Books About Sports History · 86 titles considered

The Best Sports History Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about sports history? 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 Sports History

Honus & Me
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997

Honus & Me

By Dan Gutman · Book #1 in the Baseball Card Adventures series

A boy discovers a baseball card that lets him time travel to meet legendary players.

144 pages· 24,005 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 3,268 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Joe Stoshack, a baseball enthusiast who struggles to play well, finds a rare T-206 Honus Wagner card while cleaning an attic. This discovery unlocks a time-traveling adventure, taking him back to 1909 to meet the legendary Honus Wagner. As Joe navigates the past, he hopes to learn from Wagner and improve his own game. But can a journey through time teach him the skills he lacks? Dive into a world where history and baseball collide, and discover if Joe can change his fate with the help of a baseball legend.
Legends
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Legends

By Howard Bryant

Discover basketball's legends and dynasties in a thrilling journey through the sport's history.

368 pages· 54,481 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 191 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the world of basketball with legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Explore iconic moments and dynasties from the Celtics to the Spurs. This book is a treasure trove for young fans dreaming of NBA glory, featuring top lists and a timeline of pivotal events. Will you uncover the secrets behind the game's greatest champions?
Promises to Keep
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2004

Promises to Keep

By Sharon Robinson

A daughter's intimate look at Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking legacy on and off the field.

64 pages· 8,356 words· Est. 56 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 363 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking journey through the eyes of his daughter, Sharon. As the first African American in major league baseball, Jackie shattered barriers, not just in sports but in civil rights. This intimate biography reveals his triumphs and struggles, offering a personal glimpse into his life as a devoted family man and activist. With unpublished letters and family photos, discover how his legacy impacted his family, community, and the nation. What challenges did he face, and how did he inspire change beyond the baseball diamond?
What Is the Stanley Cup?
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

What Is the Stanley Cup?

By Gail Herman, Who HQ, Gregory Copeland (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

The story of the Stanley Cup and its history in the National Hockey League.

112 pages· 8,570 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 196 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the thrilling world of the Stanley Cup Finals, where thirty-two teams battle for the ultimate glory in ice hockey. Discover the origins of this historic championship, the legendary curse haunting the Rangers, and the challenges faced during the Spanish flu. Who will rise to hoist the oldest sports trophy in the world? Uncover the drama, triumphs, and heartbreaks that define this epic series.
What Is the World Series?
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

What Is the World Series?

By Gail Herman, Who HQ, David Grayson Kenyon (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

The history of the World Series is explored from its beginnings to the present day.

112 pages· 9,135 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 333 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Journey through over a century of baseball's most thrilling championship series. From the early 1900s to today, explore the evolution of the game, marked by legendary triumphs, devastating heartbreaks, and mysterious curses. Discover how America's Pastime has transformed, captivating millions each October. What secrets and stories lie behind the sport's most iconic moments?
Who Was Jackie Robinson?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Who Was Jackie Robinson?

By Gail Herman, Who HQ, John O'Brien (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, and his journey to break the color barrier

112 pages· 7,592 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,687 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Jackie Robinson, a natural athlete, joins the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, shattering baseball's color barrier. Amidst hate mail and teammate rejection, his resilience and character redefine sports history. Can he overcome the odds and change the game forever?
Sports
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2016

Sports

By Dan Gutman, Jim Paillot (Illustrator) · My Weird School Fast Facts series

A collection of weird and interesting facts about sports.

176 pages· 12,079 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 210 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Join A.J. and Andrea on a wild journey through the strangest sports facts. From golf on the moon to self-passing touchdowns, this book is packed with hilarious trivia and quirky insights. Why do Major League Baseball umpires wear black underwear? Dive into this fun-filled adventure to find out!
Dragon Hoops
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3134
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Dragon Hoops

By Gene Luen Yang

A teacher discovers the thrill of basketball as his school's team chases a historic championship.

Michael L. Printz Honor (2021)
446 pages· 23,617 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 9,561 ratings
$32.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Gene, a comic book enthusiast and teacher, never understood sports. But when his school's basketball team, the Dragons, embarks on a historic season, he finds himself drawn into their journey. As the team inches closer to the California State Championships, Gene realizes their story rivals any comic book epic. This season promises not only to transform the players' lives but also to redefine Gene's own understanding of victory and passion. Will the Dragons achieve their ultimate goal, and how will this journey change Gene forever?
Undefeated
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

Undefeated

By Steve Sheinkin

A team defies odds, challenging privilege and history on the football field.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2017)
288 pages· 54,523 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 3,385 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: In 1907, Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner unite at the Carlisle Indian School, forging a football team that defies the odds. As they battle elite opponents like Harvard, they confront not only rivals but the harsh realities of a system designed to erase their culture. Can they triumph against both the gridiron and societal prejudice? Discover the true story of resilience and innovation that changed American sports forever.
The Bat Boy & His Violin
Sale price
$759
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1998

The Bat Boy & His Violin

By Gavin Curtis, E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

A violinist's music may transform a struggling baseball team's fate. Can it lead to victory?

Coretta Scott King Honor (1999)
32 pages· 1,621 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 548 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Reginald, a young violinist, finds himself as a bat boy for the Dukes, the worst team in the Negro National League. His father, the team's manager, needs help, but Reginald's heart is in his music. As classical melodies fill the dugout, the team's luck begins to change. Can Reginald's violin inspire a miraculous win against the formidable Monarchs? This tale of family, music, and unexpected triumph explores the power of harmony on and off the field.
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Sports History Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about sports history for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Motocross Cycles
Series
Sale price
$2995

Motocross Cycles

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Flipping freestylers and speedy racers put on a thrilling show on two wheels.

Soccer
Series
Sale price
$2855

Soccer

Ages 9–12 · 2011

Discover soccer's evolution and legendary players.

Basketball
Series
Sale price
$3967

Basketball

Ages 9–13 · 2009

Relive basketball's iconic moments where legends are made.

Center
Series
Sale price
$3460

Center

Ages 9–13 · 2010

Discover the secrets of basketball's legendary centers and their path to greatness.

The World Series
Sale price
$2865

The World Series

Ages 8–14 · 2014

Uncover the epic battles and legendary moments of the World Series.

Dallas Mavericks
Series
Sale price
$3564

Dallas Mavericks

Ages 9–11 · 2011

Discover the highs and lows of the Dallas Mavericks' journey in the NBA.

Baseball
Series
Sale price
$3422

Baseball

Ages 0–7 · 2015

Discover baseball's unforgettable records and legendary moments.

View all sports history picture books
Browse by age

Sports History Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about sports history for developing and independent readers.

Jim & Me
#8 in Series
Sale price
$799

Jim & Me

Ages 8–12 · 2008

Time travel to save a disgraced athlete's legacy. Can history be rewritten?

What Is the World Cup?
Series
Sale price
$799

What Is the World Cup?

Ages 8–11 · 2018

The history of the World Cup is explored from its beginnings to the present day.

Who Got Game? Football
Series
Sale price
$1699

Who Got Game? Football

Ages 8–12 · 2026

Meet the overlooked players and wild moments that shaped America's favorite sport.

Indy Cars
Series
Sale price
$2995

Indy Cars

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Discover the thrilling evolution of Indy cars from factory tracks to legendary races.

The World Series
Series
Sale price
$3465

The World Series

Ages 10–14 · 2014

Explore the World Series' evolution from humble beginnings to global spectacle.

View all sports history chapter books
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Books about baseballBooks about athletesBooks about father-son relationshipsBooks about time travel