Sport books for children and teens

Sport books for children and teens

From first tries at ballet and football to national competition, sport gives young readers plenty to cheer for and plenty to discuss. These sport books for children and teens range across football, basketball, tennis, swimming, rugby, skateboarding, dance and volleyball, with picture-book stories, practical non-fiction, manga and teen fiction. They also open up conversations about confidence, teamwork, fairness, disability and belonging. This list features books by Joseph Coelho, Kwame Alexander, Sky Brown, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Oti Mabuse, Elizabeth Laird, Victoria Jamieson, Alex Wheatle, Manjeet Mann, and Neal Shusterman.

Sport books for children and teens – our recommendations

Sport story picture books for 3-7 year olds

Sammy Striker and the Football Cup by Catherine Emmett, illustrated by Joe Berger

Sammy loves football, and her dribbling catches coach Melissa McDream’s eye when she is playing in the park. She is invited to join the Under 8s National Team, but there is a problem: as the team prepares for the Football Cup, Sammy’s shots keep going wonky.

Luna Loves Sport by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers

At school sports day, Luna is sure that she is not good at sport. With her friend Abiola beside her, she gives football, basketball, swimming and the hurdles a try. Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers bring the events together in a bright story about taking part, discovering what feels enjoyable and sharing sport with friends.

The Boldest White by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Friday is Faizah’s favourite day: she prays with her family and then goes to fencing class. She is confident when she practises with her sister Asiya, but a tournament just before Eid makes her nervous about fencing in front of a crowd. When Faizah realises that her classmates are watching so they can learn from her, she finds a way to be brave by helping them. This picture book for 6-8 year olds brings fencing, family, faith and community together.

Karate Kids by Holly Sterling

Maya and her friends are excited about their Saturday karate class. At the dojo, they practise the moves and blocks they have been learning, with plenty of energy and a chance to show what they can do. Holly Sterling’s illustrations keep the children and their class at the heart of the story, bringing the physical action of karate to the page.

Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim and Freda Chiu

Lin looks forward to her first school sports day, only to face the disappointment of coming last. In this relatable picture book, award-winning author and Australian Survivor contestant Wai Chim explores themes of endurance and resilience. Last-Place Lin reassures children that finishing, even if it means coming last, should be a celebration of determination and achievement. Read our full review.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari has finished his swimming lessons and passed his test, but the diving board is a different matter. He says he is not scared, then takes time to stretch, look and think before making his jump. His patient dad stays nearby and encourages him without rushing him. Gaia Cornwall’s picture book turns a small swimming-pool challenge into a warm story about confidence, preparation and taking a deep breath before trying something new.

Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstaller

Cielo loves skating and the freedom of rolling along on her skateboard. When she reaches a huge ramp called The Whale, though, the challenge looks much bigger than she expected. Rachel Katstaller’s illustrations show Cielo working out how to approach it and building up the courage to give it a go. This picture book celebrates skateboarding, persistence and the excitement of learning a new skill.

Dance with Oti: The Bird Jive by Oti Mabuse, illustrated by Samara Hardy

Oti teaches a group of children the Bird Jive, a dance they can learn in ten steps. Fikile, Naira, Gan and Martin practise together as they get ready to perform, and an unexpected visitor arrives during their rehearsal. This lively picture-book dance story for 3+ year olds celebrates practice, performance and sharing movement.

Let’s Go by Julie Flett

When a boy faces the skatepark for the first time, will he be able to overcome his fears and anxieties and skate with other people? The perfect picture book for children who worry about trying something for the first time, this story oozes themes of resilience, community spirit and trusting yourself. Let’s Go’s atmospheric and emotive illustrations capture the spirit of skateboarding, and the sensitive storytelling is perfect for parents to share with 3-8 year olds. Onomatopoeia, rich imagery and thought-provoking statements make this the ideal book to use when discussing trepidation, anxiety and building confidence. Highly recommended.

Ballet Kids by Holly Sterling

Thomas and his friends are ready for ballet at Mr Elliot’s studio. They learn positions, pliés and curtsies, then choose costumes as they prepare to perform The Nutcracker. Holly Sterling’s illustrations capture the movement and excitement of a class working towards a show, while the ballet vocabulary gives young readers new steps and words to notice.

