and she quickly becomes enmeshed in the world of skating, with its pressures and rivalries. This realistic story of a girl who discovers her strengths and navigates relationships while pursuing her dreams is a good independent read for ages 8 and up.
Dog Sledding
Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson
14-year-old McKenna is running an 8 dog team sled race. Trouble is, she is battling an eye disease that has also affected her younger sister. McKenna hasn’t told anyone about her worsening eye condition despite the dangers of the race. This is a very suspenseful winter-y novel, perfect for kids who like survival stories! Ages 10 and up.
Ice Hockey
Million Dollar Goal (series) by Dan Gutman
Find it: Amazon
I brought this series home, and my son gobbled them up. The series includes books about a huge variety of sports, including bowling, basketball, golf and more.
Multiple Sports
Guys Read: The Sports Pages, edited by Jon Scieszka
This is a fun collection of 10 sports themed short stories by stellar children's authors. Guys Read is a series aimed at encouraging boys to read, but girls will love the books, too. Authors include Anne Ursu, Jacqueline Woodson, Joseph Joseph Bruchac and Dan Gutman. A variety of sports are represented. I highly recommend the whole Guys Read series.
Gina says
I always recommend the Matt Christopher sports series (all sports) to boys who want to get into reading. They're small chapter books and very appealing.
Erica says
I do think the Matt Christopher books are good for kids to read, I left them off the list just to make room for lesser known books. I hope I didn't give the impression that they are to be avoided! 🙂
Jeanette says
I would also recommend Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. Great book about diversity and basketball!
Erica says
Thanks for the recommendation!
Max Elliot Anderson says
A Sam Cooper Middle Grade Adventure (6 book series)