Sports Stories for Children

Posted on July 22, 2019

by Erin P

Stronger, faster, higher!

True stories of athletes to inspire and motivate you.

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football team by Steve Sheinkin

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin

A great American sport and Native American history come together in this true story of how Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner created the legendary Carlisle Indians football team.

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball by David A. Kelly

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball by David A. Kelly

Profiles the life of the baseball player who discovered that mud worked better than dirty water for breaking in baseballs.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

Using an “Everyman” player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Illustrations from oil paintings by artist Kadir Nelson.

Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler

Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler

Shares twenty true tales from the childhoods of famous athletes, including Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King.

Life in Motion - Misty Copeland (Young Readers edition)

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina (Young Readers edition) by Misty Copeland with Brandy Colbert

An autobiography by the first African-American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history.

Hockey: Then to Wow! by Sam Page (Sports Illustrated Kids)

Hockey: Then to Wow! by Sam Page

Combines action photography and fun illustrations with engaging text in a Sports Illustrated centennial history of the NHL that explains how hockey gear, athletes, strategies and fans have changed since the first puck was dropped in 1917.

Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul

Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul

Although he is shorter than most of his classmates and everyone discourages him from trying out for the basketball team, eight-year-old Chris Paul, future NBA All-Star, just works harder than everyone else so his size will not matter.

Rising Above: Inspiring Women in Sports by Gregory Zuckerman with Gabriel and Elijah Zuckerman

Rising Above: Inspiring Women in Sports by Gregory Zuckerman with Gabriel and Elijah Zuckerman

These are the inspirational real-life stories of female superstar athletes Serena and Venus Williams, Simone Biles, Carli Lloyd, and more — role models all. For sports fans, aspiring athletes and readers of sports biographies.

I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez

I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez

Gymnastics icon and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez shares the true story of her path to Olympic gold and where her phenomenal talents will take her next.

Champions of Women’s Soccer by Ann Killion

Champions of Women’s Soccer by Ann Killion

An ultimate guide to women’s soccer from the World Cup to the Olympics includes profiles of leading athletes including Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd and Abby Wambach, tracing the progression of soccer’s popularity in America while offering engaging Top-Ten Lists and striking photographs of history-making moments.

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