We're Back! Here's Some Books We Missed While We Were Gone

Hello Sporty Girl Book fans! We are so sorry for taking a 2-year hiatus. To make a long story short, our blog was hijacked by code that redirected you to other sites. It's taken this long to figure out how to remove that code. But now we are back, so what better way to kick things off than by sharing some of the middle-grade Sporty Girl Books that we missed announcing in 2025. 

It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango

No one knows hard work and dedication like Valentina Camacho. And Vale’s thing is fencing. She’s the top athlete at her fencing gym. Or she was . . . until the accident.

After months away, Vale is finally cleared to fence again, but it’s much harder than before. Her body doesn’t move the way it used to, and worst of all is the new number one: Myrka. When she sweeps Vale aside with her perfect form and easy smile, Vale just can’t accept that. But the harder Vale fights to catch up, the more she realizes her injury isn’t the only thing holding her back. If she can’t leave her accident in the past, then what does she have to look forward to?

In this moving novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, one girl finds her way back to her life’s passion and discovers that the sum of a person’s achievements doesn’t amount to the whole of them.

On Guard! By Cassidy Wasserman

Grace isn’t ready for a new school year. Her best friend Ava dropped her at the end of last year, the dust is still settling from her parents’ messy divorce, and things are not going well between Grace and her mom. Mothers and daughters are always so close in movies. But that’s never been Grace and her mom. So now Grace has no friends, no hobbies (band was Ava’s thing), and home feels even more complicated than school. There’s not a single place Grace can just relax. Until she sees the school’s fencing club practicing. They look so sure of themselves. So steady. It may not solve everything…but could this be a place Grace can finally belong and be herself?

 The Unforgettable Leta Lightning Laurel by R.L. Toalson

Eighth-grader Leta “Lightning” Laurel is a big sister, a problem solver, and the star of her track team. Her dad’s been out of the picture for more than a year, and food’s gotten scarce at home.

When Leta learns her mom’s financial struggles are even worse than she’d thought, she hatches a plan to bring her dad home: she’ll win district champion in the 400-meter dash, the newspaper will write about her, her mom will send the clipping to her dad, and her dad will remember he has daughters who need him. Because she’ll be unforgettable.

It should be easy; no one can beat her in the 400. But a new runner shows up, threatening Leta’s top spot and her budding feminist beliefs about sisterhood. She works harder and harder in practice, trying to ensure the new girl won’t ruin her perfect plan…until an injury sidelines her.

How will she ever prove to her dad and the world that she’s unforgettable? How will she prove it to herself?

The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Esme Sun absolutely does not care about winning shiny trophies or finally receiving some of the praise her mother bestows so lavishly on her three older, brilliant sisters. But, actually... it would be nice to be good at something. So when Esme discovers on the first day of summer, opening day at the community pool, that her growth spurt over the winter has made her a really fast swimmer, she wonders if she just might have found that thing.

After Esme has an uncomfortable encounter at the pool with a new girl, Kaya, Esme worries she may have hurt Kaya's feelings. Then, embarrassed by Esme's awkwardness, her friend Tegan, the cool girl at school who seems to do everything perfectly, makes Esme promise that from now on, she'll be chill, not act so babyish and intense about things--especially not swim team.

But when their swim competitions begin, and Esme starts winning, she finds that she actually cares a lot. In fact, she wants to break the pool's freestyle record. That doesn't mesh so well with her promise to Tegan. And as Esme tries to navigate swimming and her friendships, she searches for a way to apologize and make things right with Kaya.

Esme's mom's focus on winning confuses her, though, and she begins to wonder: Is winning really as important as she thinks, even if it means being unkind to your friends and teammates? Or is there another way to compete, to be a good sport and a good friend?

That's all we have for now, Sporty Girl Book fans, but make sure to follow our site so you can stay updated on new books, new interviews, and new news about girls in sports and sporty girl books. Did we miss a book you wrote or loved? Leave a message in the comments or email us at sportygirlbooks@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!

*Please note that we have not read these books ourselves. Titles and descriptions come from the publisher's websites. The books are in no particular order.

Book Review for #InternationalWomensDay : THE GIRL WHO FIGURED IT OUT

By Brenda Barrera

Hot off the press and just in time to celebrate International Women's Day (March 8) is a book I’ve been eagerly waiting for: THE GIRL WHO FIGURED IT OUT by Minda Dentler and illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin (Sourcebooks, 2024). I did my first triathlon in 1986 and still compete in short distances, so I’ve witnessed the sport’s growth and, just as important, expanding the field to include and support athletes like Minda Dentler.

Born in India, Minda contracted polio (a life-threatening virus), which caused paralysis, and the doctor said she would never be able to walk. Wanting a better life for her daughter, Minda’s birth mother put her up for adoption, and the Dentlers from Spokane, Washington, welcomed her into their loving family.

