Books About Youth Athletes

The Best Youth Athletes Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about youth athletes? 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 Academy V
Graphic Nov.
The Shortlist

Our 5 Favorite Books About Youth Athletes

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$958
Chapter Book · Ages 7–13 · 2026

The Academy V

By T.Z. Layton · The Academy series

A young soccer star must unite a struggling team to win the U15 Cup of Nations.

304 pages· 74,832 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
4.8/5 Goodreads · 453 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Summary: Leo, a rising soccer star, faces his toughest challenge yet: leading an underdog U.S. team in the U15 Cup of Nations. With a team lacking chemistry and Premier League talent, and the pressure of being the host nation, can Leo inspire his squad to victory, or will they falter on the world stage? As the stakes soar, Leo must navigate the trials of leadership and teamwork. Will he rise to the occasion, or will the dream of triumph slip away? Dive into this thrilling installment of The Academy series and find out.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–14 · 2014

Quarterback Rush

Why can't the Otters win when their quarterback throws perfectly?

72 pages· 1,463 words· Est. 14 min read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 220 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Summary: The Otters excel in practice, but on game day, they falter. Receiver Steve Michaels suspects quarterback Aaron Corbin's fear of getting hit is the issue. As Steve and his teammates work to toughen Aaron up, they uncover a deeper problem. Can they solve it before the season slips away? Discover the true challenge behind the Otters' struggle and whether they can unite to turn their potential into victory.
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2020

All Thirteen

Trapped in a cave, a soccer team faces rising floodwaters and a global rescue mission.

Newbery Honor (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2021)Cybils Award (2020)Golden Kite Award (2021)Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)
280 pages· 42,024 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,984 ratings
$25.99Save 5%
Summary: Twelve young soccer players and their coach are trapped in a flooded Thai cave. As the world watches, a daring seventeen-day rescue unfolds. Can these ordinary kids survive the darkness and hunger? Discover the extraordinary courage and global effort that turned a perilous situation into a miraculous rescue. Dive into the suspenseful blend of science, culture, and human spirit that saved the Wild Boars.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

The Contest

By Gordon Korman · Book #1 in the Everest series

Four kids race to conquer Everest, but disaster looms.

144 pages· 25,578 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,515 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Four young climbers from across America vie to be the first to summit Everest. As they ascend, fierce competition turns deadly when disaster strikes. Who will survive the ultimate test of bravery and endurance? With only chance and courage separating them from peril, the mountain demands everything they have. Will they conquer the peak or fall victim to its treacherous heights?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Lucky Scramble

Six cubers compete in Vegas, each with secrets and ambitions. Who will solve the ultimate puzzle?

192 pages· 14,348 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 239 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Summary: Twelve-year-old Tyler Goodman dreams of the Speed Cubing National Championships, but lacks the funds to compete. A sponsorship from CubeMania changes everything. In Vegas, Tyler faces fierce rivals: Dirk, aiming for a third win; twins Lizzy and Izzy, who might split paths; prodigy Eli, with mysterious cubes; and veteran Miles, seeking new records. As the competition heats up, each cuber has something to prove. Will Tyler's journey end in victory or unravel in unexpected ways? Dive into a world where every twist and turn counts.
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