KidCrunch

Are your kids ready for some football? If your kids are football fans, they will love the books on this list of football books for kids and teens:

• T is for Touchdown: A Football Alphabet by Brad Herzog - Packed with facts and richly illustrated, football fans of all ages will enjoy this as a read aloud or elementary reader.
• Kick, Pass, and Run by Leonard Kessler - A classic I Can Read book that provides a simple introduction to football for early readers.
• Miss Nelson Has a Field Day by Harry Allard - In this football story for kids ages 4 to 8, Miss Nelson brings in a substitute to get the Smedley Tornadoes ready for the big game.
• Family Huddle by Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning - This new book was a preseason pick for our family; our youngest kids love Peyton Manning and the rest of us cheer for Eli and the Giants.
• Game Day by Tiki and Ronde Barber - This book gives a welcomed shout-out to blocking backs and the O-line.  A family-oriented book for grades 1 to 3 about brothers sharing the spotlight.
• Tough to Tackle by Matt Christopher - Pick any sport and you will find a great book about it by Matt Christopher. This is one of several football books by Matt Christopher for ages 9 to 12.
• Yes I Can! Struggles from Childhood to the NFL by Neil Smith - An autobiography for kids about NFL Pro-Bowler Neil Smith’s struggles with dyslexia.
• Two Minute Drill (Comeback Kids) by Mike Lupica - A book about sixth grade football and friendship from accomplished sports reporter and kids sports fiction author Mike Lupica.
• Football Genius by Tim Green - The first young adult book from former Atlanta Falcon Tim Green, my kids’ favorite sports book author.  For ages 10 and up.
• Cover Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl by John Feinstein - Two of our favorite genres-suspense and sports fiction-meet at the Super Bowl.  Another great book for sports fans (ages 9 to 12) by sports writer John Feinstein.
• Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - A perfect read for teenage girls (grades 6 to 9) who want to play on the football team and date a quarterback.
• Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp - A senior linebacker comes of age in the football-loving hill country of Oklahoma.  For readers grade 8 and up.
• Gym Candy by Carl Deuker - A sobering young adult sports book about the lure and dangers of steroids through the eyes of high school football player Mick Johnson.

Buy these football books and other great kids books through Amazon.

Related Posts:

• Sports Movies for Kids
• Newbery Award-Winning Books for Boys
• Fatheads are Everywhere!

Others may have their names in the record books, but Hank Aaron is the only “Home Run King” who is a hero in our house.  Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs and was a tremendous all-around ballplayer, but what makes him a role model is the strength, determination and class he has exhibited throughout his life.

I love the book Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way, which was written by Peter Golenbock and wonderfully illustrated by Paul Lee.  I was the Mystery Reader today for my son’s second grade class and chose this book because in our suburban Atlanta town, kids are already playing baseball and they all love the Braves.  It is also relevant because Hank Aaron was born in February - which is Black History Month - and as today’s hitters are tainted by steroids, Hank Aaron’s achievements seem even more impressive.  The kids enjoyed the book and hopefully learned something about a truly heroic slugger.

Older kids will also appreciate ESPN’s biographical video SportsCentury Greatest Athletes: Hank Aaron.  The interviews and game footage in this video show Hank Aaron’s greatness as a ballplayer and strength as a person.

Find biographies of Hank Aaron and other heroes at the KidCrunch Store.

Everyone loves Fatheads, those huge, lifelike action shots of sports stars that you can stick on your walls.  Even parents like them because you can stick them up and peel them off without damaging the wall.

Fatheads are a bit pricey (about $100 for a lifesized Tom Brady, for example) but they can completely transform a room, making it instantly cool.

Now there is a ‘mini’ version of Fatheads, called Fathead Tradeables.  These are 5″x7″ peel and stick images that are sold like trading cards, five to a pack.  At less than $15 per pack, these have become a hot gift among my kids and their sports-loving friends.  NFL Tradeables are available now and other sports are sure to follow.

Shop for Fathead NFL Tradeables at the KidCrunch Store.

My kids love sports and love to watch movies about sports.  As a parent, I love sports movies that are both entertaining and inspirational.  Following is our list of ten great sports movies for kids:

1. Rookie of the Year (PG)  12 year old boy breaks arm and becomes ace pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
2. Air Bud (PG)  Disney favorite about hoops-playing Golden Retriever.
3. The Mighty Ducks (PG)  Emilio Estevez stars as coach of a pee wee hockey team.
4. The Sandlot (PG)  Funny film about local pals playing sandlot baseball in 1960s.
5. The Karate Kid (PG)  New kid in town learns karate and life lessons from mentor Miyagi.
6. The Rookie (G)  Inspirational true story starring Dennis Quaid as a teacher/coach who makes it to the big leagues.
7. A League of Their Own* (PG)  Star-filled movie about an all-girl professional baseball team in 1943.
8. Rudy* (PG)  Rudy chases his impossible dream to play football for Notre Dame.
9. Hoosiers* (PG)  Classic sports movie about Indiana high school basketball starring Gene Hackman.
10. Remember the Titans* (PG)  Denzel Washington stars as a high school football coach guiding his team through racial tension in 1971.

* Suitable for older kids.

Shop for these and other great sports movies at the KidCrunch Store.

Join the discussion.  Post some comments about your favorite sports movies.