Planet Football by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Chris Mould

Jackson loves football, and one mighty kick sends his ball all the way to the Moon. The Moon-folk become football fans, and soon the game has taken hold across space. Jackson has a new problem: the footballs are leaving Earth, so he must find a way to bring the game home. This football fantasy for 3-7 year olds mixes an everyday kickabout with an out-of-this-world adventure.

Football Stories: Kerr by Simon Mugford, illustrated by Dan Green

This illustrated first-read story introduces footballer Sam Kerr and her journey into the game. Simple text and pictures show how her childhood love of football grew into a career as a well-known player. Part of the Football Stories books, it’s ideal for children who want to read about real sportspeople and their achievements.

Sport books for children aged 7-12

Noodle the Doodle Wins the Day by Jonathan Meres

It’s Wigley Primary School sports day and Noodle, the class pet, now has a sidekick – Daniel the Spaniel. Will the event survive them trying to join in? Ideal for children who love sports and pets, but are less enthusiastic about reading, this fast-paced and anarchic tale about what can go wrong at school is great to read aloud with small groups. Driven by dialogue, the story is both funny and relatable.

World of Sport by Lawrence Alexander and Violeta Noy

World of Sport by Lawrence Alexander, illustrated by Violeta Noy, explores more than 100 sports from around the globe, introducing their origins, rules and cultural significance. From the ancient Olympic Games to modern extreme sports, readers discover everything from gymnastics and athletics to unusual sporting traditions. Colourful illustrations and accessible facts explain how different sports developed and how they are played. Ideal for children aged 7-12, this engaging non-fiction book celebrates sporting diversity and offers plenty of opportunities to explore geography, history and the wider world. A useful addition to KS2 libraries.

100 Things to Know About Sport by Jerome Martin, Alice James, Tom Mumbray and Micaela Tapsell

100 Things to Know About Sport is a comprehensive exploration of sports facts for 8+ year-olds. With 100 bite-sized topics and vibrant illustrations, this substantial book explores diverse facts from equipment and historical milestones to impressive world records. Ideal for sharing, this book offers sporting diversity, highlighting adaptive sports for individuals with disabilities, and it promotes awareness of physical fitness benefits. Highly recommended for KS2 libraries. Read our full review.

Strong Girls by Jodie Ounsley

Aimed at 8-11 year olds, Strong Girls by Jodie Ounsley, with Becky Grey, is a practical guide to building strength in sport, mindset and everyday life while supporting others. Ounsley draws on her experiences as Gladiator Fury and an England rugby player, and includes personal reflections on deaf identity. It mixes short life stories with high-interest profiles of people she admires, plus bite-sized steps for handling setbacks and helping others through challenges. A useful read for KS2 students.

Coach by Jason Reynolds

This engaging and accessible return to the RUN series traces the childhood of Otis “Otie” Brody, long before he became the Defenders’ coach. Set in the late 1980s, this vivid chapter novel for 8+ year olds follows Otis’s passion for sprinting, his admiration of Carl Lewis, and the shadow cast by his father’s addiction. When both his prized Jordans and his dad disappear, Otie is forced to confront painful truths about family and self. Sport, loss, and resilience run through every stride of his early story. Highly recommended for KS2 readers and less confident readers in KS3.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Twins Josh and Jordan Bell live and breathe basketball, but their relationship is tested as they grow and begin to want different things. Their father, a former basketball champion, is part of the family’s sporting world, while Josh’s voice brings the story’s court action and emotions close to the reader. Kwame Alexander tells the novel in verse, using rhythm, basketball language and short, energetic passages to shape the boys’ story. It brings family, ambition and sibling rivalry together on and off the court.

Animal All Stars by Clare Balding

Join commentator Clare Balding for a laugh-out-loud comic-strip style journey through the animal kingdom’s most entertaining sports day. From the Australian tiger beetle to the peregrine falcon, animals go head-to-head in this rip-roaring guide filled with incredible facts and laugh-out-loud commentary. Perfect for animal-loving children in KS2, it combines jokes with fascinating factual nuggets about the world’s most extraordinary creatures.

The Life-Changing Magic of Skateboarding by Sky Brown, illustrated by Shaw Davidson

Skateboarder Sky Brown introduces the sport through a beginner’s guide shaped by her own experience. The book explains equipment and basic skills, then uses step-by-step instructions to help readers practise tricks and build their confidence on a board. Shaw Davidson’s illustrations support the guidance and make the movements easier to picture. This skateboarding guide for 6+ year olds combines practical advice with encouragement to learn at a steady pace and enjoy developing a new skill.

