Sports books continue to expand beyond the most common games, giving readers a chance to explore a wide range of activities that appeal to different kinds of athletes. A growing trend is the use of play-by-play writing, which pulls young readers directly into the action and keeps them engaged. Graphics remain important as well, with color photographs and text boxes capturing key moments and providing quick facts. This season also brings several standout titles that librarians should consider for purchase.

Elementary

Abdo, Kenny. Aitana Bonmatí. ISBN 9781098288839.
––––. Erling Haaland. ISBN 9781098288846.
––––. Kylian Mbappé. ISBN 9781098288853.
––––. Lionel Messi. ISBN 9781098288860.
––––. Sam Kerr. ISBN 9781098288877.
––––. Vinícius Jr. ISBN 9781098288884.
ea vol: 32p. (Soccer Biographies). ABDO/Fly! Aug. 2025. Tr $34.22.
Gr 1-3–Each book in this photo-rich series profiles a professional soccer player from their early life through their professional career and highlights their accomplishments, including major awards and game wins. While it does not offer play-by-play accounts of matches, it gives readers a solid sense of each player’s journey and achievements. The writing is simple enough for emerging readers while still offering detail to hold kids’ interest and build their knowledge. The books are filled with colorful action photos that bring the players and their stories to life, with images that emphasize key points in the text. Each book includes a table of contents, a glossary, online resources, and an index. VERDICT A fine series for soccer fans who enjoy lots of photos and accessible information.

Barry, James. Brazil. ISBN 9798889895992.
––––. France. ISBN 9798889896012.
––––. Italy. ISBN 9798889896036.
––––. Uruguay. ISBN 99798889896050.
Olson, Jason. Argentina. ISBN 9798889895985.
––––. England. ISBN 9798889896005.
––––. Germany. ISBN 9798889896029.
––––. Spain. ISBN 9798889896043.
ea vol: 24p. (Creative Sports: World Cup Winners). Creative Company. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 2-4–This series introduces young readers to national soccer teams from around the world, offering a friendly and accessible entry point to the sport. Each book opens with background on the team’s country of origin before moving into its World Cup history, memorable matches, and standout players. The writing is simple and clear, making the content approachable for elementary readers and new soccer fans. Each spread pairs a full-page action photo with one or two short paragraphs, set against bold background colors that add energy to the clean, easy-to-follow layout. While older readers may find the coverage too basic, the wide selection of teams will appeal to kids eager to learn about their favorites. Each title includes quick team facts, a glossary, and an index. VERDICT A strong choice for libraries looking to add inviting, beginner-friendly books on global soccer.

Carlson-Berne, Emma. All-Time Best Soccer Teams. ISBN 9798765668382.
––––. The Story of the World Cup. ISBN 9798765668405.
Krenn, Cara. Best Men’s Soccer Players. ISBN 9798889896043.
––––. Best Women’s Soccer Players. ISBN 9798765668368.
––––. Most Incredible Soccer Moments. ISBN 9798765668399.
––––. World’s Top Soccer Leagues. ISBN 9798765668412.
ea vol: 24p. (Soccer Mania (Lerner Sports Rookie)). Lerner. Aug. 2025. Tr $29.32.
PreS-K–Each book in this simple collection for young soccer fans focuses on a different aspect of the sport, such as famous male and female players, unforgettable moments, and the World Cup. The content is presented through short text boxes of one or two sentences on colorful spreads with soccer ball overlays. Facing pages feature large action photographs that show players in their biggest moments. The writing is clear and simple, making the books easy to follow while still sparking curiosity and encouraging readers to learn more. Each book features a table of contents, a glossary, an index, and a “learn more” section. VERDICT A fine choice for beginning readers who want an introduction to the world’s most popular sport.

Coupé, Jessica. Black Bass. ISBN 9798874505592.
––––. Pike. ISBN 9798874505653.
––––. Trout. ISBN 9798874505714.
Letkeman, Candice. Catfish. ISBN 9798874505622.
––––. Walleye. ISBN 9798874505745.
Ridge, Yolanda. Salmon. ISBN 9798874505684.
ea vol: 24p. (Let’s Go Fishing). Lightbox/AV2. Sept. 2025. Tr $34.27.
Gr 3-5–Readers learn about the defining characteristics of different fish in this attractive series. Historical and contemporary fishing methods and environmental considerations are discussed. Each hapter contains only a few paragraphs of text, making it easy for readers to locate information without feeling overwhelmed. The writing is easy to understand and engaging. While it touches on general fishing concepts, the series does not provide step-by-step instruction or techniques for catching fish. The design is visually appealing, with colorful layouts and plenty of photographs that highlight key facts. Each volume includes a table of contents, a hands-on activity, a quiz, and an index. VERDICT A fine series for readers seeking an overview of the sport but not suited for those looking to improve their fishing skills.

