Fast Five Fiction: Sports Fiction

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Our summer reading theme this year is Adventure Begins at your Library and we've got a ton of great books for readers of all ages. Each week we're adventuring through a different genre in children's department. With the Summer Olympics kicking off this week we've been focusing on Sports Fiction, here's a small sampling of all the sports books in the children's department.   

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads. 

Track series by Jason Reynolds

Race through Jason Reynolds’s New York Times bestselling Track series.

Ghost. Patina. Sunny. Lu. A fast but fiery group of kids from wildly different backgrounds, chosen to compete on an elite track team. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves. Discover each of their stories in Jason Reynolds’s bestselling Track series.

Super Sports Society by Bryan Chick

Two best friends. One spot on the baseball team. And a giant, looming, SMELLY turd tank. What could possibly go wrong? This is the first illustrated chapter book in a laugh-out-loud funny series told in dual point-of-view that's about friendship, teamwork, and the occasional fart joke. PFFFT . Fans of The Last Kids on Earth, Big Nate, and The Secret Zoo will love The Super Sports Society.

Eleven-year-old Tommy has dreamed of being on the Bulldogs sports team forever. The Bulldogs eat, breathe, and fart sports. They’re part of the elusive Super Sports Society in his hometown, and Tommy knows that if he makes the team, he’ll be set up for life.

Meanwhile, Pel would rather be at home gaming in the air conditioning, but his mom decided that he has to “be a role model” to his little siblings (ugh!), and now he’s trying out for the Bulldogs too. At least that means the two BFFs won’t be in competition for the spot . . . right? ( Wrong .)

Join Pel; Tommy; the owner of a pickle store, Pete; a supercool girl named Clutch; a coach who wears sunglasses inside; and the rest of the Bulldogs sports team in this epically awesome illustrated book that’s packed with tons of laugh-out-loud moments.

But be warned—this book is based on a true story. Do NOT eat this many sunflower seeds at home . . . trust us.

Local Legends series by Lane Walker

Experience exciting sports stories with a purpose! The Local Legends books teach valuable life lessons through exciting sports stories. Kids will love the characters and stories that will stick with them long after they've turned the last page. Make reading a fun and enriching experience for your child!

Sports included in the bundle: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Soccer
Life Lessons Taught In Book:

Book 1: Resilience, adversity, believe in yourself.
Book 2: Humility, teamwork, forgiveness.
Book 3: Perseverance, Effort, Faith over Fear
Book 4: Self-confidence, Believing in yourself
Book 5: Aversion to peer pressure, open-mindedness

Mike Lupica books

Michael Lupica is an author and former American newspaper columnist. He first came to prominence as a sportswriters and through appearances on ESPN before becoming an author. He writes books for both children and adults on a wide range of sports. 

King of the Bench series by Steve Moore

From the nationally syndicated cartoonist of "In the Bleachers" comes a new, highly illustrated middle grade series about Steve, who plays the same position in every sport: bench-warmer. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure, King of the Bench is an ode to teammates, underdogs, and bench-warmers everywhere.

Steve is King of the Bench. No brag. It's just a fact. But this year, Steve and his friends are excited to try out for the Spiro T. Agnew Middle School baseball team. The only problem is, after watching another player get beaned by a fastball, Steve has developed a serious case of bean-o-phobia--the fear of getting hit by a pitch. If Steve ever wants to get off the bench and get in the game, he's going to have to muster up some courage, and fast.

Oh, and if you're wondering why Steve would write a book and tell total strangers all about the humiliating phobia that almost ruined his first year on the baseball team? Duh. It's pretty much a rule that you spill your guts when you write a book about yourself.

Happy Friday and happy reading!