Books About Olympics

The Best Olympics Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about olympics? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Olympics

Sakamoto's Swim Club
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2021

Sakamoto's Swim Club

By Julie Abery, Chris Sasaki (Illustrator)

A teacher transforms plantation kids into Olympic swimmers using innovative techniques.

40 pages· 165 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
6.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 494 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1930s Maui, science teacher Soichi Sakamoto turns irrigation ditches into training grounds, coaching plantation children to Olympic glory. Can his unique methods and their determination defy the odds?
Dream Big
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012

Dream Big

By Deloris Jordan, Barry Root (Illustrator)

A young dreamer aims for Olympic gold with perseverance.

32 pages· 896 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 236 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Before becoming a basketball legend, young Michael Jordan dreamed of Olympic gold. This heartwarming tale, penned by his mother, reveals his childhood journey of dedication and values. Will his dreams soar?
Gold Medal Murder
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Gold Medal Murder

Someone is sabotaging a star swimmer at the Summer Games, and teen sleuths dive in.

176 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 550 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: When a world-famous Olympic swimmer is sabotaged during the Summer Games, Nancy Drew, her friends and Frank and Joe Hardy decide to investigate. Together they must find out who wants the swimming superstar to sink before the scandal pulls them all under.
Florence Griffith Joyner
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021

Florence Griffith Joyner

Discover how the fastest woman overcame challenges to make history.

80 pages· 5,156 words· Est. 58 min read
5.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 160 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Florence Griffith Joyner, known as Flo Jo, shattered records to become the fastest woman ever. But her journey was fraught with obstacles. Dive into her inspiring story of perseverance and triumph, and learn how she defied the odds to achieve Olympic glory. This engaging biography invites young readers to explore Flo Jo's incredible legacy and find inspiration in her relentless pursuit of dreams. What challenges did she face, and how did she overcome them? Uncover the answers and be inspired to make a difference in your own life.
Dominique Moceanu
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · 1996

Dominique Moceanu

A teenage gymnast tells her own story of the long road to the Olympic team.

128 pages
3.7 Goodreads · 262 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Gymnast Dominique Moceanu tells her own story, as told to Steve Woodward, of the training and competitions that took her onto the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team as a teenager. The book includes an introduction by her coach, Bela Karolyi.
A Greek Adventure
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

A Greek Adventure

Time travelers land in an ancient city and need help uncovering its secrets.

88 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 26 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: The Histronauts travel back to ancient Greece, where they visit the Acropolis, watch the contests that inspired the Olympic Games and make masks for a play at the amphitheater. The comic-strip adventure is mixed with facts and hands-on activities.
Chloe Kim: Gold-Medal Snowboarder
Sale price
$2975
Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2020

Chloe Kim: Gold-Medal Snowboarder

How a teenage snowboarder rose to become an Olympic champion.

32 pages· 1,696 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
3.3 Goodreads · 3 ratings
$31.32Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: At 17, Chloe Kim became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal, and the first snowboarder to win halfpipe gold at the Olympics, the World Championships and the X Games. This biography follows her hard work and determination from her first runs to the top of her sport.
Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2026

Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to Be Free

A boy who moves to a new country finds that running speaks every language.

96 pages
3.8 Goodreads · 12 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: At eight, Mo Farah moved from Somaliland to London speaking very little English. Starting over was hard, but running was a language everyone understood. Once he started, he never stopped, smashing records and winning championships on his way to four Olympic gold medals and six world titles. This illustrated chapter-book biography tells the true story of one of the most successful distance runners ever.
Bounce Back
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 9–12 · 1996

Bounce Back

An Olympic basketball star shares how she rebounded from setbacks on and off the court.

40 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 5 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Basketball star and Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes introduces herself to young readers and the theme that shaped her life: bouncing back from adversity. Drawing on her own journey through the game, she shows how setbacks can become chances to grow.
Legends of Women's Gymnastics
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

Legends of Women's Gymnastics

From Cold War pioneers to today's superstars, meet the women who reshaped gymnastics.

64 pages
4.5 Goodreads · 8 ratings
$15.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twenty-eight gymnastics champions get a profile each, from Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci, whose daring routines changed the sport, to Shannon Miller and the 1996 Magnificent Seven, to Simone Biles and Suni Lee today. Color photographs capture each athlete in action.
Browse by age

Olympics Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about olympics for developing and independent readers.

Sale price
$599

Who Is Ilona Maher?

Ages 8–12 · 2026

A girl from Vermont discovers rugby late and becomes an Olympic star.

Sale price
$699

Who Is Shaun White?

Ages 8–12 · 2024

Discover the thrilling journey of a snowboarding legend from childhood to Olympic glory.

Sale price
$599

Gymnastics

Ages 6–8 · 2021

Discover the thrilling world of gymnastics, from flips to competitions.

Sale price
$699

Who Was Jim Thorpe?

Ages 8–12 · 2023

The story of the life of Jim Thorpe, a legendary athlete and Olympic champion.

Keep exploring