10+ Best Football Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect football books for 8-year-olds? Whether your little one dreams of scoring touchdowns or simply loves the thrill of the game, finding the right book can ignite their passion and deepen their understanding of football. Dive into our carefully curated selections and discover the ideal read that will keep your young football fan hooked. Keep reading to explore various lists of football books tailored just for 8-year-olds!

Fun Football Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Football Fiasco by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story follows Zach and Zoe Walker, twin siblings who love playing sports, especially football. When the football used in their games goes missing, they embark on a fun mystery to find it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of football with a mystery that keeps the pages turning, making it a great way to keep young readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts who enjoy a good mystery.

• Touchdown Kid by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: Cory has always been passionate about football. When he gets the chance to play for his school team, he faces challenges on and off the field, learning valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important life lessons through the lens of football, encouraging persistence and teamwork.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are interested in stories about overcoming challenges and those who love football.

• Football Genius by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Troy White has a remarkable ability to predict football plays before they happen. This talent leads him on an exciting adventure that could change his life and the lives of the Atlanta Falcons forever.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an inspiring story that shows how unique talents can lead to incredible opportunities, all wrapped up in the thrilling context of professional football.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring athletes and any kid who dreams of having a unique talent.

• Quarterback Rush by Carl Bowen, illustrated by Eduardo Garcia
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel follows a young quarterback, Carlos, who must lead his team to victory despite various obstacles. The dynamic illustrations bring the excitement of football games to life.
  • Why we recommend this book: The graphic novel format is particularly appealing to reluctant readers, and the action-packed football scenes make it a thrilling read.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and kids who appreciate fast-paced, action-driven stories.

• My First Book of Football by Beth Bugler and Mark Bechtel, illustrated by Bill Hinds
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Sports, Educational
  • Synopsis: Aimed at beginners, this book introduces young readers to the basics of football, from the rules of the game to the roles of different players.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s educational and designed to help kids understand and enjoy football more deeply, which can be a great bonding activity with friends and family who watch the games.
  • Perfect for: Young readers new to football who want to learn more about how the game is played.

Educational Football Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Magic of Football by Amy Sparkes
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: In this enchanting story, young Charlie discovers a magical football that can transport him to historic football games. He learns about legendary players and iconic matches firsthand.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge of football, reading comprehension, imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines fantasy with real-world football history, making learning fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love football and enjoy magical adventures.

• Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A. G. Ford
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a dusty South African township, a group of friends come together to play soccer, learning about teamwork and community.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, teamwork, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a powerful message about friendship and community through the universally loved game of football.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in learning about different cultures and the importance of teamwork.

• Stars of All Time by Mike Lupica
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Sports, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book highlights some of the greatest football players of all time, detailing their careers and the impact they had on the sport.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, reading for information, inspiration
  • Why we recommend this book: It's informative and inspirational, showing how dedication and hard work can lead to greatness.
  • Perfect for: Young sports fans who aspire to learn from the best in football history.

• Kickoff! by Tiki Barber and Ronde Barber
  • Genre(s): Sports Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Twin brothers Tiki and Ronde face their first year of junior high football, tackling challenges and learning what it means to be part of a team.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, problem-solving, personal growth
  • Why we recommend this book: Written by NFL stars, it offers realistic insights into the challenges and rewards of playing football.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and fans of football looking for relatable role models.

• Football School: Where Football Explains the World by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational, Sports
  • Synopsis: This book uses football to explain various subjects like geography, science, and math, showing how the sport connects with different aspects of life and learning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cross-curricular knowledge, critical thinking, global awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique educational tool that uses the universal appeal of football to teach various subjects in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who love football and learning about the world around them.

Challenging Football Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Young Champion's Mind by Jim Afremow
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Sports Psychology
  • Synopsis: This book teaches young athletes how to stay mentally strong on and off the field, focusing on football and other sports.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of sports psychology and mental training, which are usually targeted at older readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps young athletes develop a strong mental game, improving both their sports performance and their ability to handle daily challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes who are serious about excelling in sports and interested in mental training techniques.

• The Science of Football by John Perritano
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Sports
  • Synopsis: This book explores the science behind football, including physics, biology, and mathematics, explaining how they apply to the game.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into scientific principles and their practical applications in football, which can be complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enriches the reader's understanding of football through a scientific lens, fostering a deeper appreciation and curiosity about the game.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who have a keen interest in science and football, and who enjoy understanding how things work.

• Historic Headlines: A History of Football by Nick Hunter
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, History, Sports
  • Synopsis: This book chronicles the history of football through major headlines and significant events, providing a timeline of how the game has evolved.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of historical events and their impact on football, requiring readers to connect past events with the present game.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a comprehensive look at the history of football, helping readers understand the game's roots and its global impact.
  • Perfect for: History buffs and football fans who are interested in the origins and evolution of the sport.

• Football Analytics: A Game-Changing Perspective by Tim Burt
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Mathematics, Sports
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the use of analytics in football, explaining how data is used to make strategic decisions in the game.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves mathematical concepts and data interpretation, which are advanced topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches critical thinking and analytical skills through the lens of football, preparing young readers for a data-driven world.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring statisticians, analysts, or any young reader with an interest in numbers and their application in sports.

• Epic Athletes: Tom Brady by Dan Wetzel, illustrated by Kazimir Lee Iskander
  • Genre(s): Biography, Sports
  • Synopsis: This illustrated biography details the career of Tom Brady, focusing on his challenges and achievements as one of football's greatest quarterbacks.
  • Why this book is challenging: It provides a detailed look at the life of a professional athlete, discussing complex themes such as perseverance and dedication.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspiring and motivational, showing how hard work and determination can lead to success, both on and off the field.
  • Perfect for: Young sports fans who admire football heroes and aspire to learn from their journeys.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to get your 8-year-old into the exciting world of football through reading, you've come to the right place. Reading about sports can not only fuel their passion for the game but also improve their reading skills. Here are some fun exercises to help young readers develop good habits while enjoying football books:

• Create a Football Reading Corner
  • What it is: Set up a special area in your home dedicated to reading football books.
  • How it helps: Creates a physical space that encourages and excites them about reading.
  • Tips: Decorate the corner with football posters or their favorite team’s colors to make it inviting.

• Football Book Club
  • What it is: Start a book club focused on football books where kids can discuss what they’ve read.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and gives them an opportunity to share their thoughts.
  • Tips: Schedule regular meetings to discuss a book and include fun activities like quizzes or drawing favorite scenes.

• Match Report Summary
  • What it is: After reading a book, the child writes a brief summary as if they are reporting on a football match.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the content and remembering details.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use sports vocabulary and expressions they learned from the book.

• Character Comparison
  • What it is: Compare a character from the book with their favorite football player.
  • How it helps: Helps draw parallels and deepen understanding of both the character and the player.
  • Tips: Discuss traits such as perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

• Visual Vocabulary Field
  • What it is: Create a visual vocabulary list with words from the football books they read.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes learning new words fun.
  • Tips: Use a poster or digital app where they can add new words along with pictures or symbols that represent the word.

Incorporating these exercises can make reading about football an engaging and educational experience for your child. By connecting their love of the game with reading, you're not only boosting their literacy skills but also fueling their passion for learning. So, grab some football books and get started—happy reading!