Books for the Summer Olympics

By Kaitlyn Spotts | July 22 2021 | GeneralHealth, Sports, Games, and CraftsHigh SchoolMiddle School

The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event typically held once every four years. The Games were first held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and were most recently held in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After a yearlong postponement, the 2021 Summer Olympics are set to take place in Tokyo and begin this month. Get in the Olympic spirit with these great summer books and inspirational reads!

Explore our full collection of Summer Olympics sports titles here.

The Naked Olympics
The Naked Olympics
The True Story of the Ancient Games
Tony Perrottet
978-0-8129-6991-7
"The Naked Olympics presents the Greeks in all their glory, brutality, and vulgarity. It is a fascinating picture and popular history at its best."
$18.00 US
Jun 08, 2004
Paperback
256 Pages
Random House Trade Paperbacks
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
The Young Champion's Mind
The Young Champion's Mind
How to Think, Train, and Thrive Like an Elite Athlete
Jim Afremow, PhD
978-1-63565-056-3
The ultimate guide for student athletes to train, play, and feel their best, from an expert in sports psychology.
$17.99 US
Mar 13, 2018
Hardcover
224 Pages
Rodale Kids
Grade 7 & Up
All In
All In
An Autobiography
Johnette Howard, Maryanne Vollers, Billie Jean King
978-1-101-94733-3
An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice.
$30.00 US
Aug 17, 2021
Hardcover
496 Pages
Knopf
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
Letters to a Young Athlete
Letters to a Young Athlete
Chris Bosh
978-1-9848-8178-6
A legendary NBA player shares his remarkable story, infused with hard-earned wisdom about the journey to self-mastery from a life at the highest level of professional sports
$26.00 US
Jun 01, 2021
Hardcover
256 Pages
Penguin Press
Grades 9-12
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics (The Sports Beat, 6)
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics (The Sports Beat, 6)
John Feinstein
978-0-375-87168-9
A fresh cover look and series title for bestselling author John Feinstein's middle grade sports mysteries. Here's The Sports Beat's scoop on the Olympic Games.
$7.99 US
May 14, 2013
Paperback
336 Pages
Yearling
Grades 6-8
Soar
Soar
Joan Bauer
978-0-14-751315-1
Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer hits a home run with her newest protagonist, who always sees the positive side of any situation.
$8.99 US
Jan 03, 2017
Paperback
320 Pages
Puffin Books
Grade 5 & Up
Unbroken
Unbroken
A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand
978-0-8129-7449-2
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.
$17.00 US
Jul 29, 2014
Paperback
528 Pages
Random House Trade Paperbacks
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
Related articles