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

Looking for the perfect way to kickstart your little one's love for the beautiful game? You're in the right spot! Our curated selection of soccer books for 7-year-olds is designed to captivate and educate young minds about the thrills of soccer. Whether your child is a budding player or a curious reader, these books are sure to score big. Keep reading to discover various lists of soccer books that will keep your young soccer fan turning the pages!

Fun Soccer Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Winners Never Quit! by Mia Hamm, illustrated by Carol Thompson
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book features Mia, a young girl who loves soccer but struggles with her feelings when she doesn't win. Inspired by the experiences of soccer legend Mia Hamm.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about sportsmanship, perseverance, and the importance of continuing to play even when things get tough.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and any child learning how to handle disappointment and loss.

• The Berenstain Bears Get Their Kicks by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
  • Genre(s): Sports, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This engaging story follows the Bear family as Brother Bear and Sister Bear get involved in playing soccer, learning about teamwork and practice.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for introducing young readers to the concept of teamwork and the basics of soccer in a fun, familiar setting.
  • Perfect for: Fans of the Berenstain Bears series and young readers just starting to play team sports.

• Sean Wants to Be Messi by Tanya Preminger, illustrated by Elettra Cudignotto
  • Genre(s): Sports, Biography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: A story about a young boy, Sean, who dreams of becoming as great a soccer player as his hero, Lionel Messi, focusing on his challenges and aspirations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It motivates children to dream big and work hard by showing them how dedication and passion can lead to achieving goals.
  • Perfect for: Young soccer fans and any child who has a dream to be great at something they love.

• Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Dinosaurs playing soccer! This book combines the excitement of a soccer match with the fun of dinosaurs in a thrilling game.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and imaginative take on soccer that will capture the attention of kids who love both sports and dinosaurs.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy fantasy and sports, especially those with a big imagination.

• Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: While not solely about soccer, this charming story includes elements of it as Max and Ruby prepare for Grandma's birthday, with Max trying to buy a special soccer toy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sweet story that incorporates themes of problem-solving and determination, with a touch of soccer fun.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy family stories and those who like a bit of humor mixed with their sports.

Educational Soccer Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Soccer Star by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by Renato Alarcão
  • Genre(s): Sports, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Paulo, a young boy in Brazil who dreams of becoming a soccer star. Despite the challenges he faces, including poverty and a lack of resources, Paulo uses soccer as a way to aspire for a better life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, perseverance, understanding of different cultures, and goal-setting
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an inspiring look at how sports can provide hope and change lives, set against a vibrant Brazilian backdrop.
  • Perfect for: Kids who dream of playing soccer professionally and those interested in stories of overcoming obstacles.

• Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A. G. Ford
  • Genre(s): Sports, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a township in South Africa, this book tells the story of Ajani and his friends who find joy and escape playing soccer together, even with only a new, federation-size soccer ball.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social awareness, resilience, community values, and sportsmanship
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the power of friendship and community through the universal language of soccer, encouraging children to appreciate what they have.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about friendship and sports, and those learning about diverse cultures through play.

• Pelé, King of Soccer/Pelé, El rey del fútbol by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
  • Genre(s): Biography, Sports, Bilingual
  • Synopsis: This bilingual English/Spanish book explores the life of Pelé, one of the greatest soccer players ever, from his humble beginnings in Brazil to his rise in global soccer.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Bilingual language skills, historical knowledge of sports figures, inspiration and motivation
  • Why we recommend this book: It's not only a biography but also a source of inspiration, showing how dedication and love for a sport can lead to worldwide recognition.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young soccer players and any child interested in learning about sports heroes in two languages.

• The Soccer Fence: A story of friendship, hope, and apartheid in South Africa by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Sports
  • Synopsis: The book chronicles the journey of a young boy in South Africa during apartheid, showing how the country's gradual embrace of soccer helped bridge divides and foster friendships.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical awareness, empathy, understanding of racial issues, and teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a poignant look at how sports can unite people and serve as a catalyst for social change.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history and those who believe in the power of sports to heal and bring people together.

