Books about sport

Dreamer Ballerina

Whether you prefer football or cycling, ballet or basketball, there's something for everyone on our list of sporting books, which are perfect for children aged 8-14 years-old.

  • Keeper

    Author: Mal Peet

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Keeper

    Author: Mal Peet

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    In this excellent football story, set in modern-day South America, a hackneyed football reporter sits down with El Gato (the Cat),…

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  • Fat Boy Swim

    Author: Catherine Forde

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Fat Boy Swim

    Author: Catherine Forde

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

    This is a wonderful story, brilliantly told in the Glaswegian dialect, and despite containing distressing accounts of bullying, it…

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  • Friendly Matches

    Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Fritz Wegner

    Interest level: 6-9

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Friendly Matches

    Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Fritz Wegner

    Interest level: 6-9

    Reading age: 6+

    Friendly Matches is an entertaining, and at times thought-provoking, collection of poetry about football.

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  • Tall Story

    Author: Candy Gourlay

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Tall Story

    Author: Candy Gourlay

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Engagingly told in alternate chapters by four-foot, thirteen year-old Andi, in the UK, and her eight-foot, sixteen year-old half b…

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  • Pony on the Twelfth Floor

    Author: Polly Faber Illustrator: Sarah Jennings

    Interest level: 7-11

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Pony on the Twelfth Floor

    Author: Polly Faber Illustrator: Sarah Jennings

    Interest level: 7-11

    Reading age: 7+

    This hilarious and heart-warming chapter book combines an entertaining plot and a diverse range of characters with delightfully fu…

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  • Wonder Goal

    Author: Michael Foreman

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Wonder Goal

    Author: Michael Foreman

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 7+

    Being the new boy on the football team is no fun, especially for one little boy who trips over the shoelaces his team-mates have t…

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  • Roller Girl

    Author: Victoria Jamieson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Roller Girl

    Author: Victoria Jamieson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 9+

    It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone. A fantastic…

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  • Willy the Champ

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Willy the Champ

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 6+

    Another book about Willy the chimpanzee who doesn't conform to the macho stereotypes and so comes in for a lot of hard times and b…

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  • Dream On

    Author: Bali Rai

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Dream On

    Author: Bali Rai

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    Much to the disapproval of his parents, Baljit is mad on football and when he is invited to trials at Leicester City, he has to li…

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  • Splash

    Author: Charli Howard

    Interest level: 9-12

    Reading age: 10-12

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  • Splash

    Author: Charli Howard

    Interest level: 9-12

    Reading age: 10-12

    Molly is passionate about swimming but is having to deal with a domineering friend and a difficult home life. A sensitive novel th…

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  • Fantasy Sports

    Author: Sam Bosma

    Interest level: 7-12

    Reading age: 7-9

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  • Fantasy Sports

    Author: Sam Bosma

    Interest level: 7-12

    Reading age: 7-9

    Magic and sport are rarely combined in stories for children, especially with a girl protagonist you can root for from the first pa…

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  • Dreamer Ballerina

    Author: Sarah Rubin

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Dreamer Ballerina

    Author: Sarah Rubin

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 10+

    A dance story with a difference, Dreamer Ballerina tells the story of small town girl Casey Quinn, who just can’t keep her t…

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  • The One Dollar Horse

    Author: Lauren St John

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • The One Dollar Horse

    Author: Lauren St John

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 10+

    Casey Blue lives with her father in a tower block in Hackney, London , but despite her urban existence, she dreams of one day beco…

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  • Seconds Out

    Author: Dan Tunstall Illustrator: Dave Shephard

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Seconds Out

    Author: Dan Tunstall Illustrator: Dave Shephard

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 9+

    Andy Cope’s self-worth centres on his reputation as the hardest lad in Year 10 – a reputation he frequently has to fig…

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  • Hero on a Bicycle

    Author: Shirley Hughes

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

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  • Hero on a Bicycle

    Author: Shirley Hughes

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

    The first novel from much-loved author and illustrator Shirley Hughes is a thrilling and moving story about a boy and his bicycle,…

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  • Max the Champion

    Author: Sean Stockdale and Alexandra Strick Illustrator: Ros Asquith

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Max the Champion

    Author: Sean Stockdale and Alexandra Strick Illustrator: Ros Asquith

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 5+

    This inclusive book is about a boy who loves sport, his friends, and school - and has a vivid imagination

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  • The Silent Striker

    Author: Pete Kalu

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

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  • The Silent Striker

    Author: Pete Kalu

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

    Marcus lives and breathes football. He might even have the makings of a professional player. But Marcus' life is about to change. …

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  • Air

    Author: Lisa Glass

    Interest level: 13-15

    Reading age: 11+

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  • Air

    Author: Lisa Glass

    Interest level: 13-15

    Reading age: 11+

    Iris travels far away to a surfing competition with her boyfriend, Zeke, but when they are both far away from what they know, Iris…

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  • Rugby Flyer

    Author: Gerard Siggins

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Rugby Flyer

    Author: Gerard Siggins

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    Vividly drawn, engaging characters and short, sparky chapters keep the action fast-paced in this absorbing story set at a rugby sc…

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