Kansas City is gearing up for a summer full of global soccer excitement and whether your family is already obsessed or just beginning to catch soccer fever, there’s no better way to get in the spirit than by diving into a great book. From picture books for your littlest fans to inspiring stories for teens and adults, these books will have everyone ready to read all season long.
And speaking of reading goals, Johnson County Library’s Summer Reading Program is back! This beloved initiative promotes literacy for children and teens through a lineup of engaging programs and events tied to this year’s metro-wide theme: Read, Score, Roar! Libraries across the Kansas City region are teaming up to celebrate a summer of stories, learning, and fun.
Books for Littles
My First Book of Soccer by Beth Bugler
This colorful introduction breaks down the basics of soccer in a way young children can easily understand. Simple language and bright images make it perfect for first-time fans.
Curious George Plays Soccer by Margret Rey
Curious George brings his usual mischief to the soccer field as he learns how the game works. Along the way, kids see the importance of listening, teamwork, and having fun.
Dino-Soccer by Lisa Wheeler
Dinosaurs face off in an energetic soccer match filled with action and humor. Rhyming text keeps the story playful while introducing basic game concepts.
We Play Soccer by René Colato Laínez
This upbeat story celebrates kids from all backgrounds coming together to play soccer. It highlights teamwork, inclusion, and the joy of the game.
The Soccer Fence by Phil Bildner
A simple soccer game helps bridge differences between two neighboring communities. This story shows how sports can bring people together and build understanding.
Winners Never Quit by Mia Hamm
When Mia feels like giving up, she learns an important lesson about perseverance. This inspiring story encourages kids to keep trying, even when things are hard.
Froggy Plays Soccer by Jonathan London
Froggy is excited for his first day of soccer but quickly realizes there’s a lot to learn. With plenty of silly moments along the way, he discovers the importance of listening, teamwork, and having fun.
The Berenstain Bears Get Their Kicks by Stan Berenstain
Brother and Sister Bear join a soccer team and quickly learn the value of teamwork. This classic tale gently teaches sportsmanship and cooperation.
Books for Kids
Soccer on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel back in time to help save an important soccer game. Their adventure mixes history, magic, and teamwork.
Yasmin the Soccer Star by Saadia Faruqi
Yasmin is excited to shine on the soccer field but soon learns she can’t do it alone. She discovers that being a great teammate matters more than scoring goals.
Saving the Team by Alex Morgan
When their team is in danger of falling apart, a group of friends must come together to save it. The story highlights leadership, friendship, and determination.
The Mighty Dynamo by Kiernan Mark Crowley
A young player must find confidence while competing against tough opponents. This story emphasizes hard work and believing in yourself.
Love Puppies and Corner Kicks by Bob Krech
Soccer season gets chaotic when puppies enter the mix. This lighthearted story blends sports, humor, and friendship.
The Mystery of the Soccer Snitch by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Boxcar Children investigate strange happenings on a soccer team. Their teamwork and curiosity help them solve the mystery.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Paul navigates a new school, family challenges, and his love for soccer. This deeper story explores identity, resilience, and finding where you belong.
The Ball Hogs by Rich Wallace
A talented but selfish player learns that soccer is a team sport. The story shows how sharing the ball can lead to greater success.
Books for Teens
Kick by Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman
A teen soccer player faces difficult choices that test his values and future. The story explores responsibility, pressure, and personal growth.
Losers Take All by David Klass
A group of underdogs form a team and challenges expectations. Their journey shows that heart and determination can outweigh skill.
Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Camila secretly pursues her dream of becoming a professional soccer player. She must balance family expectations, identity, and ambition.
Booked by Kwame Alexander
Twelve-year-old Nick loves soccer and hates books, but soon learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.
Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi
Ace and the Misfits Vs. the Soccer Knights by Eddie Kawooya
When Ace, a recently arrived Ugandan immigrant, joins up with “the Misfits” to play soccer, the group soon find themselves trying to qualify for a high-stakes tournament.
One Happy Accident by Gary Simonds
A high school soccer player struggling with bullying, delayed puberty, and a serious injury begins to question his future in the sport he loves. When a new classmate sees his worth beyond the field, he must decide if he can balance his dreams of soccer with healing, relationships, and life off the pitch.
Running with Lions by Julian Winters
A teen spends the summer reconnecting with old friends through soccer. The story explores identity, relationships, and finding confidence.
Books for Adults
Soccernomics by Simon Kuper
This book dives into the data and strategy behind soccer’s global success. It offers surprising insights into how the game really works.
Outcasts United by Warren St. John
A youth soccer team made up of refugees finds strength and community through the sport. This powerful true story highlights resilience and belonging.
How to Watch Soccer by Ruud Gullit
This guide helps fans better understand the strategy behind the game. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to deepen their appreciation of soccer.
Forward by Abby Wambach
Wambach shares her journey through triumphs and challenges on and off the field. Her story is a powerful look at leadership and resilience.
The Numbers Game: Why Everything You Know About Soccer Is Wrong by Christopher Anderson
Moneyball meets Freakonomics in this myth-busting guide to understanding–and winning–the most popular sport on the planet.
Even people who don’t know football know Pelé. The best of a generation of Brazilian players universally acknowledged as the most accomplished and attractive group of footballers ever to play the game, he won the World Cup three times and is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer. But how did this man — a sportsman, a mere footballer, like many others — become a global icon?
When Nobody Was Watching by Carli Lloyd
This candid reflection on a remarkable turnaround will take readers inside the women’s national team and inside the head of an athlete who willed herself to perform at the highest levels of competition.
Messi Mania by Luis Miguel Echegaray
Following his inspiring journey from Barcelona’s youth academy to World Cup triumph with Argentina and then to MLS club Inter Miami, Messi Mania is the ultimate one-stop guide to a motivating and inspiring global soccer star.
As Kansas City gets ready for a summer filled with international soccer energy, there’s no better time to build excitement at home through reading. If you’re not sure where to start, the friendly staff at Johnson County Library are always ready to help you find the perfect pick. Stop by your local branch, explore the Summer Reading Program, and make this a season your family will read, score, and roar about long after the final whistle.
