10+ Best Baseball Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect baseball books for 10-year-olds? Whether your young reader is a budding pitcher or just a fan of the game, there's a book out there to capture their imagination and deepen their love for baseball. Keep reading to discover our top picks of engaging and inspiring baseball books tailored specifically for 10-year-olds!

Fun Baseball Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This tale revolves around a young boy named Tom Gallagher in the small town of Dillontown, where he must help save his beloved baseball field by winning a crucial game. The future of the town's heritage is at stake.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines suspense and sportsmanship with a heartwarming narrative. It's great for boosting reading confidence with a story that connects emotionally and motivates through its themes of teamwork and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts and readers who love underdog stories.

• Heat by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Michael Arroyo, a 12-year-old baseball prodigy from the Bronx, dreams of playing in the Little League World Series, but he faces challenges that threaten to derail his dreams, including questions about his eligibility to play.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gripping look at overcoming obstacles and the importance of family and community. It's engaging and encourages empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring athletes and any young reader who appreciates stories of resilience and determination.

• Baseball Great by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Josh LeBlanc moves to a new town and quickly becomes a star on his school's baseball team. However, he soon discovers that not everything in the world of youth sports is as simple as playing the game he loves.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting mix of sports action and mystery, perfect for keeping readers engaged while promoting critical thinking about ethical questions in sports.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good mystery with their sports stories.

• The Batboy by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Coming of Age
  • Synopsis: Brian Dudley gets the summer job of his dreams as a batboy for his hometown Major League team. He learns invaluable lessons from his idol, a troubled star player, which change his perspective on baseball and life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story about growing up and dealing with heroes and reality, providing a deeper understanding of personal growth and the realities behind sports.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of a life in sports and enjoy stories of personal development.

• Choosing Up Sides by John H. Ritter
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in 1921, this story follows Luke Bledsoe, a preacher's son in a small Ohio town who discovers his remarkable pitching talent, which conflicts with his father's religious beliefs against playing baseball.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of self-discovery and conflict between personal desires and family expectations. It's thought-provoking and offers a historical perspective on sports.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history and the moral dilemmas one might face while pursuing their passion.

Educational Baseball Books for 10-Year-Olds

• A Strong Right Arm by Michelle Y. Green, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
  • Genre(s): Biography, Sports Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: The inspiring story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, one of the first female pitchers in Negro League Baseball, overcoming numerous obstacles to follow her dreams.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: History of baseball, gender and racial equality, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful biography that highlights resilience and determination, showcasing an important figure in sports history who broke gender and racial barriers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history, inspiring role models, and the transformative power of sports.

• The Kid Who Only Hit Homers by Matt Christopher
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Sylvester Coddmeyer III, who has never been good at baseball, suddenly starts hitting homers with the help of a mysterious stranger named Mr. Baruth.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-confidence, understanding the value of practice and mentorship
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines a magical element with the realistic challenges of sports, making it engaging and motivational for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a blend of fantasy and sports, and those looking for stories about improvement and success.

• Winners Take All by Fred Bowen
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Kyle, who dreams of being a pitcher, learns valuable lessons about sportsmanship and teamwork when his team gets a coach who seems determined to win at all costs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, ethics in sports, sportsmanship
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the important aspects of playing fair and the true meaning of victory in sports.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and any reader learning about integrity and the real values of competition.

• Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Drama
  • Synopsis: After her mother's death, Molly Parker meets her father, Josh Cameron, a Boston Celtics star, who didn't know she existed. Together, they navigate the challenges of forming a father-daughter relationship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family dynamics, emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: Though it's centered around basketball, the story offers universal lessons about family and belonging that are applicable to any young reader, especially those dealing with personal challenges.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy heartfelt dramas and stories about family connections.

Challenging Baseball Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Out of Left Field by Ellen Klages
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: In 1957 San Francisco, Katy Gordon, a skilled baseball pitcher, is told that girls are not eligible to play Little League baseball, sparking her quest to challenge and change the rules.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative intertwines complex themes of gender equality and social justice with historical context, making it a thought-provoking read.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a compelling look at perseverance and fighting for one’s rights, which is inspiring and educational.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history, social issues, and sports.

• The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Coming of Age
  • Synopsis: Eighth-grader Molly Williams uses knuckleball pitching to cope with her father's death and to carve out a place for herself on the boys' baseball team.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of loss and grief while also detailing the intricacies of baseball, providing a multidimensional challenge to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that combines personal growth with sports, encouraging emotional resilience and determination.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate stories of overcoming adversity and those interested in unique sports techniques.

• Soar by Joan Bauer
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Jeremiah is a heart transplant survivor who moves to a new town and takes on the challenge of coaching a struggling middle school baseball team.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book addresses complex issues like medical challenges and personal recovery, intertwined with the theme of leadership in sports.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an uplifting story of hope and resilience, showing how one can lead and inspire others despite personal obstacles.
  • Perfect for: Young leaders and any reader who enjoys stories about triumph and the positive impact of sports on communities.

• Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: In 1950s Brooklyn, Maggie Fortini becomes a devoted Brooklyn Dodgers fan and learns about baseball and life from her firefighter friend, Jim, who later goes to fight in the Korean War.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book blends historical events with the personal growth of the protagonist, requiring readers to understand broader social and historical contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a rich narrative that teaches about loyalty, friendship, and the healing power of sports during tough times.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical settings and stories that intertwine sports with deeper life lessons.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a young baseball fan at home who's also keen on reading, blending their love for the sport with some engaging books can be a home run. To make the most out of their reading experience, here are some fun and effective exercises designed to help 10-year-olds develop solid reading habits while enjoying their favorite baseball books. Let's dive in!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps build a reading routine.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a special area in the house for reading.
  • How it helps: Minimizes distractions and enhances focus.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with baseball posters or their favorite team’s colors.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Form a book club where friends read the same baseball book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity and can improve comprehension through discussion.
  • Tips: Host a monthly meeting where everyone discusses the book and plays some baseball-related games.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and retention by translating words into visual images.
  • Tips: Use colored pencils or markers to make the drawings more engaging and fun.

• Summarize Chapters
  • What it is: Write a short summary of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and memory of the story.
  • Tips: Keep summaries brief and highlight key points or exciting moments in the chapter.

• Predict the Play
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next in the story before reading the next part.
  • How it helps: Stimulates critical thinking and makes reading more interactive.
  • Tips: Discuss predictions with friends or family members to see different perspectives.

• Connect to Real Games
  • What it is: Relate events or strategies in the book to real baseball games or players.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the game and links reading to real-world interests.
  • Tips: Watch baseball games together and discuss how the strategies from the books are used in real games.

Wrapping up, these exercises aren't just about improving reading skills; they're about making reading fun and relevant, especially for a baseball-loving kid. By incorporating these activities, you're not only fostering a love for reading but also deepening their appreciation and understanding of baseball. Swing for the fences and watch your young reader thrive!