A hijab-wearing basketball team, a scandalous Olympic race, mountain climbing shrouded in mystery, and a roller derby!, these stories build empathy, share triumphs, and unleash the true spirit of athletes
I love sporting adventures. I’m not talking about training to climb Mount Everest or hiking the world’s tallest mountain peaks or running 100-mile races.
I’m talking about a Bucket List to visit every Major League Baseball stadium (I’m at 15 with the most recent being the Oakland Coliseum).
Oakland Coliseum, June 2023
I’m talking about traveling to Denver to watch my beloved Colorado Rockies play at Coors Field. (Insert shameless teaser to next week’s blog, which will be all about baseball books, as Opening Day is near!).
Or, watching the Colorado Avalanche in a Stanley Cup playoff game at Ball Arena (they went on to win it!).
I’m talking about flying to California to watch USC football in the Holiday Bowl (and traveling to watch them play next year at Michigan in The Big House).
Tahj Washigton, USC, Holiday Bowl
San Diego 2023.
I’m talking about a 5 a.m. flight to Texas to watch the Montana Grizzlies play in the national title football game (What Griz Read).
I’m talking about a different early flight on Thanksgiving Day in 2021 to watch the Dallas Cowboys host the Las Vegas Raiders with my family.
Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game, 2021.
I love those kinds of sporting adventures.
For anyone with a passion for sports, delving into the pages of a well-crafted sports book can offer a unique and enriching experience. Reading sports books is inspiring, enjoyable, and beneficial for readers of all ages, and in this blog I’ll share some new titles and reasons to read.
We Are Big Time, Hena Khan
Sports stories develop empathy and understanding.
With March Madness approaching and the popularity of Caitlyn Clark and Women’s NCAA basketball, it makes sense to highlight this young adult graphic novel. This book, inspired by a true story, welcomes us into the lives of a teen Muslim all-girls basketball team.
This is a great book to delve into the lives of the female athletes – the main character moved from Florida to Milwaukee – as the author sheds light on their struggles, vulnerabilities, and sacrifices. Specifically, readers are able to see the human side of the sport as the author sheds light on cultural perceptions.
The Race of the Century, Kid Toussaint &
Jose Luis Munuera
Sports stories chronicle triumphs and struggles.
This graphic novel published by Europe Comics brings to life the characters and scandals around the worst marathon in Olympic history. In 1904, organizer of the Games, James E. Sullivan, was not looking for the glory of competition or sportsmanship. He deprived the runners of water, chose the hottest time of day to run, and designed a terribly hilly route for the 32 runners. Only 14 completed the event.
The informative pages at the end of the book really bring this story to life. The photos of the real people and the stories to describe the motives of the race … wow! The 1904 marathon in Saint Louis – scandal, selfishness, and unethical behaviors. All the makings of a great story.
The representation of some of the characters in the story is appalling. And, that’s the point. The “science” that was being conducted without the runners knowledge is horrifying. The “superior race” belief that was rampant at the time is disgusting. Each of these scenarios lends to the outlandishness of the runners, the course, the lack of supplies, and even the use of rat poison on one of the marathoners.
The graphic novel genre allows the author and illustrator the design license to match the ludicrous nature of the race itself to the characters and actions. The illustrations are very well done. At 100 pages, this is a quick read and provides a great look at this moment in history.
The Ascenditure, Robyn Dabney
Sports stories inspire stories of triumph.
“I am not basically a man …” Klarke Ascher shoots back at a climbing competitor in this young adult novel.
A peasant after her parents die, Klarke only wants to become an Ascenditure – the elite climbing team who searches for medicines and plants in the high mountains.
With themes of patriarchy, class systems, justice, and courage, this novel is packed with adventure that teens will enjoy. Klarke faces discrimination, betrayal, and alienation in the kingdom that relies on tradition to keep women as property of men and in the home.
Full of mystery (who is trying to stop Klarke from winning?) and intrigue (what really happened to Klarke’s parents?), this YA novel would make a great read for readers interested in competition, climbing, adventure, fantasy, and young women fighting for what is right.
Sign Me Up, C.H. Williams
Sports books provide an escape into a world of passion.
Chapter 1: I Kill the Engine.
Final words: “I may never come back.”
And Alyssa doesn’t – at least not to Alaska.
When Alyssa’s moves from Alaska to California, the 16-year-old ice skater faces challenges of a new school (she was home schooled before), friends (she didn’t really have any before), and all the sounds of L.A. (it was pretty quiet before).
This novel-in-verse is jam-packed with action – it’s a roller derby! – as well as representation with a deaf mom and a budding lesbian relationship.
With themes of being an introvert, making new friends, and normalizing same-sex love, this middle grade novel is a great read.
This is a book that transports readers into a world where their favorite sports come alive, and where excitement, drama, and camaraderie spark imagination.
Sports books provide immersive experiences that are entertaining or therapeutic. Sports books provide intellectual exercises in analytical thinking, strategy, and foster a deeper appreciation of the sport and the athlete.
From stories of triumph and scandal to stories of empathy and understanding, sports books are a wonderful genre full of adventure for all readers.
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