Top 10: Best Baseball Chapter Books (ages 7-16)

These books are from a Mom Blogger friend at CoffeeShopBloggers whose daughter is a sports fanatic and these were her favorite baseball books.  These books are appropriate for grades 3-5th.   The “…and Me” novels, also known as, the Baseball Card Adventures are fun because the child in the story travels back in time to meet a baseball legend.

I suspect that any little leaguer who might not love to read will enjoy these books! It might even inspire them to look at baseball equipment from Homerun Monkey and start playing baseball immediately. But I actually hope to get them reading!

Honorable Mentions

Ball Park Mysteries: Foul Up at Fenway Park by David A. Kelly

Jen Robinson reviewed this series here. I’ve asked for a review copy to check them out myself. But Red Sox fans might really like this one!

Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly

No Cream Puffs by Karen Day

Madison is a twelve-year-old girl with a talent for baseball.  Should she be the first girl to join the boys’ Little League in Southern Michigan?  She is having trouble fitting in; not all the boys want a girl on their team, and the girls seem so girly and boy crazy.  This coming of age novel rings true for my fifth grader — she just picked this book to share with her book club!  [chapter book, ages 9-12]

We Are The Ship:  The Story of the Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

Technically, this is an advanced picture book beautifully illustrated and written by Kadir Nelso.  For anyone who loves the game of baseball, this is a must read about the unsung heroes of the Negro League Baseball who paved the way for all people of color.  [advanced picture book, ages 8-14]

Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta

First of all, let me say that I am not a big fan of baseball.  I have never played the game and I don’t understand the fine points.  While I root for the Red Sox, I am really there for the food.  So, when my mom friend told me that everyone in the fourth grade boys’ bookclub LOVED this book, I asked to borrow it.  And I found that I could not put it down; it was just that good.  It reminds of a little of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli that won a Newbery.  It’s really that good.  So here are the elements:  freaky weather conditions attributed to an old Native American curse, two towns obsessed with a baseball rivalry, a foster child that turns up on Roy’s couch when he returns form baseball camp,  a baseball game that changes history (at least between the two towns), and defining life moments for father and son.  Whew! There’s something for every reader! [chapter book, ages 9-16]

Camp Average by Craig Battle

Review from Ms. Yingling Reads:

“This is really more of a book about baseball than camp, but it covers both well. It’s funny, lighthearted, but even manages to throw in a few life lessons. Definitely purchasing.” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

Best Baseball Books for Kids

10. Honus and Me by Dan Gutman

9. Shoeless Joe and Me by Dan Gutman

8. Babe and Me by Dan Gutman

7. Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

6. Ray and Me by Dan Gutman

5.  Heat by Mike Lupica

4.  Jim and Me by Dan Gutman

3. Mickey and Me by Dan Gutman

2.  The Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott

1.  One-Handed Catch by M.J.  Auch

More Great Baseball Books for Kids

Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta

Mudville is not just a baseball book but reads like a retold fable and a modern classic with a twist of magical realism. Yes, it’s true in Mudville that it rains every single day and has for years due to a fairly recent Indian curse until one days it stops.  It should be an ancient Native American story passed orally down for generations. It just has that feel and is best read aloud around a campfire. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

The Legend of Mickey Tussler by Frank Nappi

The Legend of Mickey Tussler series chronicles the adventures of Mickey Tussler, a teenage pitching phenom with Asperger’s in the late 1940’s. Readers will delight in Mickey’s ability to win over fans, teammates, and opponents who initially are critical of the young man due to what they deem “odd” behavior. The basis for the hit feature film “A Mile in His Shoes,” starring Dean Cain, The Legend of Mickey Tussler books provide inspiration for anyone who has ever been forced to view the world from the outside looking in. [young adult, ages 12 and up]

Click on image of book to examine at Amazon.

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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.

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