March Madness: 14 Terrific Books for Young Basketball Fans
by Tom Burns
For elementary or middle school kids who love basketball, it’s hard to stay away from the TV or Internet during March Madness, the NCAA’s annual basketball tournament.
If you want to convince your kid to spend a little less time working on their brackets and a little more time brushing up on their reading, here are 14 books that should grab the interest of any young NBA hopeful.
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I Have a Superpower
Available from:NBA Champion Stephen Curry draws from his experiences as an underdog to deliver an inspirational message for kids. He shows readers how they can use hard work and perseverance to overcome barriers to their goals. This basketball-themed book is perfect for encouraging children to dream big.
(Ages 4 – 7)Also available from: -
Basketball Town
Available from:Maxwell is obsessed with basketball, so he’s thrilled when he wakes up in an alternate universe where everyone plays b-ball all day, every day. He works on his skills and makes his way to the Championship game, where he and his teammates must present a united front to win. Basketball fans will enjoy the game-related lingo and action-packed story.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Pass the Ball, Mo!
Available from:Mo Jackson loves just about every sport out there, even if he’s rarely (or ever) MVP. In Book 3 of Mo’s series, he takes on basketball, in which passing proves to be a challenge when he’s so much shorter than the rest of his teammates. Determined as ever, Mo finds a way.
(Ages 6 – 7)Also available from: -
Basketball Belles
Available from:This heart-pounding nonfiction title goes back in time to the beginning of women’s collegiate basketball through the eyes of Agnes Morley, who was raised on a cattle ranch in New Mexico and sent to Stanford University to “become a lady.” As a guard, Agnes led her team to the W against UC-Berkeley, kicking off a long future of women in basketball.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
The Half-Court Hero
Available from:Eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe are pros at multitasking: specifically, when it comes to solving mysteries and playing sports. In The Half-Court Hero, the dynamic duo can’t help but notice that someone is slowly and secretly restoring their summer league’s rundown court. Who could it be? And how will the team fare in playoffs?
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
Beyond the Game: LeBron James
Available from:Newly independent readers will love this series that spotlights exemplary athletes and their accomplishments on and off the court. From championships to activism, kids will learn about the causes that LeBron James champions and how he uses his position as an athlete and role model to improve the world. If you like this book, check out the other books in this series, including Beyond the Game: Maya Moore.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
MVP #4: The Basketball Blowout
Available from:From the author of the Ballpark Mysteries comes another action-packed series with the MVPs, a group of five coed friends who team up for year-round contests. In the fourth title, the friends are raising money for their basketball tournament while also training. When they find out a peer needs the money more than the team does, how will they respond?
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
Mason Dixon: Basketball Disasters
Available from:Fourth-grader Mason is what some might call disaster-prone, so he’s not thrilled when his parents insist he join the basketball team — and he’s doubly un-thrilled when his dad volunteers to coach. Somehow, Mason isn’t even the worst player on this team of misfits, and soon they’re going up against Mason’s school bully, Dunk. Prepare to cheer hard for the home team.
(Ages 7 – 10)Also available from: -
Hoops: A Graphic Novel
Available from:New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Matt Tavares shares a heartfelt and inspiring story in his debut graphic novel. It’s about a girls’ basketball team in 1975 Indiana with no money, transportation, or jerseys. However, their grit and perseverance took them from one victory to the next. Based on a true story, this book offers a peek into the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and equality in sports.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
Who Is the Man in the Air?: Michael Jordan
Available from:Michael Jordan is undisputedly the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of basketball. His performance during the 1997 NBA finals stands out as an example of his unfailing determination. This action-packed graphic novel retells the game’s events and how Michael Jordan refused to let a mysterious illness keep him from competing. Full-color illustrations and a fast-paced narrative make it a must-read for every basketball fan.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
Who Was Kobe Bryant?
Available from:Young basketball fans can learn about Kobe Bryant, his legacy, awards, and championship moments in this biography. From his draft into the NBA and through 20 seasons with the Lakers, readers will discover how Kobe became a superstar. Easy-to-read text and plenty of illustrations make this an excellent choice for young readers wanting to learn about this legendary player.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
True Legend
Available from:Bestselling sportswriter Lupica introduces us to 15-year-old Drew "True" Robinson, a basketball prodigy and NBA prospect who has let his success go to his head. But when he befriends an angry former basketball star on a local playground, True begins to realize the value of humility and teamwork. A compelling novel filled with dynamic sports sequences that young basketball fans will love.
(Ages 10+)Also available from: -
Strong Inside
Available from:Perry Wallace may not have intended to become a civil rights trailblazer, but that’s what happened when he accepted an offer to play college basketball at Vanderbilt University and personally desegregate the Southeastern Conference. Author Andrew Maraniss doesn’t shy away from presenting the realities that Perry faced at Vanderbilt, making this biography educational and inspiring in more ways than one. For teen and young adult readers, check out Maraniss’ newest, Games of Deception.
(Ages 10+)Also available from: -
The Sixth Man (The Triple Threat 2)
Available from:Book two of The Triple Threat series finds Alex Meyer optimistic about the team’s prospects this season. There’s a new kid on the team, Max Bellotti, and he’s good. Like, really good. But Alex seems to be the only one excited to welcome Max: for one, he’s a freshman stealing the spotlight; for two, he’s openly gay. Tensions on the team escalate to school-board controversy in this socially conscious read that still packs plenty of on-court action.
(Ages 10+)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.