20 Slam-Dunk Basketball Books for Kids

For March Madness and beyond.

Best Basketball Books for Kids

Ready, set, grab those brackets. March Madness is here. While you’re gearing up for the intensity of three straight weeks of college basketball and mulling over your bracketology, here are 19 basketball books for kids.

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Best Basketball Books for Kids in Grades K–2

Young readers can join in on the fun with stories about competitiveness, team pranks and sportsmanship.

1. Dino-Basketball by Lisa Wheeler

Dino Basket ball

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2. Allie’s Basketball Dream by Barber E. Barber

 Allie’s Basketball Dream by Barber E. Barber

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3. Cam Jansen: The Basketball Mystery by David A. Adler

Cam Jansen: The Basketball Mystery by David A. Adler

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4. MVP #4: The Basketball Blowout by David A. Kelly

MVP #4: The Basketball Blowout by David A. Kelly

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5. Five Fouls and You’re Out by Val Priebe

Five Fouls and You're Out by Val Priebe

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6. Basketball Break by CC Joven

Basketball Break by CC Joven

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7. Point Guard Prank by Jake Maddox

Point Guard Prank by Jake Maddox

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Best Basketball Books for Kids in Grades 3–5

Middle grade readers can live vicariously through these young basketball stars. Along the way, they’ll learn that basketball might build confidence, but you have to keep your head in the game and make smart decisions.

8. Slam Dunk by Sharon Robinson

Slam Dunk by Sharon Robinson

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9. The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman

The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman

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10. STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #1: Home Court by Amar’e Stoudemire

STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #1: Home Court by Amar’e Stoudemire

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11. Jump Shot by Ronde and Tiki Barber

Jump Shot by Ronde and Tiki Barber

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12. A Whole New Ball Game by Phil Bildner

A Whole New Ball Game by Phil Bildner

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13. Double Team by Michael Teitelbaum

Double Team by Michael Teitelbaum

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Best Basketball Books for Kids in Grades 6 and Up

Teen readers may be surprised to learn that basketball isn’t just all fun and games. Players’ lives are not always as exciting as they may seem. They face real challenges and responsibilities, sometimes out of their control. However, basketball can be a saving grace.

14. Hoops by Walter Dean Myers

Hoops by Walter Dean Myers

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15. Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Yee

Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Yee

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16. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

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17. Last Shot by John Feinstein

Last Shot by John Feinstein

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18. The Final Four by Paul Volponi

The Final Four by Paul Volponi

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19. Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

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20. Night Hoops by Carl Dueker

 Night Hoops by Carl Dueker

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What are your favorite basketball books for kids? We’d love to hear about them in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

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Plus, check out our list of Olympics books and funny books for kids.

 

19 slam-dunk basketball books for kids