Gish, Ashley. Alpine Skiing. ISBN 9798889895909.
––––. Curling. ISBN 9798889895916.
––––. Figure Skating. ISBN 9798889895923.
––––. Freestyle Skating. ISBN 9798889895930.
––––. Ice Hockey. ISBN 9798889895947.
––––. Luge. ISBN 9798889895954.
––––. Snowboarding. ISBN 9798889895961.
––––. Speed Skating. ISBN 9798889895978.
ea vol: 24p. (Amazing Winter Olympics). Creative Company. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 2-4–This series introduces readers to some Olympic winter sports, offering clear and accessible overviews of each one. The text explains the history of the sport in the Olympics, describes the different events within it, and outlines the equipment athletes use. Each volume also includes a spread spotlighting a prominent athlete in the field. Information is presented in short, engaging sections that give readers a solid sense of the sport without becoming overwhelming. Visually, the layout is modern and appealing, with large, color photos paired with a few sentences of text. Brief side notes provide additional interesting details about the sport, adding variety without cluttering the design. VERDICT A good choice for featuring lesser-covered sports and for young readers interested in the Winter Olympics.

Goldstein, Margaret J. Women’s Professional Soccer. ISBN 9798765668870.
––––. Women’s Professional Tennis. ISBN 9798889895978.
Hammond, Mel. Women’s Professional Basketball. ISBN 9798765668894.
Hill, Anne E. Women’s Professional Fastpitch. ISBN 9798765668900.
––––. Women’s Professional Hockey. ISBN 9798765668887.
Ridge, Yolanda. Women’s Professional Golf. ISBN 9798765668863.
ea vol: 32p. (Women Got Game (Lerner ™ Sports)). Lerner. Aug. 2025. Tr $30.65.
Gr 3-5–These titles will get readers excited about women’s sports by highlighting each sport’s best games, teams, and players. Play-by-play accounts of dramatic moments and upsets make readers feel like they are part of the action, and the writing is strong enough to capture even those unfamiliar with the sport. The text is presented in short paragraphs with rectangular color photos of athletes and events set against multicolored backgrounds. The graphics are clear and effective, but it is the writing that truly makes the books stand out, pulling readers in with vivid descriptions of the action. Each entry includes a table of contents, a glossary, an index, and learn more section. VERDICT Highly recommended purchase for libraries seeking well-written introductions to women’s sports.

Idzikowski, Lisa. Christian Pulisic vs. Clint Dempsey. ISBN 9798765668528.
Roggio, Sarah. Caitlin Clark vs. Cheryl Miller. ISBN 9798765668504.
––––. Christian McCaffrey vs. LaDainian Tomlinson. ISBN 9798765668511.
Stanley, Joe. Jalen Hurts vs. John Elway. ISBN 9798765668535.
––––. James Harden vs. Kobe Bryant. ISBN 9798765668542.
ea vol: 32p. (All-Star Smackdown (Lerner ™ Sports)). Lerner. Aug. 2025. Tr $30.65.
Gr 2-5–The newest titles in this ongoing series deliver high-energy matchups that will captivate sports fans. Each volume pits superstar athletes, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin Durant, and Serena Williams, against another athlete to see who comes out on top. Chapters introduce each player, trace their early lives, highlight major achievements, and present key career statistics. Athletes from a variety of sports, including tennis, basketball, and soccer, are featured, with both male and female competitors represented to broaden the appeal. The writing is clear, concise, and packed with facts that will keep readers engaged. Full-page graphics and vibrant action photos add excitement, making these books especially appealing to reluctant readers. VERDICT A strong choice for sports fans and a great way to hook reluctant readers.

Luke, Andrew. The Chicago Blackhawks. ISBN 9781503870703.
––––. The Montreal Canadiens. ISBN 9781503870680.
––––. The Pittsburgh Penguins. ISBN 9781503870741.
––––. The Toronto Maple Leafs. ISBN 9781503870697.
Strickler, Cheryl. The New York Rangers. ISBN 9781503870734.
Waldendorf, Kurt. The Boston Bruins. ISBN 9781503870710.
––––. The Detroit Red Wings. ISBN 9781503870727.
––––. The Los Angeles Kings. ISBN 9781503870758.
ea vol: 32p. (Professional Hockey Teams). The Child’s World/Stride. Aug. 2025. Tr $35.64.
Gr 3-5–Each book in this high-energy series spotlights one team from the National Hockey League. The titles trace the team’s journey from its early history to the present, highlighting major moments, memorable games, and standout players. The writing is fast-paced and draws readers into the excitement of the sport, making the teams and players feel larger than life. Though written in paragraph form, the lively tone captures attention and keeps readers engaged. Color photographs fill the pages, with text boxes providing extra facts and insights. Several pages feature statistics about key players or the team’s overall performance. Each book includes a table of contents, a glossary, thought-provoking questions, fast facts, a find out more section, and an index. VERDICT An appealing series that will hook hockey fans and keep them turning pages.