• Let's Play Soccer by Patricia J. Murphy
  • Genre(s): Sports, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beginner's book introduces young readers to the basics of soccer, including rules, equipment, and playing tips, with engaging photos and simple text.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic soccer knowledge, reading and comprehension, motor skills through encouraging physical activity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great primer for young children just starting out in soccer, offering clear, easy-to-understand information.
  • Perfect for: Young beginners to soccer and early readers looking to understand more about how the game is played.

Challenging Soccer Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Soccer School Season 1: Where Soccer Explains (Rules) the World by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton, illustrated by Spike Gerrell
  • Genre(s): Sports, Education, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This book uses soccer to explain various aspects of the world, from biology to history, making learning fun and engaging through the lens of the sport.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex subjects like physics and geography through soccer, requiring readers to think critically about how the sport relates to larger world concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about difficult subjects accessible and fun, and it encourages readers to see connections between their hobbies and academic subjects.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love soccer and learning about the world around them.

• The Wild Soccer Bunch, Book 1: Kevin the Star Striker by Joachim Masannek, illustrated by Jan Birck
  • Genre(s): Sports, Adventure, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book follows Kevin and his friends who form a soccer team to challenge the unbeatable girls' team, leading to an exciting and intense match.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex plot with themes of teamwork, rivalry, and perseverance, requiring a higher level of reading comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers thrilling sports action mixed with lessons about teamwork and determination, all wrapped in a compelling narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy action-packed stories and learning about teamwork and sportsmanship.

• King & Kayla and the Case of the Soccer Scheme by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Nancy Meyers
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Kayla and her dog, King, solve a mystery involving a soccer tournament, using clues and teamwork to uncover the truth behind a sneaky scheme.
  • Why this book is challenging: The mystery element adds a layer of cognitive challenge as readers must follow clues and deduce the solution along with the characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also entertaining young readers with a fun and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and soccer fans who love a good mystery.

• Soccer on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Part of the Magic Tree House series, this installment takes Jack and Annie back in time to meet legendary soccer player Pelé in Mexico City during the 1970 World Cup.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines historical events with fantasy elements, challenging readers to differentiate between factual and fictional content.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting adventure that offers a historical glimpse into a significant event in sports history, inspiring passion for both history and soccer.
  • Perfect for: Fans of the Magic Tree House series and young readers interested in both history and sports.

• Frankie's Magic Soccer Ball #1: Frankie vs. the Pirate Pillagers by Frank Lampard
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Frankie and his friends find a magic soccer ball that takes them to play against pirates in a high-stakes soccer match.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces fantasy elements within a sports context, requiring imaginative thinking and understanding of narrative logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantasy, adventure, and sports to keep readers engaged while encouraging imagination and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Young soccer fans who enjoy fantasy adventures and tales of teamwork and bravery.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits while enjoying some awesome soccer books, here are a few fun exercises you can try out. These will not only improve their reading skills but also deepen their love for the game.

• Picture Walk Before Reading
  • What it is: Look through the pictures in the book before starting to read.
  • How it helps: Sets the stage for the story and engages a child’s imagination.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Read and Act
  • What it is: Read a passage and then act it out.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and memory by physically engaging with the content.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the acting more fun and engaging.

• Soccer Word Hunt
  • What it is: Find and write down new soccer-related words from the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary specific to their interests.
  • Tips: Use these new words in daily conversation or in a game context.

• Match Report Summary
  • What it is: After reading a match or game segment, summarize it.
  • How it helps: Encourages focus on key details and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Pretend to be a sports reporter while summarizing to make it more exciting.

• Question Ball
  • What it is: Toss a ball around while asking questions about the book.
  • How it helps: Makes discussion interactive and enhances comprehension.
  • Tips: Start with simple questions and gradually move to more detailed ones.

These exercises are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, ensuring that reading time is eagerly anticipated. Give them a try and watch your young reader's skills and enthusiasm for reading—and soccer—soar!