Girls today are stepping onto courts, fields and tracks with more confidence than ever. A new wave of children’s literature celebrates that bold spirit, shining a spotlight on female athletes who won championships and smashed records. Here are six titles that empower girls to be fearless in sports — and inspire everyone who picks them up.
1. “The Kicks” Series
“The Kicks” series by Alex Morgan and Paula Franco serves middle‑grade soccer drama and life lessons. Beginning with “Saving the Team,” the series follows Devin Burke as she joins a new U‑12 club and navigates rookie jitters. She rallies her teammates toward victory along the way. Morgan’s real‑life soccer experience and Franco’s energetic cover art fuel seven sequels — Sabotage Season, Win or Lose, and more. Each book tackles themes of teamwork, confidence, and comeback goals.
2. “Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History”
“Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History” by Molly Schiot and Neal Layton takes readers on a journey through the lives of female athletes who rewrote the rules long before social media and sponsorships. Through compelling storytelling, Schiot highlights trailblazers like Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Althea Gibson. These pioneers helped shape sports history, though their names too often faded from public memory. The book is both a 320-page coffee-table showpiece and a powerful narrative. It reminds girls that every record-breaking moment began with someone who refused to play by others’ rules.
3. “She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game”
Chelsea Clinton’s “She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game” is the third installment in the bestselling “She Persisted” series. Penguin Random House released the 40-page picture book in January 2019. It profiles 13 Olympians — including gymnast Simone Biles and swimmer Diana Nyad — who overcame doubters, injuries and institutional barriers to succeed.
4. “Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson
In “Roller Girl,” 12‑year‑old Astrid signs up for roller derby camp and finds a new tribe of friends who skate, clash and cheer each other on. Jamieson paints every jam session in bright, dynamic panels that thrum with punk‑rock energy. Astrid’s journey — from wobbly first laps to triumphant power jams — captures the ups and downs of learning a new sport.
5. “Little People, BIG DREAMS: Billie Jean King”
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara’s “Little People, BIG DREAMS: Billie Jean King” brings the tennis legend’s story to life through 32 pages of vibrant art and storytelling. Published in 2020, the book follows King’s journey from backyard lessons to five Grand Slam titles. It also covers her iconic “Battle of the Sexes” victory and her ongoing fight for equality in sports.
6. “Strong Is the New Pretty”
Photographer Kate T. Parker transformed her viral project “Strong Is the New Pretty” into a powerful photo-essay that celebrates girls in their full, fearless glory. Released by Workman Publishing on March 7, 2017, the 250-page book showcases candid portraits of girls climbing, skateboarding, lifting, and racing. Each bold image comes with a simple but striking caption: “Strong is the new pretty.”
These six titles do more than feature girls in sports — they celebrate their resilience and game-changing courage. Each time a girl opens one of these books, she steps into a story that cheers her on, pushes her limits and honors every bold move she makes.
Why do you think it’s important for girls to see themselves represented in sports books? Comment below!