Minda shares the frustrations of growing up with leg braces and not fitting in due to physical challenges. One specific line in the book that made me stop and re-read was this one: “Some adults talked over me because they could only see my disability.” An eye-opening lesson for adults. Her parents remind her that she can do what she wants, and her dad’s words reinforce the positive message: “You can do it, Minda. Just figure it out.” As an adult, she moves to New York where she joins a running group for people with disabilities and participates on a handcycle. After learning how to swim “one stroke at a time,” she competes in the triathlons.

THE GIRL WHO FIGURED IT OUT is an inspirational sporty girl story about adoption, inclusion, perseverance, and reaching goals. Minda Dentler is an athlete who becomes stronger, smarter, and more confident with each obstacle she overcomes and also cements her mark in sports history as the first female wheelchair athlete to complete one of the world’s most challenging endurance events The Ironman World Championship: 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle, and 26.2-mile run!

Dehennin’s illustrations are stunning with a pallet of rich, vibrant colors, and the back matter supplements the text with informative boxes: What is polio, What is an Ironman World Championship, and description of adaptive equipment: handcycle and racing wheelchair.

Book Review: WIBBLE WOBBLE BOOM! #NGWSD2024

My book pick for this year’s February 7, 2024, celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is WIBBLE WOBBLE BOOM! by Mary Ann Rodman and illustrated by Holly Sterling (Peachtree Publishing). This follows Claire’s first day at ice-skating class. Like most fans of the sport, you can watch from the comfort of your couch and it may seem effortless—until you lace up a pair of ice skates with a single edged-blade and try to navigate gracefully across a slippery and cold ice rink. Claire’s enthusiasm is stifled by having brown (not white) ice skates and being intimidated by a boy who’s a hockey player. Fortunately, Miss Nicole (the instructor) kept the lesson light and encouragement positive. By the end of the book, Claire made a new friend and skates across the rink with confidence.

WIBBLE WOBBLE BOOM! Is an empowering sporty picture book featuring a young black girl who may not do sit spins or master a figure-eight on the first day but is on her way to enjoying a new sport and learning new skills. An encouraging story with delightful, expressive illustrations that reflect diversity among the children.

Photo: Back in the 1980s I took my friend from Kentucky ice-skating for her first time at an indoor rink in Chicago — check out our brown ice skates!

Book Review for #InternationalWomensDay : RENA GLICKMAN, QUEEN OF JUDO

What better way to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th than to amplify a notable woman . . . so my #sportygirlbooks pick for today is RENA GLICKMAN, QUEEN OF JUDO by Eve Nadel Catarevas and illustrated by Martina Peluso (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2022).

While some sports fans might not immediately recognize the name Rena Glickman (1935-2009), this might help -- her full name is Rena “Rusty” Glickman Kanokogi, and she can be described as the mother of women's judo and a sports pioneer who has inspired many girls and women around the world.

This significant picture book biography tells the story of Rusty, a Jewish-American, from her early childhood in New York, including how she earned her nickname “Rusty.” From a young age, she wanted to be like her brother, Charly, so she lifted weights and did push-ups just like him. In the 1950s, people chastised her for being “unladylike,” and she found herself getting into fights with other girls, so she “was always trying to improve her self-defense skills.”

Luckily for her and many young women of that era, the YMCA provided an outlet for physical activity, and she learned they offered judo classes. However, to her dismay, she learned that only men were allowed in the judo class. This is where persistence comes into play as she talked her way into the class, and when it came time to enter her first competition in 1959, she had to disguise herself as a man in order to compete. (Can you think of any other female athletes who had to do something similar in order to participate in a sport? I immediately thought about Kathrine Switzer who signed up to run the Boston Marathon as K.V. Switzer in 1967 since women were not allowed to participate and since she didn't use her first name the officials did not know she was a woman.)

There are many “firsts” associated with Rusty Kanokogi — the first girl to participate in her YMCAs judo program — first woman to train at the world-famous Kodokan in Japan — first woman to become a seventh-degree black belt in judo — and the first coach for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Judo Team in 1988.

The Queen of Judo tells the story of a remarkable woman who found her passion for sports as a young girl and it has a resonating message: believe in your abilities and never give up on your dreams. A bonus is the Author’s Note which includes more information and photographs of Rusty Kanokogi.

For more information about Rena “Rusty” Glickman Kanokogi

Book Review: IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE #NGWSD2023

It’s February 1, 2023 and time to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and, if you want to give a girl a book (today or any day), I highly recommend this empowering sporty, adventure picture book: IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE by Hayley Diep and illustrated by Braden Hallett.

Not only does the main character and her two girlfriends like to bike, but in the spirit of “if you see it, you can be it,” she falls in love with one sport and, subsequently several other sports throughout the story. When she spots a skateboarder cruising down the sidewalk, she has to try that sport; when she watches someone rock climbing on TV, she tries that sport; after a car drives by with a surfboard on the roof, she immediately hits the water to surf, surf, surf; and before the sun sinks into the horizon, she wants to go back out on her bike. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect day?

