Gold Medal Sports Books for Teens

Lynn: I admit to being a little sports-mad even in ordinary times but the Olympics pushes my enthusiasm over the bar! If you have readers like that, here are a few new titles featuring 3 sports.

Just Add Water: My Swimming Life (S&S, 2024) by Katie Ledecky. This charming and fascinating memoir is a timely look at her career so far by the woman who has won more Olympic medals than any other American woman. Competing and winning a gold medal at age 15 in her first Olympics, Ledecky published this account just before the Paris Olympics where she won even more medals. Chapters alternate between a chronological account of her swimming career and chapters introducing the family members who have inspired and supported her.  Known for her work ethic and sportsmanship, Ledecky is humble here but her commitment shines through this terrific story. This was published as an adult title but it is totally appropriate for middle and high school libraries.

We Are Big Time (Random/Knopf, 2024) by Hena Khan. There’s not much I love more than an underdog sports story! This GN delivers not only that but is also a story based on a true event featuring an all-girls hijab-wearing team from a Muslim high school in Milwaukee. Aliya’s family has moved from warm Tampa to freezing Wisconsin and she is missing her old home terribly. She is also missing her winning basketball team as the Salam High School team is pretty terrible. In fact, they’ve never had a winning season. Not only does Aliya’s team have to battle discrimination, both of their culture and their gender, but they have to figure out how to come together as a team. It all makes for a compelling story that will have readers racing to the end. I read this in galley but even in that format, the illustrations are expressive, dynamic, and vivid.  Stock up!

Tryouts (Random/Knopf, 2024) by Sarah Sax. I went into this next installment of the Brinkley Yearbook series expecting it to be a story about a female athlete battling to play on a male team. The surprise here is that the new coach welcomes Alexandra or Al delightedly. The baseball team looks to be a shoo-in to win its tenth season until Al captures the attention of the media and all their focus goes to her. Feeling jealous and left out, the rest of the team resents her fame and their winning season is in jeopardy. Bright colorful illustrations make this a fun, fast read and the topic of PR and social media is timely and important.