Front Foot by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Robin Boyden

Newly arrived in Britain, Azeem carries his father’s dream of seeing him play cricket while worrying about his mother and sister, who remain in a refugee camp in Pakistan. On an estate where football dominates, he teaches new friends the game and invites intimidating older boys to form a team. For readers aged 9+, with a reading age of 7, this punchy story explores displacement, family pressure, friendship and the challenge of concentrating despite being far from home.

Fantastically Great Women Sports Stars and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst

Kate Pankhurst introduces eight women whose achievements span different sports and generations. The book includes stories about Cynisca, Lottie Dod, Alice Milliat, Junko Tabei, Derartu Tulu, Marta, Ellie Simmonds and Simone Biles. Diary entries, postcards and maps add different ways into the biographies, while the illustrations bring each athlete’s story to life. It gives children examples of women competing and leading in sport, and invites them to look more closely at the people and events behind sporting history.

Drive to Victory by Karun Chandhok

Karun Chandhok takes readers into the world of Formula One, introducing its teams, drivers, tracks, cars and events. The book brings together facts, statistics and stories, while answering questions about speed, racing and what it takes to become a driver. It connects the excitement of a race with the people and technology behind it.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Astrid signs up for roller derby camp and discovers how much practice the sport takes. As she learns to skate and finds her place on the team, her friendship with Nicole shifts and new friendships begin to matter. Victoria Jamieson’s graphic novel uses energetic panels to show the speed and physicality of roller derby, alongside the everyday changes that come with growing up.

The Fastest Boy in the World by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Peter Bailey and Zeamanuel Abera

Solomon dreams of becoming a great runner. When he travels to Addis Ababa with his grandfather, an emergency leaves him facing a long run for help. The story moves between Solomon’s love of athletics and the landscapes and daily life of Ethiopia, bringing urgency to his journey.

Finding Her Feet by Eve Ainsworth, illustrated by Luna Valentine

Lily wants to play football, and joining a girls’ team gives her a chance to pursue that ambition with others. The story brings football, friendship and teamwork together, with facts about the history of women’s football woven into the book. Its dyslexia-friendly design uses a clear font and yellow paper.

Football School Season 1: Where Football Explains the World by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton, illustrated by Spike Gerrell

Football is the starting point for this illustrated collection of exciting real stories, facts and questions. Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton connect the game to history, geography, biology and maths, while Spike Gerrell’s cartoons keep every page lively and engaging. Ideal for KS2 classrooms.

Sport books for teens

The Rebound by Fiona Harris

Fourteen-year-old Harry Portelli dreams of basketball success, but missing trials for his school’s top team leaves him playing alongside the struggling Redbacks. His new teammates cannot seem to pass, shoot or work together, and Harry struggles to accept his disappointing circumstances. As unexpected friendships develop, however, he begins reconsidering what makes a successful player. When the Redbacks face the school’s first team in a crucial match, everything Harry has learned is tested. This engaging sporting novel for 9+ year olds explores grief, resilience, friendship and the difference between individual ambition and genuine teamwork.

Game, Set, Matched by Ivy Bailey

Billie and her twin brother Tom are working towards their dream of playing junior doubles tennis. When Tom collapses, Billie has to adjust to a new partnership with Harley, a player she would rather avoid. Their developing partnership brings tension and change to the tennis story, while the court gives Billie a place to test her own resolve. This YA tennis romance focuses on ambition, teamwork and what happens when plans suddenly change.

The Fast Track by Angelica Cheng

Seventeen-year-old Justine Kwong is determined to become the first woman to win the Formula 1 championship, but securing a coveted place in Formula 3 leaves her battling prejudice, publicity and suspicions that she is merely a diversity hire. Her talented teammate Cameron is also her fiercest rival for the F2 seat that could transform her career, making their growing attraction especially complicated. This high-octane competition fueled contemporary sports romance for 13+ year olds brings together the intense pressure of elite motor racing, rivals-to-lovers chemistry and a heroine fighting to be recognised for her ability. It’s pedal to the metal all the way!

