10+ Best Football Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to fuel your 12-year-old's passion for football? You're in the right spot! Our curated list of Football Books for 12-Year-Olds is packed with exciting picks that capture the thrill and spirit of the game. Whether your young reader is a budding player or a fervent fan, these books are sure to score big. Keep reading to discover our top selections that will keep them hooked from kickoff to the final whistle!

Fun Football Books for 12-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 the team and prove his worth on the field.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of football with a story of teamwork and determination, making it a gripping read for young sports fans.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts and readers who enjoy stories about underdogs and hidden talents.

• The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Whisper Nelson hates sports, but when she wins a contest to take a shot at a million-dollar soccer kick during halftime of a professional soccer game, she has to train and face her fears.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring tale about overcoming fears and trying new things, even when they seem impossible.
  • Perfect for: Readers who like stories about personal growth and those new to sports.

• Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Brainy Scott Parry joins his school's football team, despite not being the most athletic. With the help of the star quarterback, Chris, Scott finds his place and learns valuable life lessons both on and off the field.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of friendship and finding self-confidence through teamwork and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy heartwarming sports stories and tales of friendship.

• Touchdown Trouble by Fred Bowen
  • Genre(s): Sports, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Sam loves playing football, but when a controversial play happens during one of his games, he and his friends must solve the mystery of whether it was a touchdown or not.
  • Why we recommend this book: Combines sports action with a mystery to solve, keeping readers engaged and entertained throughout.
  • Perfect for: Young mystery lovers and football fans who enjoy a good puzzle.

• Kickoff! by Tiki and Ronde Barber
  • Genre(s): Sports, Autobiographical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the real-life experiences of NFL stars Tiki and Ronde Barber, this book explores their challenges and triumphs during their early years on their school football team.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an authentic look at the hard work and dedication required to succeed in sports, written by athletes who have lived the experience.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young athletes and fans of football looking for real-life inspiration.

Educational Football Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Quarterback Rush by Carl Bowen, illustrated by Eduardo Garcia
  • Genre(s): Sports, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel follows a young quarterback, Chris, who must learn to trust his team and navigate the challenges on and off the field to lead his team to victory.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, leadership, strategic thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines visually engaging graphics with a compelling story about sportsmanship and leadership.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy graphic novels and stories about leadership and teamwork in sports.

• The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Motivational
  • Synopsis: A collection of rules, illustrated with stories from sports figures and the author's personal anecdotes, aimed at inspiring and motivating young readers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Motivation, personal development, understanding of success principles
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical life lessons through the lens of sports, making it relatable and inspiring for young athletes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers looking for motivation and personal growth tips through sports metaphors.

• Football School: Where Football Explains the World by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
  • Genre(s): Sports, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book uses football to explain various aspects of the world, including history, biology, geography, and more, making learning fun and engaging.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge, interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively uses the theme of football to make educational topics accessible and interesting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love football and learning about the world in a fun, engaging way.

• Defense Wins Championships by Jake Maddox
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Casey, the only girl on her school's football team, must prove herself and overcome challenges both on the field and in her social life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Resilience, gender equality, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful story about breaking barriers and the importance of perseverance in sports and life.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in stories about overcoming stereotypes and personal challenges.

• The Football Fanbook: Everything You Need to Become a Gridiron Know-it-All by Gary Gramling
  • Genre(s): Sports, Guidebook
  • Synopsis: A comprehensive guide to understanding football, including rules, strategies, and trivia, aimed at turning any reader into a football expert.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Football knowledge, strategic understanding, historical insights
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an all-encompassing guide that enhances understanding of the game, making it more enjoyable to watch and play.
  • Perfect for: Young football fans eager to deepen their knowledge of the game.

Challenging Football Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
  • Genre(s): Sports, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: High school quarterback Bobby Framingham, one of the best young football talents in the country, must navigate the complexities of his personal and athletic life while coming out to his teammates and the public.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with mature themes such as sexuality and identity within the high-pressure environment of high school sports.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes and encourages empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in sports and social issues, and those looking for stories that promote inclusivity and acceptance.

• Keeper by Mal Peet
  • Genre(s): Sports, Magical Realism, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the life of El Gato, a world-renowned goalkeeper, who tells the story of his unlikely rise to fame from humble beginnings, guided by the mystical Keeper in the South American rainforest.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure intertwines complex themes of destiny and supernatural guidance, layered with deep character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique blend of sports and magical realism that captivates and broadens perspectives.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy deep stories that blend reality with elements of fantasy.

• Tangerine by Edward Bloor
  • Genre(s): Sports, Young Adult, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: Young Paul Fisher views the world from behind glasses so thick he is practically blind, but his football-playing skills and courage lead him to confront family secrets and environmental wrongs in his Florida town.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features sophisticated themes of social justice, family dynamics, and personal resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: This novel encourages critical thinking about moral and ethical questions, wrapped in an engaging, sports-centered story.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are not only interested in sports but also in stories that challenge societal norms and personal ethics.

• Football Hero by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Young Ty Lewis is thrust into a high-stakes world of football where he must balance his school life and the pressures of playing high-level sports with a desire to help his family.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses complex issues such as grief, poverty, and ethical dilemmas in the context of professional sports.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a realistic look at the struggles and triumphs of young athletes, teaching valuable life lessons.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate stories of perseverance and personal growth through sports.

• Unstoppable by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Harrison, an orphan battling cancer, discovers his talent for football and strives to achieve his dream of playing professionally, despite his diagnosis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The protagonist deals with serious health issues and personal loss while pursuing his passion for football.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story of courage and determination against all odds.
  • Perfect for: Readers who look for motivational stories that combine sports with overcoming personal adversities.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a young football fan at home who's also diving into reading, combining their love for the sport with some engaging books can be a game-changer. To make the most out of their reading experience, here are a few exercises designed to develop good reading habits in 12-year-olds. These are simple, fun, and directly tied to their interest in football books.

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

• Chapter Summary
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Keep the summaries short and focus on the main events.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Pick a character from the book and relate their experiences to personal life or aspirations.
  • How it helps: Enhances empathy and deeper understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Choose different characters to keep the exercise fresh and engaging.

• Vocabulary Field
  • What it is: List new words found in the reading and look up their meanings.
  • How it helps: Expands vocabulary and understanding of the context in which words are used.
  • Tips: Use a notebook dedicated to new words and review it regularly.

• Discuss with Friends
  • What it is: Discuss the book with friends who are also reading it or have read it.
  • How it helps: Strengthens understanding through discussion and offers multiple perspectives.
  • Tips: Try to bring up different points or questions in each discussion to keep it interesting.

• Predict the Play
  • What it is: Predict future plots or endings of the book before finishing it.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and engagement with the storyline.
  • Tips: Write down predictions and compare them with the actual outcomes.

These exercises aren't just about improving reading skills; they're about making reading a fun and integral part of your child's daily routine. By focusing on their interests, like football, and integrating activities that reinforce the joy and value of reading, you're setting them up for a lifelong love of books. So, let's get those pages turning and make reading as exciting as game day!