This delightful sporty girl picture book is a fun read-aloud that includes repetition and accurate lingo for each sport. When she takes a tumble or wipes out, she is not afraid of a few “scrapes or bruises” and gets right back up to continue her adventure — a powerful lesson.

Diep, a teacher and cyclist, wrote an article for LIV Cycling (a cycling brand dedicated to girls and women) about the book that includes how-to tips on encouraging more girls to fall in love with bicycling. One of my favorite lines from the article is, “After all, biking builds grit, resilience, and confidence, and we want our girls to have these traits!”

Book Review: DAZZLING TRAVIS #ReadYourWorld

By Brenda Barrera

I was gifted a copy of DAZZLING TRAVIS by Hannah Carmona, illustrated by Brenda Figueroa, and published by Cardinal Rule for Multicultural Children's Book Day #ReadYourWorld Day.

Each year I have reviewed a book for MCBD, I request a title that combines girls and sports. At first glance, I paused, “Hmmm . . . I’m not sure this is the correct match.” But l was curious, so I turned to the first page and had my aha moment.

Travis is a delightful, confident little boy with a wide range of interests that vary from playing dress-up in “colorful denim and glitter galore” who takes ballet classes and likes to play basketball. He is also self-confident and can stand up to playground bullies. One of the bullies (a girl) grabs his doll and exclaims, “Boys CAN’T play with that!” But Travis firmly replies, “I am who I am!” He also tells them a boy can like pink just as a girl can like blue.

In many ways, this book is not only about children who feel they are different but an opportunity to open up a dialog about acceptance, bullying, and peer pressure. Sporty girl readers are sure to find relatable situations – they may be the only girl on their sports team or get teased about playing a particular sport. The author includes age-appropriate topics and questions to engage readers like, “What do you think it would be like if we were all the same?”

The back matter profiles a few people who persevered and were dazzling in their own ways, like Elizabeth Stride, also known as Lizzie Arlington. Born in 1877, she was the first American woman to sign a baseball contract. She pitched for a professional men’s team in the late 19th century and played on all-female teams.

I enjoyed this rhyming picture book, and the colored illustrations reflect diverse children. If you are looking for a book (recommended for readers aged 4-10, but I think it will appeal to younger readers) that celebrates differences and being confident, this is a good pick.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 is in its 10th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators. Ten years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. For more information CLICK HERE.

Meet These Asian Pacific American Female Athletes who are CHANGING THE GAME #ReadYourWorld

 

Get to know Amy, Anona, Catherine, Chloe, EJ, Evelyn, Julie, Kristi, Liane, Megan, Michelle (2), Miki, Mohini, Naomi, Natasha, and Victoria

I was gifted a copy of Mia Wenjen’s CHANGING THE GAME: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FEMALE ATHLETES, a Middle Grade (MG) book for Multicultural Children's Book Day #ReadYourWorld Day. I’m always excited to read and learn about talented and trailblazing female athletes!

I recognized several of the women profiled, like New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon champion Miki Gorman [Japanese American], who ruled the roads in the late 1970s. I did not know she moved to the U.S. at age 28 with only $10 in her pocket! Another was two-time Olympic Gold medalist Chloe Kim [Korean American], who dominated the halfpipe and slopestyle competition to take Olympic gold medals in 2016. Heads up: Chloe will be competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

There were some athletes who I admit that I was not familiar with like EJ Lee Smith [Korean American], a college point guard phenom whose father didn’t know she played basketball until he saw her on TV and Anona Napoleon [Native Hawaiian] who was surfing the big waves back in the 1950s and dominated ocean sports. A diving accident left her paralyzed at age 19, but she made a full recovery and was atop the podium, winning the 1961 Mākaha Surfing Competition.

Each entry opens with a relatable question to engage the reader, such as, “Would you join a boys’ team as the only girl?” Four-time Olympic medalist Julie Chu [Chinese/Puerto Rican American] joined a boys’ ice hockey team because girls had no leagues. I remember watching on TV and cheering gymnast Amy Chow [Chinese American] at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games but was surprised to learn she was also a pole vaulter and diver in high school and continued as a student-athlete diving for Stanford University.

CHANGING THE GAME is a slim, MG paperback that includes photos, pull-out quotes, athletic accomplishments, interesting anecdotes, and a list of URLs to learn more about the athletes at the end. Highly recommend this sports book that will surely inspire readers and an important contribution to collections that reflect the diversity in our sports world. Plus, an ideal pick to tie into the upcoming National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 2, 2022, and Beijing Olympic Games February 4-20, 2022.

CHANGING THE GAME features these sports:  Basketball - Diving - Golf - Gymnastics - Ice Hockey - Ice Skating - Kayaking - Marathon Running - Mixed Martial Arts - Snowboarding - Soccer - Surfing - Swimming - Tennis - Volleyball

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