Matched Up by Jenny Ireland

Lexie and footballer Shane find themselves drawn to each other, but their relationship becomes complicated by football and family loyalties. Shane is offered a place that Lexie’s brother Niall wanted, leaving Lexie caught between her feelings and the people closest to her. Jenny Ireland combines a contemporary romance with the pressures surrounding young players and the opportunities that can change a family’s hopes.

The Girl with the Red Boots by Alex Wheatle

After her brother’s death, Kadeen is trying to find her footing in London. Football gives her a place to focus, and she joins a girls’ team while practising in secret. The story follows her efforts to build confidence and feel safe, bringing grief, friendship and the game together. This powerful football novel for 12+ year olds offers a moving portrait of a young player finding her own way forward.

Haikyu!! (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 by Haruichi Furudate

Hinata is determined to become a formidable volleyball player, despite being shorter than many of his opponents. At high school he finds himself on the same team as Kageyama, the talented setter who was once his rival. Their different approaches have to work together on court as they learn to play as a team. Haruichi Furudate’s manga brings the movement, strategy and intensity of volleyball into a fast-paced school story about skill, rivalry and cooperation.

Eyeshield 21, Vol. 1 by Riichiro Inagaki, illustrated by Yusuke Murata

Sena Kobayakawa has spent years being pushed around, but his speed makes him stand out when he joins a high-school American football team. With a helmet and the name Eyeshield 21, he becomes an unexpected player in a sport he is only just learning. Riichiro Inagaki’s story and Yusuke Murata’s artwork bring the pace and strategy of American football to the page, as Sena discovers what he can do when he has a team behind him.

Real, Vol. 1 by Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue’s manga interweaves the lives of young men whose paths connect through basketball. One of its central sporting worlds is wheelchair basketball, shown through demanding training and the ambitions of its players. The book considers disability, physical change, belonging and the pull of competition as the characters find ways to move forward. Its realistic artwork gives the basketball sequences physical force, while the different viewpoints create a layered story about sport and the people whose lives it touches.

The Colours That Blind by Rutendo Tavengerwei

Tumirai, known as Tumi, is a teenager living with albinism in Zimbabwe who dreams of joining the national swimming team. In the pool, he finds relief from the prejudice and exclusion he experiences elsewhere. But when he is sent to stay with his grandmother, Ambuya, painful memories return. As she reveals her experiences of racial conflict and violence in Rhodesia, Tumi begins to understand the complicated history of his family and country. This thought-provoking YA novel blends swimming, identity, intergenerational trauma and forgiveness into a powerful story about confronting the past.

Sports: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Gail Fay

Gail Fay’s guide covers the experience of being a high-school athlete, from choosing a sport and balancing study with training to competition pressure, injuries and playing at college. Each chapter includes quotations from current and former student athletes, alongside facts, short biographies and stories from sport. The book also covers sports-related careers and training.

Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann

Amber finds a way to imagine a different future through running. Told in verse, her story brings the freedom she feels on the track into contrast with the pressures and expectations at home. As she discovers what her body can do, Amber begins to trust her own voice and consider what she wants for herself. Manjeet Mann combines sport, family and self-determination in a memorable contemporary YA novel.

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman

Ash is a high-school American football star whose life begins to shift after a tackle sends him into a series of near-parallel realities. Each new version of his world changes what he understands about himself, his choices and the privileges surrounding him. Football remains the event that sets the story in motion, while the novel uses Ash’s changing circumstances to examine identity and reality. This speculative YA novel for 14+ year olds combines sport with a fast-moving and thought-provoking analysis of how one moment can reshape a life. Highly recommended.

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Sport resources for teachers

