Huddle Up and Read: 10 Books About Football for Kids
by Keith Rice
Football, like all sports, provides great opportunities to teach kids to be active, learn the value of teamwork, and develop confidence. It’s also a great way to have to fun and make new friends. If you have a football-obsessed kid at home, there’s no better way to encourage them to read than introducing them to a few books about the sport they love. There are plenty of fantastic stories ranging from picture books to young adult reads that not only tap into the love of the sport, but also help kids understand the importance of playing by the rules and being safe.
Here are a few of our favorites books about football for children and teens.
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Football With Dad
Available from:After watching the big game on TV every Sunday, a boy and his dad head outside to throw around a football like their favorite players. With its emphasis on playing safe and having fun, Football With Dad is the perfect way to introduce your little reader to the game of football.
(Ages 2 – 5)Also available from: -
Don’t Throw It to Mo!
Available from:This award-winning picture book centers on Mo, the youngest and smallest kid on his football team. While his teammates don’t mind Mo’s size and age, the other teams constantly taunt him for being too small to catch the ball. Fortunately, his coach has big plans for Mo in the next game.
(Ages 6 – 7)Also available from: -
Bones and the Football Mystery
Available from:Jeffrey Bones — Detective Jeffrey Bones, that is — is thrilled to spend the day at a football game with his grandpa and Grandpa’s friend Sally. But when Grandpa loses his lucky hat, will Bones be able to track it down in time to save the game?
(Ages 6 – 8)Also available from: -
MVP #3: The Football Fumble
Available from:With the big game coming up, the MVP kids couldn’t be more excited, at least until they get a look at who they’re playing — the big, tough-looking kids from Hamilton Elementary School. The MVP kids know, though, that heart, perseverance, and effort are the real keys to winning even in the face of a really tough opponent.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
The Football Fiasco
Available from:The third installment of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries sees the preteen, sports-loving sleuths swinging into action when they discover the recess football has been deflated. As the twins try to figure out what happened to the ball, Zach and Zoe learn important lessons about fairness, friendship, and being mindful of others’ feelings.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
Who Is Tom Brady?
Available from:This list wouldn't be complete without a book about the greatest football quarterback of all time. This inspiring story chronicles Tom Brady's journey and the victories that lead to becoming a seven-time Super Bowl champion.
Also available from: -
Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football
Available from:Howard Bryant examines the most popular sport in America, including the greatest players, teams, and moments in NFL history. Filled with iconic photos, top ten lists, and details on 20 of the greatest Super Bowls ever played, this perfect for every football-obsessed middle grade reader.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
What Is the Super Bowl?
Available from:If you’ve got a reader in the household who’s been counting down the days until the next Super Bowl ¬— or even one who doesn’t get what all the fuss is about — hand them this star-studded history of the long-standing championship, featuring fascinating stats, stories, and photos from the game of all games.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
The League
Available from:Tired of bullies and being ignored by girls, Wyatt Parker sees football as a way to turn his life around and toughen up. Unfortunately, his parents expect him to play golf. But his older brother has an idea: Wyatt can lie to his parents and join a secretive rogue football league. Will Wyatt, who has always played by the rules, break a few? Will he be able to deal with the consequences?
(Ages 10+)Also available from: -
The Walk On
Available from:Alex Meyers is new to town, and one thing’s for sure: he’s got a heck of a better arm than his school’s reigning quarterback. But there’s just one problem: the quarterback is also the coach’s son. After Alex finally gets a chance to shine, his drug test results come back positive for steroids. Is someone trying to get him kicked off the team?
Looking for more Feinstein football stories? Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl follows two teen sportswriters as they try to break the biggest sports story of the year.
(Ages 10+)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2024.