10+ Best Football Books for 14-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for a young football enthusiast? Look no further! Our curated selection of Football Books for 14-Year-Olds is packed with thrilling stories and inspirational journeys that capture the spirit of the game. Whether your teen is a player on the field or an avid fan, these books are sure to score big. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will keep them hooked from kickoff to the final whistle!

Fun Football Books for 14-Year-Olds

• Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Chris Conlan is the new kid in town and trying to fit in by playing football, while brainy Scott Parry is looking for a way to stand out. When Scott helps Chris with his studies, Chris helps him with football, leading to an unexpected friendship.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for showing the value of teamwork and friendship through the exciting lens of football. The book also addresses themes of acceptance and overcoming personal challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts and fans of stories about friendship and personal growth.

• Football Genius by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Troy White has a remarkable ability to predict football plays before they happen, which catches the attention of the Atlanta Falcons. His unique skill leads him into adventures both on and off the field.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines thrilling game play action with a unique storyline that keeps readers engaged. It's a fun way to encourage reading through a topic many teens enjoy.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring athletes and anyone who loves a good underdog story.

• Payback Time by Carl Deuker
  • Genre(s): Sports, Mystery, Thriller
  • Synopsis: Mitch True, an aspiring journalist, and Kimi, his photographer sidekick, suspect that something's off with the new football star at their high school. Their quest for the truth reveals unexpected secrets.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a mix of sports excitement and suspenseful mystery, which makes it a compelling read. It also teaches about the importance of integrity and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Teens who enjoy mysteries and investigative stories, as well as football.

• Tangerine by Edward Bloor
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: Paul Fisher sees the world from behind glasses so thick he seems blind. After moving to Tangerine, Florida, strange things start happening and secrets from his past are unveiled, all while he joins a soccer team and confronts his fears.
  • Why we recommend this book: Although it includes soccer, the themes of overcoming adversity, family dynamics, and self-discovery are universal. It’s a deeper read that also explores social issues.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a story that goes beyond sports to tackle broader life issues.

• The Underdogs by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Will Tyler can play football, but his small town team can't afford to play anymore. Will finds a way to rally the town and his teammates, proving that determination and team spirit can win even in the face of financial hardships.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspirational, showing how passion and perseverance can lead to overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It’s a celebration of community and sportsmanship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love a feel-good sports story and learning about community impact.

Educational Football Books for 14-Year-Olds

• QB 1 by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in Texas, a state where football can define a young man's future. He struggles with living up to the legacy of his father and brother, both former quarterbacks and local legends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of sportsmanship, family dynamics, and personal growth.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the pressure and excitement of Texas high school football while addressing themes of legacy and self-identity.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and readers who enjoy family-centered sports stories.

• Football Champ by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: After helping his team to the state championship, Troy White’s football genius is recognized nationwide, but his skills on and off the field are put to the test when his mother’s job is on the line.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Strategic thinking, integrity, and conflict resolution.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines sports action with real-life challenges, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
  • Perfect for: Fans of sports fiction and stories about overcoming adversity.

• Deep Zone by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Thriller
  • Synopsis: When star wide receiver Ty Lewis is invited to a national tournament in Miami, his skills on the field are matched only by his ability to solve a mystery involving his brother and a mob ring.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, courage, and teamwork.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling mix of sports excitement and suspenseful action.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a good mystery with their sports.

• Unstoppable by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Harrison, an orphan with a troubled past, finds solace and a sense of purpose on the football field, battling opponents and personal demons as he pursues his dream of playing professional football.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Resilience, motivation, and emotional strength.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a powerful story of overcoming obstacles and finding redemption through sports.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in intense, emotionally charged sports stories.

• Pop by Gordon Korman
  • Genre(s): Sports, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: New kid Marcus Jordan unexpectedly becomes friends with a former NFL player in a small town, but the truth about the player’s past could change everything Marcus knows about football and friendship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, ethics in sports, and friendship dynamics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It deals with heavy themes in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for a story that combines sports with significant real-life issues.

Challenging Football Books for 14-Year-Olds

• Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
  • Genre(s): Sports, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: High school quarterback Bobby Framingham, one of the most talented players at his school, must navigate the challenges of coming out to his teammates and friends in a predominantly macho environment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex issues of sexuality and identity within the hyper-masculine context of high school football.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a nuanced exploration of personal identity and courage, offering a perspective that is often underrepresented in sports literature.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in stories that combine sports with significant social themes.

• Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: D.J. Schwenk, a high school girl, takes over her family's small dairy farm and decides to try out for her high school football team, challenging traditional gender roles in her small Wisconsin town.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses gender stereotypes and the struggle for personal identity against societal expectations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story of perseverance and breaking barriers, both on and off the field.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate stories about empowerment and challenging societal norms.

• 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, where the stakes are high and the play brutal.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores the darker, more intense aspects of competitive sports and peer pressure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gripping look at personal integrity and the consequences of choices in a high-stakes environment.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy intense sports action and moral dilemmas.

• Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
  • Genre(s): Sports, Romance, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: Jordan Woods is the captain and quarterback of her high school football team, and she's good enough to play at the college level. Her world is thrown off balance when a new quarterback joins the team and challenges her position and her heart.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines the challenges of high school sports with complex themes of romance and competition.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a compelling narrative about leadership, love, and pursuing one's dreams against tough odds.
  • Perfect for: Teens who enjoy a blend of sports, personal growth, and romance.

• Boost by Kathy Mackel
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: Savvy Christopher is a talented basketball player who moves to a new town and decides to try out for the school's less competitive football team, only to find herself facing unexpected challenges and ethical dilemmas.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with issues of performance enhancement and the pressures young athletes face to succeed.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thought-provoking look at the temptations and ethical questions young athletes can encounter.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in the intersection of ethics, sports, and personal integrity.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading about football can be as thrilling as watching the game itself, especially with the right books in hand. If you're 14 and fascinated by football, developing good reading habits can enhance your enjoyment and understanding of both the sport and literature. Here are some exercises tailored specifically for you to get the most out of your football books.

• Set Specific Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much time you'll spend reading each day or how many pages you want to read.
  • How it helps: Keeps you focused and helps in building a consistent reading habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Dedicated Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Minimizes distractions and enhances your concentration.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s comfortable and has good lighting.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the books with friends, family, or online communities.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try to articulate what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you learned.

• Vary Your Reading
  • What it is: Mix up different types of football books, from biographies to tactical analyses.
  • How it helps: Broadens your perspective and keeps reading interesting.
  • Tips: Choose a different genre every time you finish a book.

• Relate Readings to Real Life
  • What it is: Connect concepts or events in the books with real-world football scenarios.
  • How it helps: Enhances your understanding of the game and its strategic nuances.
  • Tips: Watch games or highlights to see how what you read plays out on the field.

• Use Technology to Enhance Reading
  • What it is: Utilize e-readers, audiobooks, or reading apps.
  • How it helps: Makes reading more accessible and engaging.
  • Tips: Try listening to an audiobook version of a football book while following along with a printed copy.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enjoy your collection of football books more, but you'll also strengthen your reading skills. Remember, the goal is to make reading a regular and enjoyable part of your life, just like football. Happy reading!