10+ Best Hockey Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect hockey books for 7-year-olds to ignite a passion for the game in your little one? You've scored the right spot! Whether your child is a budding player or just curious about the sport, we've gathered a fantastic selection of reads that will keep them hooked. Keep reading to discover our top picks of hockey books for 7-year-olds that are sure to score big with your young reader!

Fun Hockey Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Brady Brady and the Great Rink by Mary Shaw, illustrated by Chuck Temple
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Brady Brady is obsessed with hockey and builds his own backyard rink to play on all the time. His dedication and passion for the game inspire his friends and family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of teamwork and dedication through an engaging and relatable story for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young hockey enthusiasts and children who enjoy stories about sportsmanship and creativity.

• The Magic Hockey Stick by Peter Maloney, illustrated by Felicia Zekauskas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This charming tale follows a young girl who receives a hockey stick once owned by a famous hockey player. The stick seems to bring her luck and skill, but she learns about true sportsmanship.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of hockey with a magical element, making it a fun and inspiring read for young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love sports and magical adventures.

• Face-Off by Jake Maddox
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Two brothers battle it out on the ice as they compete for a spot on the varsity hockey team, learning about rivalry, respect, and reconciliation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses themes of competition and brotherhood in a context that's relatable to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy realistic sports stories and learning about resolving conflicts.

• Goodnight Hockey by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Christina Forshay
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This is a soothing bedtime story that captures the excitement and joy of a hockey game, winding down to a peaceful night's sleep.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle storytelling makes it a perfect bedtime read for young hockey fans.
  • Perfect for: Young readers looking for a calming story at bedtime, especially after a day full of activities.

• Hockey Hero by Zachary Hyman, illustrated by Zachary Pullen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Coming of Age
  • Synopsis: A shy young boy becomes a hockey hero in an important game, overcoming his fears and gaining confidence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an uplifting story that encourages children to believe in themselves and their abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a confidence boost or anyone who enjoys an underdog story.

Educational Hockey Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet by Matt Napier, illustrated by Melanie Rose
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Alphabet Book
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers through the alphabet, using each letter to explore different aspects of hockey, from players to game rules.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, vocabulary related to hockey, understanding of the game
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates the sport of hockey into a learning experience about the alphabet and vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Young hockey fans beginning to learn to read or anyone interested in the basics of the game.

• The Highest Number in the World by Roy MacGregor, illustrated by Geneviève Després
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: A young girl aspires to wear her grandmother's hockey jersey number, but faces disappointment when it's not available. She learns valuable lessons from her grandmother about the sport's history and her family.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of heritage and traditions in sports, emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It connects generations through the love of hockey and teaches about acceptance and pride in one's achievements.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy family stories and learning about the history of sports.

• Hockey Counts! by Matt Napier, illustrated by Melanie Rose
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to numbers and counting through the lens of hockey, featuring scenes from the sport to illustrate numbers one through ten.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting skills, numerical recognition, early math concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses the exciting world of hockey to make learning numbers fun and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and young children who are fans of hockey and are starting to learn basic math skills.

• My First Book of Hockey: A Rookie Book by Sports Illustrated for Kids
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Aimed at introducing the youngest readers to the sport, this book explains the basic rules of hockey and details about the game in a simple, engaging way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic understanding of hockey, sportsmanship, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great starter book for toddlers and young children who are new to hockey, providing clear and simple explanations of the game.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children just starting to show interest in sports, particularly hockey.

• When the Moon Comes by Paul Harbridge, illustrated by Matt James
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: In this beautifully illustrated book, a group of friends waits for the full moon to play hockey on the frozen pond in their town, experiencing the magic of a night game.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Appreciation for nature, teamwork, community involvement
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the enchantment of playing hockey outdoors and the camaraderie among players.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love outdoor adventures and community-based sports stories.

Challenging Hockey Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story is set in a small Quebec town, where a young boy's love for his Montreal Canadiens sweater is challenged when he is mistakenly sent a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates themes of identity, tradition, and cultural conflict, making it richer and more complex.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a glimpse into Canadian culture and the deep-rooted rivalries in hockey, wrapped in a story about growing up and dealing with disappointment.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history, sports, and stories with a cultural significance.

• Oliver's Game by Matt Tavares
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Oliver discovers his grandfather's trunk filled with memorabilia from his days playing for the Chicago Blackhawks before he went to war.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with historical contexts and the emotional impacts of war, providing a deeper narrative that challenges young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It connects past and present through a love for hockey, offering lessons about bravery and the importance of dreams.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy intergenerational stories and learning about history through personal stories.

• Breakaway by Maureen Ulrich
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Jessie moves to a new town and struggles to fit in, finding solace and challenges in playing on the local girls' hockey team.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses complex issues like social integration, self-discovery, and gender roles in sports.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a compelling story about overcoming obstacles and finding your place, ideal for encouraging resilience and determination.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who appreciate stories about empowerment and personal growth through sports.

• Saving the Team by Alex Morgan
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Although not about hockey, this book features a young athlete, Devin, who moves to California and works to save her soccer team from being cut due to lack of success.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of leadership and teamwork in a sports setting, which can be applied universally, including in hockey.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's written by a professional athlete and offers realistic insights into sports dynamics and personal development.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes who enjoy stories about sportsmanship, leadership, and the drive to succeed.

• The Hockey Machine by Matt Christopher
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: Steve is a talented young hockey player who gets kidnapped by a manufacturer of a hockey-playing robot, and he must play against the machine to save himself.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines elements of science fiction with sports, introducing advanced concepts like artificial intelligence in an accessible way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes excitement and technology with the love of hockey, making it a thrilling read for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have an interest in technology and futuristic stories, as well as hockey.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to turn your 7-year-old into a little bookworm with a passion for hockey, you've come to the right place. Reading can be as fun as scoring a goal, especially with books about their favorite sport! Here are some engaging reading exercises that will not only keep them hooked but also improve their reading skills.

• Create a Hockey Book Club
  • What it is: Form a small book club focused on hockey books for kids.
  • How it helps: Encourages social interaction and discussion, enhancing comprehension and interest.
  • Tips: Schedule regular meet-ups to discuss a book, and maybe include some hockey playtime too!

• Hockey Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Make a list of new words from the hockey books they read.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary related to their favorite sport.
  • Tips: Use the new words in daily conversation or in creative writing.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the hockey books with friends or family.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of the story and characters.
  • Tips: Dress up as characters from the book to make the activity more fun and engaging.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before finishing the book, guess what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and anticipation skills.
  • Tips: Discuss your predictions with others to see different perspectives.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters based on the description in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall, and adds a visual element to the reading experience.
  • Tips: Use a mix of colors and materials to make the illustrations as creative as possible.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a short summary of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of the plot.
  • Tips: Keep the summaries in a notebook to review before reading the next chapter.

These exercises are not only fun but are great stepping stones for developing strong reading habits. By incorporating their love for hockey into reading, you're setting them up for a win-win situation: improving their literacy skills while deepening their appreciation of the game. So, grab some hockey books, and let's get started! Happy reading and scoring!