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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to fuel your 10-year-old's passion for the beautiful game? Look no further! Our curated list of football books for 10-year-olds is packed with exciting picks that are sure to captivate young minds and deepen their love for football. From thrilling match-day adventures to inspiring stories of teamwork and perseverance, we've got it all. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will score big with your young reader!

Fun Football Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Football Genius by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Young Troy White has a phenomenal gift: he can predict football plays before they happen. When the Atlanta Falcons take notice, Troy gets the chance to help them and his struggling single mom.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of football with a story of teamwork and determination, making reading fun and engaging for sports lovers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love sports and dream of football glory.

• The Unstoppable Wasp: Built On Hope by Sam Maggs
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Superhero
  • Synopsis: Nadia Van Dyne, aka the Unstoppable Wasp, uses her scientific genius and her friends from G.I.R.L. (Genius In action Research Labs) to tackle a mysterious device that's appeared at her lab.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling blend of science and sports with a superhero twist, encouraging readers to embrace their intellect and physical skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy action-packed stories and learning about science.

• Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Chris Conlan is the best player on his football team, but he’s hiding a secret that could jeopardize his spot on the team. When he befriends brainy Alex, both boys learn lessons about friendship and bravery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming story about overcoming challenges and the importance of friendship, both on and off the field.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about sportsmanship and camaraderie.

• Touchdown Kid by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Cory has a lot riding on his football talents, but when his mother loses her job, he must balance his football aspirations with the needs of his family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an inspiring tale that shows how dedication and hard work can lead to overcoming personal and family challenges.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young athletes and readers who appreciate stories of perseverance and family support.

• Quarterback Rush by Carl Bowen, illustrated by Eduardo Garcia
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Star quarterback Drew Brees plays a pivotal game that could decide his team’s fate in the playoffs. The graphic novel format brings the high-stakes football action to life.
  • Why we recommend this book: The dynamic illustrations and fast-paced storytelling make it an exciting read that will keep pages turning.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and kids who are drawn to graphic novels and action-packed sports stories.

Educational Football Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Kickoff! by Tiki Barber and Ronde Barber
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Twins Tiki and Ronde Barber have just started at Hidden Valley Junior High, but their plans for playing football are jeopardized when they realize the challenges of balancing schoolwork and sports.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, time management, balancing academics and extracurricular activities
  • Why we recommend this book: Written by NFL stars, this book gives an authentic look at the struggles and triumphs of young athletes.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts who are balancing school and sports.

• The Football Girl by Thatcher Heldring
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: For as long as she can remember, Tessa has loved playing football. When she becomes the only girl on her school's team, she faces challenges and opportunities that test her passion for the game.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Gender roles in sports, self-confidence, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a compelling story that challenges traditional gender roles and inspires readers to pursue their passions regardless of obstacles.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in stories about breaking barriers and self-discovery.

• The League by Thatcher Heldring
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Wyatt Parker has decided to quit football, but his new interest in a girl leads him to join a dangerous underground football league.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, understanding consequences, peer pressure
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles the intense pressures faced by young athletes and the importance of making good decisions.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy intense sports action and moral dilemmas.

• Football Champ by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: Troy White can predict any football play before it happens. This talent brings him attention not only from important people in the sports world but also from people with less than honorable intentions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, ethics in sports, strategic planning
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of football with a look at the ethical challenges that can arise in sports.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love football and are interested in the complexities of fame and morality in sports.

• Winners Take All by Fred Bowen
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction
  • Synopsis: When the Wildcats win a close game thanks to a questionable call, their star player Kyle has to decide whether winning at any cost is more important than playing the game right.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sportsmanship, ethical judgment, integrity
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the importance of honesty and integrity in sports and in life.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and any reader who values fairness and ethics over mere victory.

Challenging Football Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Young Champion's Mind: How to Think, Train, and Thrive Like an Elite Athlete by Jim Afremow
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Sports Psychology
  • Synopsis: This book teaches young athletes how to cultivate a champion's mindset, enhance their performance, and effectively handle competitive pressures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex psychological concepts and self-improvement techniques that are typically targeted at older audiences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides valuable life skills and mental strategies that go beyond sports, helping young readers develop resilience and a positive mindset.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes looking to improve their mental game and anyone interested in sports psychology.

• Football School Star Players: 50 Inspiring Stories of True Football Heroes by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book profiles 50 of the world's greatest football players, exploring their careers and the unique skills that made them stars.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of historical and contemporary figures, requiring readers to understand diverse contexts and cultures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s inspirational and educational, offering stories of perseverance, dedication, and success that can motivate readers to pursue their dreams.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring footballers and sports fans who enjoy real-life success stories.

• Ultimate Football Heroes: Collect Them All! by Matt & Tom Oldfield
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This collection features the biographies of football heroes from around the world, detailing their journeys from young talents to superstar athletes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed biographies include technical descriptions of play styles and career challenges, offering more in-depth analysis than typical children’s sports books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages reading about role models who demonstrate the importance of hard work, resilience, and sportsmanship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of becoming professional athletes and enjoy detailed sports analysis.

• Soccer IQ: Things That Smart Players Do by Dan Blank
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Sports Instruction
  • Synopsis: This book offers practical advice and tips to improve soccer intelligence, helping young players make smarter decisions on the field.
  • Why this book is challenging: It focuses on the intellectual aspects of playing soccer, which requires players to think critically and anticipate plays, a skill often developed at older ages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique perspective on soccer, focusing not just on physical skills but on mental acuity, which is crucial for player development.
  • Perfect for: Soccer players and enthusiasts who want to enhance their understanding of the game and improve their playing skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a young football fan at home who's just as excited about reading as they are about the game, then blending their love for football with some engaging reading exercises is a fantastic way to enhance their skills. Here are a few exercises tailored specifically for 10-year-olds, designed to make reading about football both fun and beneficial.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of football books or pages to read each week.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and gives a clear target to aim for.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Pick a favorite player or character from the book and write a short story or summary from their perspective.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and allows deeper engagement with the material.
  • Tips: Choose a character or player who really resonates or intrigues your child.

• Vocabulary Football
  • What it is: Create a list of new words found in the football books and use them in sentences related to football.
  • How it helps: Expands vocabulary and applies new words in a context they love.
  • Tips: Encourage using these words in daily conversations about football.

• Reading Relay
  • What it is: Read a football book with a friend or family member, taking turns reading chapters or sections.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity and can improve fluency.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading sessions more lively and engaging.

• Illustrate the Play
  • What it is: Draw scenes or key moments from the football books they read.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory of the reading material and stimulates creativity.
  • Tips: Don't worry about artistic skill; focus on expressing the book's events and themes visually.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's reading routine can not only improve their reading skills but also deepen their appreciation for football through literature. Whether they're just starting out with chapter books or already tackling more advanced reads, these activities are sure to score big in developing lifelong reading habits. Keep the fun going, and maybe you'll have a budding sports writer or a literary enthusiast on your hands!