With the spirit of the Olympics in the air, the Children’s Librarians at Worcester Public Library thought it would be fun to share some amazing nonfiction books to explore more about the Olympics.

Crossing the Finish Line by Thushanthi Ponweera

When Sri Lankan Olympian Rantunge Karunanada raced in the 1964 Olympics, he quickly learned that he did not have much of a chance of winning the 10,000-meter race. However, just competing in the Olympics was a dream come true, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching the finish line.

Declan Farmer Paralympic Hockey Star by Matt Chandler

Declan Farmer is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist. This inspirational book details his life, challenges, and athletic career.

History and Stars of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event: From Athens 1896 to Paris 2024 by Vijayan Bala

Learn all about the modern Summer Olympics in this book! It includes information about the history of the games (including details on each event from 1896 to 2024), features rare photos, and highlights Olympic stars and record breakers. 

How Do You Become an Olympian? by Madeleine Kelly

How do athletes represent their county in the Olympics? How do athletes win medals? This books answers these and other questions and is filled with fun facts about the Olympics and Olympic athletes. 

Jubilee: the First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream by KT Johnston

When Lis Hartel contracted polio and became paralyzed, she was told that she would be lucky to walk again and riding a horse was even less likely. During rehabilitation, Liz began training with horses for therapy. After years of hard work, Liz and Jubilee, her horse, made it to the 1952 Olympics and won a silver medal. 

Luge by Ashley Gish

If you’re looking to learn about one of the most thrilling sports of the Winter Games, this book is for you. Learn about the luge sleds, the aerodynamic gear, and the types of races that the athletes compete in. 

Swimming Toward a Dream by Reem Faruqu

Yusra Mardini swam in Syria with hopes to someday go to the Olympics, but when war came, she was no longer safe. This book recounts how she attempted to cross the sea looking for safety and how she eventually was invited to participate in the 2016 Olympics on the first-ever Refugee Team!

Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina

This beautiful book written in verse follows Alice Coachman’s journey from her segregated Georgia hometown in the 1930’s to becoming the first African American woman to ever win an Olympic Gold. 

Twist, Tumble, Triumph: The Story of Champion Gymnast Agnes Keleti by Kerry Olitzky

When Agnes was told Jewish athletes were not allowed in the gym any longer, she began to train in secret at a school gym with another teammate, Istvan Sarkany. It became even more difficult to train after Nazis began to patrol the streets of Budapest. This book portrays Agnes’s story as she never gave up on her dream and became an Olympic champion in 1952!

Who is Chloe Kim? by Stefanie Loh

Chloe Kim earned a gold medal at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018 at just 17 years old! Learn all about Chloe’s life and career as a snowboarder in this popular Who Is series book.

We hope this helps you further explore this topic!

- Stacy and Alyssa

February is Black History Month! Here is a list of amazing books to celebrate the month and continue reading throughout the year.

Picture Books

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Accompanied by powerful oil paintings, Kwame Alexander’s poem honors Black American History from the unspeakable horrors of slavery to Martin Luther King Jr. and Black Lives Matter. This book won both the Caldecott Medal and a Newbery Honor.

We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens

Inspired by a book about Black American Folktales, Rhiannon Giddens wrote a beautiful song and turned it into a powerful picture book. The beautiful illustrations, lyrical verses, and evocative repetition all depict the deep ancestral connection and spirituality intrinsic to this book. 

What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa 

This book is a beautiful celebration of a father’s love. 

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

This book pairs poetic text with gorgeous paintings to tell the beginnings of human civilization in Africa. Backmatter, including a timeline and author’s note, provides extra information about the innovations discussed throughout the book.

I Am More Than by Lebron James

This inspirational picture book features empowering affirmations and beautiful, inclusive illustrations.

Non-Fiction Books

Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating by Rose Viña 

This book tells the story of Mabel Fairbanks, a woman who overcame homelessness, racism, and segregation to follow her dream of Ice Skating. In her fight for equality, she became a coach and demanded that her students be treated fairly.

How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America by Kwame Alexander

This book travels through history through its music.  Alexander’s free-verse is accompanied by Palmer’s vibrant paintings. The background information provided in the back of the book allows readers to learn more about various types of music and references throughout the book.

Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington by Michael G. Long

This book follows Bayard Rustin, a Black, gay civil rights activist who, inspired by Gandhi’s pacifism and march to free India, helped plan the 1963 March on Washington.  

No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas by Tonya Bolden

This biography follows Junius G. Groves, a man born into slavery who became the richest Black man between the Missouri River and the Rockies. This book brings a little-known, heartwarming story to life with fun illustrations, quotes from Junius, and a timeline in the back of the book.

Middle Grade

Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen

Set in 1939 in Pre-Civil Rights North Carolina, this coming-of-age novel follows twelve-year-old Cato, who wants to be a baseball pitcher like his father, as he is accused of damaging a whites-only baseball field. This impactful book tackles racism and violence through the lens of sports, history, and family.

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

After getting in trouble due to a run-in with a school bully, eleven-year-old William is grounded and subjected to long lectures about his responsibilities as a black boy. When his grandmother invites him on a road trip, he excitedly agrees to the opportunity to escape his grounding. On their road trip, William learns about the Civil Rights Movement and his own family history.

New Kid by Jerry Craft

This graphic novel follows Jordan as he starts at his new private school, Riverdale Academy Day School, where great academics fail to keep rampant stereotypes at bay. This Newbery Medal recipient tackles themes of race, class, and identity with humor and vibrant art.

Curlfriends: Back in Business by Sharee Miller

This book follows Nola, who has never met a problem she can’t fix. When she hears that her mom’s salon may be in trouble, she wants to help any way that she can. This vibrant book is full of friendship and family. If you enjoy this book, make sure to read its prequel Curlfriends: New in Town.

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

This lyrical novel follows twelve-year-old Homer as he escapes from slavery with his younger sister, Ada, but having escaped, decides to turn back to save his mother. This moving historical novel informs readers about this often-overlooked period of history.