Staff Picks
Take the Field! Football Novels for Children
- Jenny D.
- Wednesday, September 08, 2021
Collection
Who's ready for some football? If you just can't get enough gridiron action to satisfy your love of the game, take a look at these novels featuring plenty of pigskin!
Go Long!
Published in 2008
When Coach Spangler leaves at the start of their second year of junior high school, thirteen-year-old twins Tiki and Ronde wonder if his replacement, history teacher Mr. Wheeler, can coach the Eagles to another winning football season.
Goal Line
Published in 2011
When identical twin brothers Ronde and Tiki Barber grow at different rates the summer before their last year at Hidden Valley Junior High, their relationship both on and off the football field changes.
Wild Card
Published in 2009
Through the course of a difficult season, Ronde learns that his coach is right about football being a mental game, as he tries to fill in as kicker while he and his identical twin, Tiki, help Adam improve his grades.
The Fast and the Furriest
Published in 2010
The overweight and unathletic son of a famous former football star discovers that his equally fat and lazy dog is unexpectedly--and obsessively--interested in competing in dog agility contests.
Quarterback Rush
Published in 2015
The Otters keep leaving their game on the practice field and losing their football games--so wide receiver Steve Michaels must overcome his own frustrations and help Aaron Corbin, his quarterback, get past his fears and play like the champion can be.
Touchdown Trouble
Published in 2009
Sam is proud that his touchdown in the final play of a game left his football team undefeated, but when a video recording of the game reveals that the touchdown was scored illegally, he and the other Cowboys must decide whether to reveal the truth. Includes facts about a similar situation faced by Cornell University's team after a game with Dartmouth in 1940.
The Dog That Stole Football Plays
Published in 2010
A boy and his psychic dog are able to steal plays from the opposing football team.
Love of the Game
Published in 2011
Sixth-grader Jackson has a rough start in middle school, with bullies on the bus, few classes with his friends, and changes at home but some good teachers, meeting a girl, joining a club, and playing football soon turn things around.
Cover-up
[mystery at the Super Bowl]
Published in 2007
Fledgling fourteen-year-old sports reporters Susan Carol and Stevie investigate suspicious activities at the Super Bowl after Stevie gets fired from his co-anchor job on a ground-breaking teen sports show.
The Gollywhopper Games
Friend or Foe
Published in 2015
Zane thinks about little but football until after his second concussion, when his parents say he must take a year off, so when he gets a chance to compete in the Gollywhopper Games he is excited about applying many of the skills that help him excel on the football field to a different kind of competition.
First Team
Published in 2014
"The companion novel to New Kid, where Brock is in another new town after being on the run with his dad again, and this time, he joins the football team"-- Provided by publisher.
Football Genius
A Novel
Published in 2008
Troy White's middle school football team doesn't see that he has an unusual gift of predicting future plays with an almost supernatural accuracy. But as a second-string quarterback, Troy can only watch from the bench as the coach's son plays. To make matters worse, his beloved team, the Atlanta Falcons, is tanking. When Troy's mother is hired to work for the Falcons, Troy's fortunes, both on and off the field, begin to change.
Football Hero
Published in 2008
When twelve-year-old Ty's brother Thane is recruited out of college to play for the New York Jets, their Uncle Gus uses Ty to get insider information for his gambling ring, landing Ty and Thane in trouble with the mafia.
Game Changer
Published in 2018
While thirteen-year-old Teddy fights for his life after a football injury at training camp, his friends and family gather to support him and discuss events leading to his coma. Told through dialogue, text messages, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy's inner thoughts.-- Provided by Publisher.
Coach Hyatt is a Riot!
Published in 2009
A new football coach arrives at school and, with help from an unexpected new team member, the Moose win a game.
The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse
From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye
Published in 2000
When hired by a fellow fourth-grader to find her missing brother, Chet Gecko uncovers a plot involving a Gila monster's revenge upon the school football team.
This Gum for Hire
From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye
Published in 2002
To save his own skin, private eye Chet Gecko sets out to solve the mystery of Emerson Hicky Elementary School's disappearing football players.
The Football Fumble
Published in 2016
"The team from Hamilton Elementary School seems bigger and--even worse--just plain mean. Taking on a tough opponent is never easy. Will this bully blitz keep the MVPs off their game? Or can they find a way to huddle together and win the day?"-- Provided by publisher.
Yard War
Published in 2015
Twelve-year-old Trip Westbrook lives in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1964 and discovers the underlying racism in his family and neighborhood when he invites his maid's son Dee to play football in the yard.
The Zucchini Warriors
Published in 1988
Roommates Bruno and Boots find obstacles in their way as they attempt to lead the Macdonald Hall Zucchini Warriors to a victorious football season and earn the reward of a new recreation center.
Tackling Dad
Published in 2005
When Cassie tries out for the middle school football team, she faces unexpected opposition from her father, a former professional football player.
Game Changers
Published in 2012
When the coach's son, Shawn O'Brien, is chosen to play quarterback, eleven-year-old Ben McBain is not surprised--but when he tries to be a good teammate and help the inconsistent Shawn, he is startled to learn that his new friend does not really want the position.
Game Changers. Play Makers
Published in 2013
Starting the basketball season after their football championship, Ben McBain and his crew are challenged by newcomer Chase Braggs, whose point guard abilities outstrip Ben's and who attracts Lily's attention while Ben is busy practicing.
