The game of football is a true American pastime. Little kids grow up watching football with the family. The nostalgia around football permeates American society, having entertained millions since 1869 when the first game was played between Rutgers and Princeton. People of all ages love reading and learning about football. These 28 football books will capture the hearts of all readers from preschool to adulthood.
Preschool Books
1. Little Football by Brad Herzog
This book introduces the basics of football to young readers with rhyming riddles and colorful illustrations. Parents will love reading this book with their future football stars.
Learn More: Amazon
2. My First Football Book by Union Square Kids
This toddler board book introduces vocabulary associated with football to help kids learn the game and its terminology. Each page focuses on one word with pictures to help kids visualize and learn.
Learn More: Amazon
3. Let's Play Football! by Ginger Swift
This is a lift-a-flap book for interactive football fun for toddlers. The book introduces key elements of the game while also focusing on good sportsmanship. Each page is colorful and the board book is durable.
Learn More: Amazon
4. The Sleepiest Football Fan: A Little Book About The Big Game by Josh DeAugustine and Luke Holizna
Dads will love reading this popular children's book to their football fanatic at home. Football parties are great, but sleepy fans can't stay awake for the big game unless Dad saves the big day!
Learn More: Amazon
Elementary School Books
5. Football Biographies For Kids by Paragon Publishing
This is a great book for your young reader to learn all about the history of football and famous football players. With 25 biographies of the greatest football players, avid football fans will become football experts.
Learn More: Amazon
6. All About Football by Matt Doeden
This book helps budding fans learn more about the beautiful game of football. Each page explains positions and rules in a fan-friendly way.
Learn More: Amazon
7. Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes by Don Tate
This book narrates the true story of Ernie Barnes. Ernie Barnes' first love was art, but growing up as an African-American in the 1930s, he didn't have much opportunity to practice his art skills so he turns to the football lifestyle.
Learn More: Amazon
8. Coach Canine and the P.E. Pups: A Physical Education Lesson About Football by Cherisse Thompson
This book narrates the true story of Ernie Barnes. Ernie Barnes' first love was art, but growing up as an African-American in the 1930s, he didn't have much opportunity to practice his art skills so he turns to the football lifestyle.
Learn More: Amazon
9. Football Fugitive by Matt Christopher
This mystery is a great way to introduce dedicated football fans to how bad choices outside of sports can impact athletes. Larry, a football star, is alienated from football after getting into a fight and going to court.
Learn More: Amazon
10. Football Fraud by Jake Maddox
This is another book that highlights the possible negative outcomes that can happen in the world of sports. DeSean costs his team the game after showing off in the end zone. Rather than facing the embarrassment, he fakes an injury, but how long can he keep up the façade?
Learn More: Amazon
11. Between the Lines by Sandra Neil Wallace
This true story is similar to Pigskins to Paintbrushes, but it is written for an older audience. Again detailing the life of Ernie Barnes, this book includes pictures from Ernie himself as well as more details of his inspirational journey in art and football.
Learn More: Amazon
12. Brain Blitz by David Lawrence
This book focuses on teaching kids about injuries. After Tony gets hit during a game, he isn't acting normal. Tony's friend wants him to talk to the coach but is hesitant to get involved.
Learn More: Amazon
Middle School and High School Books
13. Go Long! by Ronde Barber
Middle school football is definitely not like pee wee football. After Ronde and Tiki get a new coach and have trouble fitting in on the team, their season isn't off to a great start, but the boys will need to learn that the team is greater than themselves.
Learn More: Amazon
14. Before the Ever After by Jaqueline Woodson
This award-winning book is about ZJs dad, who is a former football star, but things at home aren't going well. His dad can't remember things and he becomes increasingly angry. ZJ knows that his dad is acting this way because of the head trauma from football, but that doesn't make it any easier for ZJ to cope.
Learn More: Amazon
15. Kneel by Candace Buford
Russell is an African-American football player in a small town in Louisiana. After his best friend is unfairly kicked off the team, Russell decides to fight back. He kneels during the National Anthem and quickly becomes a town enemy. Will he find his way back through injustice and racism?
Learn More: Amazon
16. Triple Threat by Mike Lupica
Alex is the only girl on her football team, and she knows it won't be easy--but should it be this hard? The boys do everything they can to deter Alex, but she must decide if playing on the team is worth facing and overcoming the adversity.
Learn More: Amazon
17. Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
Andrew is a teenage boy who doesn't fit in. He is overweight, he has a difficult home life, and high school is a nightmare. Andrew copes by eating, but he will have to go on a journey of self-discovery after he joins the football team.
Learn More: Amazon
18. Game Change by Joseph Monninger
Zeb likes to take the easiest path to success. He's 17 and he's perfectly content riding the bench, but one week before the most important game of the season, the starting QB is injured. Zeb must step up and lead the team to victory, but can he?
Learn More: Amazon
19. Payback Time by Carl Deuker
Mitch is on a mission to find a great story for his school newspaper, and the mysterious new kid, Angel, might just be his ticket. Mitchell has seen Angel's athletic talent off the field, but Angel doesn't show it on the field. Mitch is determined to find out why in this football fiction book.
Learn More: Amazon
20. Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
Mick is a running back for the football team and he wants to be the best...at everything. In an effort to be better than the best, he takes steroids. Mick will have to deal with the fallout and the pressures of high-level sports in this football thriller.
Learn More: Amazon
21. Muckers by Sandra Neil Wallace
This is a historical fiction novel by former ESPN sportscaster, Sandra Neil Wallace. Felix lives in a mining town, but all that is about to change is when the mine is about to close. In its last season ever, Felix, the quarterback, must lead the team to victory.
Learn More: Amazon
22. Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones
Brian lives in the shadow of his renowned father, who was on the last championship football team in Troy--and that team happened to be undefeated. Now it's Brian's turn at football fame, but can he handle the pressure?
Learn More: Amazon
23. Deal Breaker by Harlen Coben
Myron is a sports agent looking to make a name for himself. Christian is an up-and-coming football rookie. Myron and Christian could make each other's careers, but Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend that threatens everything--because everyone thought she was dead.
Learn More: Amazon
24. Backfield Boys by John Feinstein
Jason and Tom are best friends and teammates, but they are football opposites. Jason is Jewish and Tom is African-American. Jason is fast and can catch the ball. Tom can throw the ball and knows the football plays. But when they join the football team, the boys must fight racial prejudice after Jason is made a quarterback and Tom is made a running back.
Learn More: Amazon
25. Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
Felton just went through puberty and became stupid fast. He joins the football team, but he's not really sure where his unpopular former self fits into the jock trope. With problems with girls and problems at home, Felton isn't really sure football is for him.
Learn More: Amazon
High School/Adult Books
26. Bleachers by John Grisham
Neely was one of Messina's best football players ever--maybe THE best, but it's 15 years later, and his coach has passed away. Neely and his teammates return to pay tribute to their former coach, but they will recount memories that make Neely face his past so that he can have a future.
Learn More: Amazon
27. Sidelined by Kara Bietz
Julian is doing everything he can to earn a football scholarship to get out of his small Texan town, but when his alienated best friend returns after three years, he finds himself caught between his former friend, football, and his own feelings.
Learn More: Amazon
28. The Game's Not Over: In Defense of Football by Gregg Easterbrook
From concussion debates, athlete safety protocols, domestic violence scandals, and money controversies, American football has faced criticism, but Easterbrook addresses the issues within football and exposes how the football industry is really a microcosm of American society.
Learn More: Amazon
20 Teacher Recommended Berenstain Bear Books