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The year the narrator’s grandma was born, Negro League great Josh Gibson hit a baseball so hard it went all the way from Pittsburgh and landed in Philadelphia! No surprise then that Grandmama learns to play baseball just like Josh Gibson. Warm and expressive illustrations depict this nostalgic saga of two heroes — Gibson and Grandmama.

Young sports fans can get the latest scoop in an appealing format loaded with full color, action packed photographs. Based on the magazine for adults, SI for Kids will be appreciated most by more sophisticated readers.

Chuck throws caution to the wind, along with safety rules, when he rides on his spiffy new red motorcycle. That is, until he’s brought back to reality by a highway patrol officer! Lively, alliterative language and realistic illustrations combine for this funny cautionary tale.

At just over 5 feet tall, no one thought Mamie Johnson, also known as “Peanut” because of her size, would become a baseball star. But she sure could pitch! The author collaborated with the actual Mamie Johnson to tell the riveting — and real — story of how Peanut Johnson became one of three women to play professionally in the Negro Baseball League.

Trudy Ederle loved to swim and was determined to be the best. Through hard work and determination she became the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Lou Gehrig played 2130 consecutive games for the Yankees (a record that stood until Cal Ripkin many years later). His story as a baseball great is told simply and with humility, reflecting the man himself. As his health deteriorated, Gehrig gave his farewell to a filled Yankee Stadium, declaring he was indeed the “luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

A portrait of a true American sports hero, Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play on a major league baseball team.

Exploring its history, geography, climate, and culture, this unique book takes readers on the ultimate adventure of climbing Mount Everest.

The most celebrated black cowboy was Bill Pickett, a fearless rodeo star with a knack for taming bulls that brought the crowds to their feet. The closing note in this book provides an overview of the history of rodeos and black cowboys.

Ernest Thayer’s now-classic ballad about Mudville’s mighty slugger has been newly and magnificently illutrated by Christopher Bing. The story is rendered as though it had been newly discovered in a hundred-year-old scrapbook. A Caldecott Honor Book.

It is Grandpa’s sage advice that helps Gus overcome his fear and play the best game of basketball he can. Gus learns to play on the court just like when he practices in Grandpa’s driveway. The gentle tone of the story is reflected in the illustrations to tell a tale that rings true. (Look for other Gus and Grandpa stories by Claudia Mills.)

T.J. narrates the story of how he and his brother, nicknamed the Moondance Kid, become friends with Mop. Even after the boys are adopted they remain friends, though they worry about Mop – will she be adopted, too? A surprise ending which involves their shared love of baseball allows the children’s friendship to continue in this enjoyable novel.

This illustrated vignette from the career of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues, depicts his strength and that of his teammate Pee Wee Reese, who stood together against the prejudice of both fans and players. This powerful story makes the life and times of Robinson come alive for younger readers.

The title song “Camp Granada” (also known as “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah”) is just one of the melodies in this songbook, which includes old favorites as well as lesser known sing-along camp songs. The book is filled with colorful, childlike illustrations that chronicle a group of kids getting on a yellow bus to go from the city to a camp in the country. Small illustrations that look like photographs assure young readers that the memories made at camp are happy ones.

Katie is afraid of swimming and the creatures that may lurk in the pool. But with the help of an astute swimming teacher, Katie learns to swim across the pool. She and her parents are so proud, and now Katie can’t wait to go to her friends’ birthday party – at the pool! Children will readily see themselves in the lighthearted illustrations.

When Zigby the Zebra receives a tent from his aunt Zandra, he and his friends decide to camp out in the deepest, darkest part of the jungle. When they’re frightened, cold, and hungry, they gladly accept Ella the Elephant’s offer to come home and have dinner. Zigby then finishes his campout in the safety of his own backyard. Bold color and strong line add humor to this recognizable story.

Where and how the Olympics began is explored in this factual companion to Hour of the Olympics (in the Magic Tree House fantasy series in which siblings Annie and Jack time travel). The informational book stands alone or can augment the novel (for 6-9 year olds) as they explore the origins of the Olympics.

Visit Guadalajara, Mexico and live for a day in the life of a Mexican horseman during the celebration known as el día del charro. In this photo-essay, Ancona discusses the training necessary to become a charro or a charra.

Annie and Jack travel back in time to the first Olympic games to retrieve a lost story, in this Magic Tree House story. There they learn a lot about what girls were — and were not — permitted to do in Ancient Greece.

Arthur and the other kids in Mr. Ratburn’s class take a field trip to a Middle Ages fair where there’s competitions and games from the period. Arthur and the others vie with students from another school to uphold their honor in this longer chapter book, which is just as satisfying as the Arthur picture books.

Little Rat really doesn’t want to start the lessons her parents have arranged; she’s afraid of sailing! But with the help of an amiable instructor, Little Rat overcomes her fear and learns not only to sail, but to enjoy it as well.

Jesse Owens was a breakthrough athlete – an African American who captured the world stage (and four gold medals!) at the 11th Olympiad in Nazi Germany. In this book, readers will learn about his life through brief text and watercolor illustrations. Younger readers may enjoy Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s picture book, Jesse Owens: Olympic Star.

Can a poem capture the excitement, exhilaration, or anguish of defeat when playing sports? The poems here do all that and more! It’s an easy-to-read collection that’s illustrated with just the right light touch.

Even though the ancient Greeks conceived the Olympics, it was a small Frenchman “with a shrill voice and a bushy mustache” who almost single-handedly brought the modern Olympics to life again. This revealing, clear, and handsome book provides an engaging and authoritative overview of the summer Olympics.