• The School Games website offers hundreds of physical activity resources for Key Stages 1 to 4. Teachers can filter activities by age group, duration and equipment requirements, with ideas covering gymnastics, ball games, inclusive sports, playground activities and team challenges.
• Oak National Academy provides free primary PE lesson plans and teaching materials covering athletics, ball skills, dance, gymnastics, outdoor activities and healthy living. Its secondary PE resources include invasion games, fitness, athletics, sports tactics and leadership, alongside GCSE PE materials.
• The Youth Sport Trust’s Inclusive Sport Programme provides free activity cards, demonstration videos and practical challenges inspired by the Paralympics, Commonwealth Games and Special Olympics. The resources help schools deliver sporting activities involving pupils with and without special educational needs and disabilities.
• Activity Alliance has developed 25 inclusive PE games and activities covering warm-ups, fundamental movement skills, invasion games, striking and fielding, and net and wall games. Each downloadable activity card explains how to adapt tasks, equipment and playing spaces to accommodate different abilities.
• Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s Get Set programme offers free Olympic and Paralympic-themed teaching resources. Activities explore sporting values, teamwork, determination, equality, healthy lifestyles and the achievements of athletes, with opportunities for learning in the classroom and through physical activity.
• Premier League Primary Stars provides hundreds of free curriculum-linked resources for children aged 5 to 11. Football-themed lesson plans, worksheets, assemblies and videos cover PE, English, mathematics and PSHE, including teamwork, resilience, mental wellbeing, equality and respect.
• The Lawn Tennis Association’s Youth Schools programme features free tennis lesson plans, activity videos and teacher training for primary and secondary schools. Resources include fundamental movement skills, modified games, GCSE PE assessment drills, STEM activities, mental wellbeing and opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills.
• Chance to Shine offers free cricket teaching resources for primary and secondary schools, including lesson plans, coaching videos, skill demonstrations and advice from professional cricketers. Activities develop batting, bowling, throwing and catching alongside communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• England Athletics provides teaching support for running, jumping and throwing. Its school athletics resources include lesson planning guidance, progressive activities, sports day ideas and app-based teaching materials for primary and secondary PE, with free access to selected resources following registration.
• Swim England’s Curriculum Swimming and Water Safety Resource Pack supports primary schools in planning swimming lessons, teaching safe self-rescue and assessing pupils against national curriculum requirements. Guidance covers inclusion, lesson delivery, water safety and recording swimming attainment.
• The Royal Life Saving Society UK provides free water safety education resources for schools, including lesson plans, presentations, worksheets and activities. Materials explore recognising hazards, making safe decisions and responding to emergencies, with resources for different age groups and Welsh-language materials.
• The Daily Mile helps primary schools incorporate regular outdoor movement into the school day. Its free resource hub includes activity ideas, assemblies and themed challenges designed to encourage children to run, walk or wheel together, supporting fitness, wellbeing and participation without competitive pressure.
• The National Literacy Trust’s sport and literacy resources use football and other sports to encourage reading, writing and discussion. Materials include sporting role models, reading activities and advice for schools using pupils’ enthusiasm for sport to promote literacy, particularly among less confident readers.
• NRICH at the University of Cambridge offers sport-themed mathematics investigations for primary and secondary pupils. Activities explore probability, Olympic results, scoring systems, statistics, stadium design, measurement and problem-solving, with challenges ranging from Key Stage 1 to sixth form.
• UK Anti-Doping provides free primary and secondary teaching resources exploring fair play, sporting ethics, healthy decision-making and the dangers of doping. Its Spirit of Sport and Think Real programmes include assemblies, lesson plans, video case studies and activities suitable for PSHE, GCSE PE and older pupils.
• The Youth Sport Trust’s Training and Resources Hub provides teachers and school leaders with practical resources, training and programmes to support physical activity, PE, inclusion and pupil wellbeing. Resources include physical activity challenges, active learning guidance, mental health support and inclusive sport activities. The hub can be filtered by age group, school setting, topic and resource type.
• Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey provides data about children’s participation in sport, physical activity, swimming and volunteering, alongside attitudes towards exercise and wellbeing. Teachers can use the findings for statistics investigations, discussions about participation and evaluating opportunities for physical activity.
• The Department for Education’s physical education programmes of study set out the statutory PE requirements for Key Stages 1 to 4 in England. The accompanying school sport guidance includes examples of good practice for improving participation, providing inclusive opportunities and developing physical education across the school.
• Education Scotland publishes physical education benchmarks for early to fourth level, helping teachers plan progression and assess pupils’ developing skills. Its core PE guidance also explores effective learning, teaching and assessment within Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
• For schools in Wales, Hwb’s Health and Well-being curriculum guidance explores physical activity, sporting participation and lifelong health. Hwb also hosts WJEC GCSE Physical Education and Health resources, including bilingual learning units and knowledge organisers.
• The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland provides Key Stage 3 physical education guidance covering curriculum requirements, active learning, assessment, planning and links between sport, healthy lifestyles and wider personal development.

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