Sommer, Nathan. Top 10 Moments in Baseball. ISBN 9798895770610.
––––. Top 10 Moments in Basketball. ISBN 9798895770627.
––––. Top 10 Moments in Football. ISBN 9798895770634.
––––. Top 10 Moments in Gymnastics. ISBN 9798895770641.
––––. Top 10 Moments in Hockey. ISBN 9798895770658.
––––. Top 10 Moments in Soccer. ISBN 9798895770665.
ea vol: 24p. (Top 10 Sports Extremes). Bearport. Aug. 2025. Tr $30.95.
Gr 2-5–These books showcase different sports by highlighting their ten most memorable moments, building excitement as readers count down from number ten to number one. Each entry is described in a play-by-play style that draws readers into the action, supported by photographs that capture the events. Text bubbles add extra details beyond the main descriptions, giving readers more context without overwhelming them. The design is bold, with bright colors and graphics that match the fast-paced writing. Each book includes a table of contents, glossary, index, read more section, learn more online resources, and short bonus descriptions of additional great moments. VERDICT A highly recommended purchase for sports collections.

Whitcomb, Aidan. Why We Love Baseball. ISBN 9781644668023.
––––. Why We Love Basketball. ISBN 9781644668030.
––––. Why We Love Football. ISBN 9781644668047.
––––. Why We Love Hockey. ISBN 9781644668054.
––––. Why We Love Lacrosse. ISBN 9781644668061.
––––. Why We Love Soccer. ISBN 9781644668078.
––––. Why We Love Swimming. ISBN 9781644668085.
––––. Why We Love Tennis. ISBN 9781644668092.
ea vol: 24p. (Why We Love Sports). Black Rabbit/Top Rank. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 2-4–Each book in theses overviews of specific sports begins with a short history before moving into information about competitions and well-known players. The writing is simple and clear, providing introductory details for readers who do not know much about the sport. The standout feature is the visual design—bright, full-page graphics and action photos make these books appealing to browse. Each title includes a table of contents, a glossary, an index, resources for further reading, and a spread of fast facts. While the information is basic, the format makes these books accessible and inviting for readers who are new to the sport. VERDICT This series is a visually appealing addition for libraries looking to provide colorful introductions to popular sports.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Coupé, Jessica. Fencing. ISBN 9781644668092.
––––. Sumo. ISBN 9781644668092.
––––. Triathlon. ISBN 9781644668092.
Ridge, Yolanda. Archery. ISBN 9781644668092.
––––. Pickleball. ISBN 9781644668092.
ea vol: 24p. (For the Love of Sports). Lightbox/AV2. Sept. 2025. Tr $34.27.
Gr 4-6–This series introduces readers to lesser-known sports, such as sumo, fencing, and archery, offering a clear starting point for those unfamiliar with these activities. Each book covers the history of the sport, explains the basic rules, describes how competitions work, and includes a brief fact sheet on notable figures. The writing is clear and informative, aiming to build understanding rather than excitement, which makes it best for readers seeking an overview of the sport. Colorful backgrounds, layered textured graphics, and plentiful photos create an appealing design that supports the text. Each title includes a table of contents, quiz, glossary, and index. VERDICT A solid choice for collections serving readers interested in these rarely covered sports.

This season’s sports books highlight both familiar games and not-so-familiar sports, giving readers a wide range of activities to explore. They balance straightforward overviews with action-driven writing and colorful graphics that will appeal to newcomers and seasoned fans alike. “All-Star Smackdown” (Lerner) remains a standout for its famous player comparisons and dynamic graphic layout. “Top 10 Sports Extremes” (Bearport) is a strong new entry, with its exciting countdown format, play-by-play writing, and colorful pages filled with photos and text bubbles. “Women Got Game” (Lerner) is also an outstanding addition, bringing women’s sports to the forefront with clear graphics and especially vivid writing. While each series this season is worthy of purchase where there is a need, the standouts should be purchased for all collections.

FALL 2025 SERIES MADE SIMPLE REVIEWS