Did you know that sports are not just games you play with balls? I never thought of myself as a big sports person until I realized swimming counted. A sport can be any activity where you move your body. Sometimes you do it in a group, sometimes you do it alone. Sports can also be a way to learn how to work together. But sometimes, being on a team can also be challenging for other relationships.
Here are some great novels about finding your people and your passion through sports (even when it's really hard!):
Kickturn: Lindy is lonely, living on a school bus with her parents and never staying in one place. When her t-shirt sparks a friendship, her new friends get her on a skateboard just like her skating YouTube idol. She wants to stay forever. Will her parents decide to let her stay and be part of a friend group?
Fencing has gotten to be very popular lately, at least in kids' books! I've never actually seen a match in real life, but I feel like I have because of Duel, a graphic novel about two sisters who don't get along. Will a fencing duel make or break the sisters' relationship? Need more fencing action? All or Nothing, Vale is all about what it takes to be great at fencing, even after a serious accident.
Make A Move, Sunny Park! Bailey and Sunny used to do ballet together until Bailey convinced Sunny to quit. Now, she's convinced Sunny to try out for the middle school dance team even though Sunny is terrified of dancing in front of judgy middle schoolers. But this is her chance to keep her changing friendship with Bailey alive...only Sunny makes the team and Bailey doesn't. Will their friendship be over for real this time?
Barely Floating: Nat has never really thought about synchronized swimming as a sport she could do until she sees a presentation from the LA Mermaids at her local pool. It doesn't matter if she's a self-proclaimed gorda, as long as she can handle the swimming--and she can! She's fast! She's strong! Her parents think synchro is too focused on appearances and they forbid her. Headstrong Nat joins the team anyway and makes great friends. But how will she get her parents to see her side when she's been lying to them for months?
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