Million-dollar Throw
Published in 2009
Eighth-grade star quarterback Nate Brodie's family is feeling the stress of the troubled economy, and Nate is frantic because his best friend Abby is going blind, so when he gets a chance to win a million dollars if he can complete a pass during the halftime of a New England Patriot's game, he is nearly overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed.
Two-minute Drill
Published in 2007
Brainy Scott, a great kicker who otherwise struggles with football, and star quarterback Chris, who has dyslexia, team up to help each other succeed in both football and school.
The Underdogs
Published in 2011
Small but fast twelve-year-old Will Tyler, an avid football player in the down-and-out town of Forbes, Pennsylvania, takes matters into his own hands to try and finance the city's football team, giving the whole community hope in the process.
The Extra Yard
Published in 2016
"Teddy has been training all summer with his new friends Jack and Gus to make the new travel football team in Walton, but when his long-absent dad comes back to town and into his life he is faced with a much bigger challenge"-- Provided by publisher.
Fantasy League
Published in 2014
In Los Angeles, twelve-year-old Charlie's skill at fantasy football gains the attention of both the local media and the owner of a professional football team.
Fantasy League
Published in 2014
In Los Angeles, twelve-year-old Charlie's skill at fantasy football gains the attention of both the local media and the owner of a professional football team.
The Football Fiasco
Published in 2018
"Zach and Zoe find their recess football deflated from a hole near the laces, and set off in search of clues to discover how it happened"-- Provided by publisher.
Last Man out
Published in 2016
Twelve-year-old Tommy Gallagher, the bravest and toughest football player on the field, faces his biggest battle ever when his father, a Boston firefighter, is fatally injured while rescuing a child.
Last Man out
Published in 2016
Twelve-year-old Tommy Gallagher, the bravest and toughest football player on the field, faces his biggest battle ever when his father, a Boston firefighter, is fatally injured while rescuing a child.
Lone Stars
Published in 2017
When Coach Coop, a former star player for the Dallas Cowboys, starts exhibiting side effects from the many concussions he suffered while playing professionally, twelve-year-old wide receiver Clay Hollis becomes determined to help him get through the football season until Thanksgiving, when Coach plans to attend a ceremony honoring him and his former Super Bowl-winning teammates.
Home-field Football
Published in 2013
When his mother's job forces them to move to a rural area, Mason joins the Clearwater Middle School football team and finds that it will be up to him to teach them how to win.
Control Freak
Published in 2017
Steve prepares to spend the football season on the bench, but when he and his friends come into possession of a device that seems to control people, he plans to use it to get a little more involved in the game.
Just My Rotten Luck
Published in 2015
Rafe heads back to the place his misadventures began: the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, where he's now being forced to take "special" classes. He also finds himself joining the school's football team--alongside his main tormentor, Miller the Killer! But Rafe has grand plans for a better year: First, he decides to start a super-secret art project that's sure to rock the school. Then, if Rafe manages to make a play to save his team, he might have to deal with something completely new: popularity!
Just My Rotten Luck
Published in 2015
Rafe Khatchadorian's new year at middle school is starting to look depressingly like the old one, except that art class is going well--and when he joins the flag-football team and demonstrates some talent as a running-back, he discovers a way of dealing with his bullying nemesis and teammate, Miller the Killer.
A Whole New Ball Game
Published in 2014
When their father takes a new job as a Texas high school football coach, twelve-year-old twins, Alex and Ava, face challenges adjusting to their new home and school which might compromise their sisterly bond.
Making the Team
Published in 2013
A mysterious private school has opened in town and Nick, Carter, and Angelo join forces with their rivals Angie, Tiffany, and Dana to uncover the mystery behind the school's inhumanly good football team.
Revenge of the Bully
A How to Beat the Bully Novel
Published in 2014
Rodney Rathbone tries to live up to his reputation as a reluctant hero when he earns a spot on his school football team--along with his arch-nemesis--while trying to regain his girlfriend Jessica's trust and survive his mother's new job as the restaurant reviewer for a local paper.
The Roar of the Crowd
Published in 2004
After years of playing nothing but soccer in Hudson City, New Jersey, Manny has to work very hard to play on the middle school football team, using determination, speed, and smarts to make up for being small and inexperienced. Manny's starting his first football season with the Hudson City Hornets, and he's determined to get in the game and not warm the bench. Problem is, Manny's not a big guy, and when he tries to tackle the offense, he's the one who ends up on the ground. Coach isn't too pleased, especially when the team starts losing. But Manny refuses to give up; he's as tough as anyone out there and he's fast. He's got the season to prove to Coach, his teammates, and himself that he has the talent to earn the roar of the crowd.
The Rookie Bookie
A Novel
Published in 2014
"When seventh-grader Mitch Sloan moves to Jonasburg, Indiana, he uses his exceptional skills in math, money, and sports statistics to make friends--but gets in over his head when he starts a football betting ring"-- Provided by publisher.
The Rookie Bookie
Published in 2014
When seventh-grader Mitch Sloan moves to Jonasburg, Indiana, he uses his exceptional skills in math, money, and sports statistics to make friends--but gets in over his head when he starts a football betting ring.
Before the Ever After
Published in 2020
ZJ's friends Ollie, Darry and Daniel help him cope when his father, a beloved professional football player, suffers severe headaches and memory loss that spell the end of his career.