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Best Baseball Chapter Books

17 Great Baseball Books for Kids

Posted on May 13, 2011June 9, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

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!

 

p.s. Related posts:

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17 Great Baseball Books for Kids

10. Honus and Me by Dan Gutman

Honus and Me by Dan Gutman

9. Shoeless Joe and Me by Dan Gutman

Shoeless Joe and Me by Dan Gutman

8. Babe and Me by Dan Gutman

Babe and Me by Dan Gutman

7. Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

6. Ray and Me by Dan Gutman

Ray and Me by Dan Gutman

5. Heat by Mike Lupica*

*Here’s what author Shannon Hale has to say about Mike Lupica (and it’s not flattering). You can decide if he’s a diva or just a jerk.

Heat by Mike Lupica

4. Jim and Me by Dan Gutman

Jim and Me by Dan Gutman

3. Mickey and Me by Dan Gutman

Mickey and Me by Dan Gutman

2. The Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott

The Prince of Fenway Park

1. One-Handed Catch by M.J. Auch

One-Handed Catch by M.J.  Auch

Baseball Books for Kids 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!

Foul Up at Fenway Park by David Kelly

Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly

Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly

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 1940s. 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, and The Legend of Mickey Tussler books provides inspiration for anyone who has ever been forced to view the world from the outside looking in. [young adult, ages 12 and up]

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 and up]

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 Nelson.  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 and up]

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’ book club 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 me of a little of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli who 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 from 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 and up]

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, and lighthearted, but even manages to throw in a few life lessons. Definitely purchasing.” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

Camp Average by Craig Battle

 

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best baseball chapter books for kids

 

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7 thoughts on “17 Great Baseball Books for Kids”

  1. Erin @ Letter Soup says:
    July 14, 2010 at 1:43 am

    I’m loving these Top 10 lists! Such good picks! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Nina Smith says:
    August 14, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    The Dan Gutman books are very good. Loved Honus and Me

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 16, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Hi Nina,
      Thanks so much for your comment. My friend’s daughter was really into baseball books and she gave me the list of her daughter’s favorite books. I am a big fan of Dan Gutman and I’m happy to know his baseball series is so popular.

      Reply
  3. JCB says:
    February 7, 2015 at 10:26 am

    The Dan Gutman books are really good, however, they are worth a pre-read. There are a few of them that have some adult-like situations in them. The boy being shoved in a closet by gangsters, almost being shot in the head by gangsters, divorce of his parents, a drunk father, a few nude scences in which the young boy in the story enjoys. I really like these books but I’m pre-reading them for my seven-year-old. Those are all things he has no knowledge about and I’d like to keep it that way, at least for awhile. “The Babe and Me” seems perfectly clean, but “Mickey and Me” is not one I’d let him read. Just a warning

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      February 9, 2015 at 2:46 pm

      Hi JCB,
      I haven’t read the Dan Gutman baseball books, only his Wayside School books which are a little odd (but in a good way) so I see why a parent would want to screen them a little, especially if their kids are on the younger side for his books. Thanks so much for the heads up! Good to know!!!

      Reply
  4. Augusta Scattergood says:
    January 14, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Since baseball season is almost upon us (Spring training in Florida begins next month!), I’m gathering my favorite baseball books, too. I’m reading Joan Bauer’s latest- SOAR. Which I love.
    I’ll link to your post when mine is ready. Thanks for this!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 19, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      Hi Augusta,
      Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to our post!!

      Reply

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