Playing sports is one of the best ways to pass time especially for children. There are many entertaining sports like football, tennis, basketball, which kids enjoy playing. Sports can also be enjoyed on TV as movies, shows and as live coverage’s, in books, in cartoons, etc.
Sports books can be autobiographies, fiction, instructions, etc. But the best of them are sports story (fiction) books, which make sports a lot more entertaining.
Below is a list of 5 sports story books children will enjoy reading:-
1. Tangerine by Edward Bloor
320 pages
Ages 9 and up
Paul Fisher, a 7th grader, moves to Tangerine with his family which includes his father, his mother and his brother Erik. Paul’s almost blind, but one thing he loves to do is play football. He’s a goal keeper and he’s good at it. Though Paul’s good he has to live in the shadow of Erik, his older brother, who is an amazing footballer, who makes a name for himself where ever he goes.
Paul’s got to battle through all this and other students who bully over him, and make it through school without his family’s support. All his family cares about is bettering Erik’s career. All this is set into an entertaining story.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor is one of the best books ever. It covers some important points like bullying, racism, friendship and revenge. You also feel sorry for Paul with all that he’s been through with his family, his brother and the world around him. Also everything here is based around the beautiful sport of football.
2. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
180 pages
Ages 9 and up
Jeffery Magee also known as Maniac Magee has been an orphan since the age of three. He runs away from his Aunt and Uncles’ home as he’s unhappy there. He runs and runs as he enjoys doing it and he eventually reaches the town of Two Mills. Here a girl Amanda Beale invites him to live with her family. He finally gets a home.
In this town he gets the nick name Maniac Magee, because of his immense love for and excellence in sports. He outruns everybody and plays amazing football and unbelievable baseball. Even though he is good at sports and is nice to everybody he encounters many problems with the locals.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is a great book, which covers some important problems like racism. The book seems very serious at times with its focus on problems like racism and homelessness and at other times it seems very uplifting with kind people and Maniac Magee who can make you laugh your heart out. You should read this book.
3. Heat by Mike Lupica
240 pages
Ages 9 and up
Michael Arroyo is a 12 year old baseball player. His dream is to help his team reach the Little League World Series. His great ability to pitch can make his dream come true. But he faces a huge problem when a rival coach doubts if Michael is really 12 years old. He needs to find a new birth certificate as he lost his old one. This is actually a lot harder than it seems as he was born in Cuba and he immigrated here with his father, who has been absent from his life for months.
Michael’s ready to do everything he can to prove that he’s of the right age. Luckily he doesn’t have to do this alone. He has got help from a very supportive close friend called Manny and a mysterious girl.
Heat by Mike Lupica is a well written novel with well developed and entertaining characters. The book is about friendship, brotherhood and how hard it can be to be an orphan. It’s a really beautiful book that can make your emotions pour out. It’s a must read if you love baseball.
4. Travel Team by Mike Lupica
288 pages
Ages 9 and up
Danny Walker is a really good basketball player. He’s quick, talented and fast. But he doesn’t get selected to play for the seventh grade travel team. His coach, Mr. Ross, blames his height for him not being good enough for the team. But Danny thinks that the hatred that exists between his coach and his father Richie Walker was the actual cause.
Danny’s father, Richie, was a basketball player himself, but his career was cut short when he met with an accident. Using his basketball experience he decides to start a basketball travel team of his own, which consists of Danny and other players who got rejected.
Travel Team by Mike Lupica is a very entertaining book. All the games that take place in the book are entertaining and sound real. You can picture everything while you read it. You will feel like you are playing the sport. You should read this book if you like sports especially basketball.
5. Wild River by P.J. Petersen
128 pages
Ages 9 and up
Ryan, a twelve year old boy, likes playing video games and spending most of his time at home while his brother Tanner is more of the athletic kind and is into outdoor sports. Tanner invites Ryan on a kayaking trip. At first Ryan is reluctant, but Tanner convinces him to join him.
The trip starts off well and everything seems alright. Then all of a sudden things get out of hand and the brothers fall of the kayak into the river. Ryan manages to save himself, but his brother Tanner is unconscious. Tanner’s life lies in Ryan’s hands.
Wild River by P.J. Petersen is one adventure filled story. It’s mainly about how different people can be close and care for each other. It’s also about brother hood and how people would do the impossible for people they care about. All of this is woven together by P.J. Petersen’s amazing writing, which compels you to turn every page. You have to read this book, if you love sports and going on adventures.
Have you read any of the above books? Which one is your favourite? Hope I haven’t missed out any of your favourites?