6 Books to Help Kids Jump Into Spring Sports!
With gusty winds and freezing temperatures sometimes it’s hard to imagine that spring is right around the corner. But the upcoming change in seasons will bring more sun, flowers, and for those young readers who are also athletes—spring sports! So if you can’t be out there practicing your backhand, here are some great reads to get your athlete ready for spring sports season!
{{ product: 9781442485822 }}Win or Lose (Kicks Series), by Alex Morgan
Who better to write an awesome series of young reader books about a girls soccer team than Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan? This book follows middle school soccer team, The Kicks, all the way to the playoffs! Can 7th grade co-captain and superstar player Devin and her teammates come together through all their 7th grade drama and win the big championship? Win or lose, kids are sure to love this empowering book!
Who Was Jackie Robinson?, by Gail Herman, Who HQ, and John O’Brien
Jackie Robinson was one of the most important figures in baseball’s history, and this inspiring biography is a must-read for any of today’s young players. In 1947, Jackie Robinson was the first and only black player to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers—in fact he was the only African American on any major league team. “He was not only a baseball hero. He was a civil rights hero too.”
Fair Ball (Contract Series), by Derek Jeter
Another modern day superstar of the baseball world is Derek Jeter, and not only is he one of baseball’s all time greatest players, he also writes middle grade books! In the fourth book in the Contract series, Fair Ball, ten-year old Derek Jeter’s Little League team is trying to get to the playoffs. But apparently even a young Derek Jeter can get distracted, as problems with his best friend Dave are causing him to lose his focus on the game. Friendship drama is something most kids can relate to, not just professional athletes!
Alice the Tennis Fairy (Rainbow Magic: Sports Fairies Series #6), by Daisy Meadows
The Fairyland Olympics are about to begin, but Alice the Tennis Fairy’s magic racket is missing! Jack Frost and his goblins have stolen the magic racket as well Gemma the Gymnastic’s Fairy’s magic hoop. Kristen and Rachel are determined to get them back! Will their magic be restored before the big event? (And how do I get a magic tennis racket?!) This sweet series has a book for every sport, from Samantha the Swimming Fairy to Stacey the Soccer Fairy.
In the Game (Disney: The Never Girls Series #12), by Kiki Thorpe and Jana Christy
This is another sports book with a fantastical twist! Neverland is a magical place where “adventures happen every day, and anything is possible.” Kate McCrady loves playing soccer, and soccer is all the more fun when you’re flying and catching the ball 10 feet above the ground. This book is a sweet exercise in wish fulfillment for any aspiring soccer player!
P is for Putt: A Golf Alphabet, by Brad Herzog and Bruce Langton
My golf-obsessed grandparents tried unsuccessfully to get me excited about golf as a kid, but perhaps they would have succeeded with this adorable and informative alphabet book. Each letter corresponds to a different element of the game, so you can practice your ABC’s while learning about the history and superstars of the golf world. Cute illustrations will keep youngest readers engaged before they can even hold a putter!
What books about spring sports do your kids love?