Olympic ReadsLike this list

25 items

• The Story of the Olympic Games

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  An official children's book on the Olympic Games, created with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, this is a great illustrated book for reading about the history of the Olympics.

• The Games

  a Global History of the Olympics

  Goldblatt, David, 1965-

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  A definitve history of the modern Olympics (up through publication date) focussing on social and political history (as opposed to the sports themselves.

• Total Olympics

  Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic, and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing

  Fuchs, Jeremy

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  Like your history a little less dry and linear? Here's where you can find tons of intriguing short true stories and facts. And it's packed with pictures! Recommended for adults and teens. Good for reading in snippets with the whole family!

• On Your Mark, Get Set, Gold!

  An Irreverent Guide to the Sports of the Summer Games

  Allen, Scott (Children's fiction writer)

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  A picture book that'll make you laugh while teaching you about what it takes to compete in summer games sports! For kids.

• Kid Olympians: Summer

  True Tales of Childhood From Champions and Game Changers

  Stevenson, Robin, 1968-

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  Kids can learn about what amazing Olympic champions were like when they were kids in this illustrated book of short biographies.

• How Do You Become An Olympian?

  a Book About the Olympics and Olympic Athletes

  Kelly, Madeleine,

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  An interesting (and adorable) look at some of the things athletes have to think about and do to become Olympians. Recommended for elementary age kids.

• The Other Olympians

  Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports

  Waters, Michael

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  A fascinating history of an aspect of the Olympics seldom talked about, this book tells the story of trans athletes who transitioned in the 1930s and how sex testing in sports ties into the tennants of the Nazi Party and the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

• Dreamers and Schemers

  How an Improbable Bid for the 1932 Olympics Transformed Los Angeles from Dusty Outpost to Global Met

  Siegel, Barry

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  Journalistic narrative nonfiction about the years leading up to the 1932 Olympics and how one man's all-consuming desire to bring the games to LA to changed the shape of the city.

• Olympic Pride, American Prejudice

  The Untold Story of 18 African Americans Who Defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to Compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics

  Draper, Deborah Riley • Underwood, Blair • Thrasher, Travis

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  Learn about the eighteen African American atheletes who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games (including Jesse Owens) in spite of the racism of Nazi Germany and at home.

• The Boys in the Boat

  the True Story of An American Team's Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics

  Brown, Daniel James, 1951-

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  Another story from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, this one featuring an unlikely team of rowers from the working class American West.

• Inaugural Ballers

  the True Story of the First U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team

  Maraniss, Andrew,

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  Decades before the WNBA these unlikely women represented the USA as the first Olympic women's basketball team and their story is told compellingly in this book for bigger kids and teens. Full of great photos!

• Victory. Stand!

  Raising My Fist for Justice

  Smith, Tommie, 1944-

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  In this award-winning graphic novel for middle grade kids and teens, Tommie Smith tells the story of his life, culminating in his fist-raised protest on the 1968 Olympic podium.

• Just Add Water

  My Swimming Life

  Ledecky, Katie, 1997-

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  Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky compellingly chronicles her life in swimming.

• Proud

  Living My American Dream

  Muhammad, Ibtihaj, 1985-

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  Before Ibtihaj Mujammad became a barrier-smashing Olymic medalist, she was a young person trying to find her place in suburban America. Here she tells her own story.

• Coming Home

  Griner, Brittney,

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  Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner shares her story of captivity in a Russian prison and journey back to freedom. Emotional and brave, this is a story of survival.

• Boundless

  Lowe, Chaunte, 1984-

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  High jumper Chaunte Lowe tells about her own journey from a very challening childhood to the Olympics and beyond. Her resillience is inspiring. Recommended for middle grade readers.

• Unstoppable!

  My Journey From World Champion to Athlete A to 8-time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond

  Nichols, Maggie,

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  Maggie Nichols' inspirational personal story is also a tell-all about the world of elite gymnastics and the scandals within.

• Flying High

  the Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles

  Meadows, Michelle

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  Can you talk about the Olympics without mentioning Simone Biles? Here is her story, from a childhood in foster care to being the true GOAT, told for young readers.

• Path Lit by Lightning

  the Life of Jim Thorpe

  Maraniss, David,

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  A fascinating in-depth biography of Jim Thorpe, his exceptional talent, his life, his pain, and the times during which he lived. A true story of survival.

• Bravey

  Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas

  Pappas, Alexi,

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  A memoir in essays, Bravey is Pappas's own telling of her story (childhood, athletics, acting, writing, and more) with self-awareness and a unique voice.