Play Ball! 7 Books for Young Sports Fans

Derek Jeter Presents Night at the Stadium, by Phil Bildner and Tom Booth
Relive your first visit to a ballpark from the comfort of your armchair in this dazzling picture book from future baseball hall-of-famer Derek Jeter. When 7-year-old Gideon gets lost in Yankee Stadium while pursuing an autograph from his favorite player, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure ensues. Step inside this magical new world—on the other side of the dugout—as soon as you can!

Izzy Barr, Running Star by Claudia Mills and Rob Shepperson
Each student of the Franklin School Friends series is a stand out at something, and Izzy Barr is the best runner around. Unfortunately for her, her brother is also a great athlete and possibly the apple of their father’s eye. Will things turn around for Izzy when the big 10k comes to town? For the budding track athlete or distance runner in the family—or for the kid who wants a fun way to pass the time while mom and dad run, pick up Izzy Barr!

Change Up, by Derek Jeter
New York Yankee and bestselling author Derek Jeter hits another homer with the third book in his middle-grade series inspired by his own life. In Change Up, the companion to Hit & Miss and The Contract, Derek thinks everything is all set—his dad is going to coach his youth baseball team, Derek will be the starting shortstop, and his team will definitely win the championship. But the book carries with it an important life lesson: Things don’t always turn out the way you plan, and you have to learn how to deal with those changes without taking yourself out of the game. A fun and engaging read for the sports-minded 9–to–12-year-old set.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord
Set in post-WWII Brooklyn, this story of what it feels like to be an outsider – told by a young Chinese-American girl named Shirley Temple Wong – is as relevant today as it was when it came out in the ‘80s. Shirley finds a kindred spirit in Jackie Robinson, and through him learns how to love herself and what makes her different from her classmates. Even kids who are familiar with Robinson’s story may not realize what a total revolutionary he was, and this book brings him and his struggles to life.

The Extra Yard, by Mike Lupica
It’s looking like eighth-grader Teddy’s life is really on track in this second book in sportswriter and bestselling author Mike Lupica’s Home Team series. Last spring, Teddy nabbed a spot on the Walton baseball team and went all the way to the Little League World Series. He forged some solid friendships and even got up the courage to try out for football. But now Teddy is thrown for a major loop when the father who walked out on him and his family long ago returns. Teddy’s dad was a star football player himself back in the day, and he’s excited to hear his son is going out for the team. But Teddy wonders if his father only cares about him if he’s on the football field.

The Hero Two Doors Down, by Sharon Robinson
Written by the daughter of legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson, The Hero Two Doors Down tells the story of the Robinson family and their move into an all-Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. There are many important teaching moments in this fictionalized account of an unlikely friendship between a sports legend and the eight-year-old boy who lives next door.

Alice the Tennis Fairy (Rainbow Magic: Sports Fairies Series #6) by Daisy Meadows
Even Fairies can get downright competitive, especially when it comes to the Fairy Olympics. In a series of seven books, fairies Rachel and Kirsty have to help each athlete get their equipment back from the evil Jack Frost and his horde of goblins. This time around the girls have to help Alice reclaim her tennis gear before she is due on the court. Part sports chapter book, part mystery, all adventure, parents of fairy loving readers and athletes will really hit a magical home run with this series.