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Teen Reading List:
Sports

Bloor, Edward  - Tangerine

Even though he is nearly blind, Paul loves to play soccer. He lives in the shadow of his brother, a football hero. As Paul joins a new team, he is surprised to find that he fits in. All the while, though, there is a hazy memory of how he lost his sight.

Brooks, Bruce - The Moves Make the Man (book, audio)

Jerome Foxworthy hates baseball almost as much as he loves basketball but there is just something unique about that shortstop Bix Rivers. From the first time Jerome sees Bix on the field, to the late-night basketball lessons on the secret court; these two young athletes form a strange but strong friendship.  

Carter, Alden R. - Bull Catcher

When Bull has to write a baseball journal for his senior project, he begins to look differently at his life. Is he willing to give up everything else to pursue the dream of becoming a pro baseball player? Bull isn't so sure anymore. 

Coleman, Evelyn - Born in Sin

When Keisha's plans to attend a premed vacation school at Emory University are ruined by her high school guidance counselor, she decides to learn how to swim competitively at the at-risk summer program she is sent to instead. 

Crutcher, Chris - Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories (book, audio)

A collection of short stories with a sports theme and main characters who have to come to terms with something: being overweight, having a domineering father, grief, and bigotry.  

Crutcher, Chris - Ironman

Fed up with team sports and with adults like his coach, his English teacher and his dad, Bo Brewster turns to talk-show host Larry King to tell the story of his training for the Yukon Jack Triathlon. Bo also talks about the problems that landed him in Anger Management group, and the other "tough guys" he meets there. 

Deuker, Carl - Night Hoops

In his sophomore year, Nick moves out of his big brother Scott's shadow to become a promising basketball player. Along the way, he befriends a troubled fellow player in spite of family and peer pressure to leave him alone. 

Deuker, Carl - Painting the Black

When star athlete Josh Daniels moves in across the street, Ryan Ward doesn't realize how much his life will change as Josh tests the limits of their friendship. 

Draper, Sharon - Double Dutch

Set in inner-city Cincinnati, the story revolves around three friends who are practicing for the International Double Dutch Championship jump rope competition. Within this story, there are two other stories about two of the friends and problems they need to overcome. 

Dygard, Thomas - The Rebounder

Chris is the Panther's best chance for a basketball championship if he can overcome the effects of a tragic accident. 

Hobbs, Valerie - How Far Would You Have Gotten If I Hadn't Called You Back?

Bronwyn and her family have just moved to Ojala, California from New Jersey and Bron (for short) hates it. In Jersey, she knew the moves and the lingo and had a steady boyfriend. Here, all the kids have long legs and long hair. She's sure she'll never fit in; then she meets a "bad boy" who might just change her mind. 

Jarzyna, Dave - Slump

Mitchie Evers is in what his neighbor Annie calls, "the worst slump ever in the history of the universe." But Mitchie soon realizes that he got himself into this mess, so he is determined to get himself out. 

Johnson, Scott - Safe at Second

Paulie and Todd have been best friends forever. Todd is a star pitcher, sure to be drafted by the pros. Paulie is happy in his role as Todd's best friend and biggest fan. But when an accident permanently sidelines Todd, Paulie has to reassess who he really is and what he wants out of life. 

Klass, David - Danger Zone

Jimmy Doyle is the basketball star of small Granham, Minnesota. When some scouts offer him a trip to Europe as a member of the American Teen Dream Team, he finds it hard to get the mostly African American team to accept him. Racial tension abounds both on the team and in some of the crowds. 

Lipsyte, Robert - The Contender (book, audio)

Alfred runs up the stairs to Donatelli's Gym to get away both from the gang chasing him and from his world, which seems to have no way out. In Donatelli's, he learns that a way out must be earned, and to be a champion, you must first be a contender.  

Myers, Walter Dean - Hoops

Lonnie sees basketball as his ticket out of the projects. His coach, Cal knows he has the talent to make it in the pros. But Cal also wants to make sure that Lonnie doesn't make the same mistakes he did. When some bookies want Cal to keep Lonnie out of the big game, both Lonnie and Cal find their futures at stake. 

Myers, Walter Dean - Slam!

Slam! That's what Greg Harris does on the court, and nobody can mess with his game, so it makes no sense that he's not in the starting lineup at the white high school he attends. Off the court, he has to face trouble with his family, his grades, his girlfriend, and his best friend, Ice, who he suspects is dealing drugs. 

Rottman, S. L. - Head Above Water

Skye Johnson is a junior in high school and is a competitive swimmer. She becomes resentful of her role as primary caregiver to her older brother Sunny, who has Down's Syndrome. 

Weaver, Will - Farm Team

Billy loves baseball, but when the obstacles to playing in the City League become too much for him to overcome, he creates his own team. 

Wells, Rosemary - When No One Was Looking

Kathy plays tennis very, very well. She has the talent to become a champion. But, as with all athletes, there is one opponent she can't beat. When that girl is found dead, things begin to unravel.