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Football / Mystery

Foul Play

Tom Palmer

Danny loves two things: football and solving crimes. When his hero Sam Roberts is kidnapped, Danny sets out to crack the case. A fast, short, dyslexia-friendly thriller (Barrington Stoke) that hooks reluctant readers from page one.

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Biography

Sterling

Ultimate Football Heroes series

The inspiring true story of Raheem Sterling's journey from a tough start in life to Premier League and England stardom. Short chapters and simple language make this a brilliant first 'proper' biography for football fans.

⭐ Need something even more accessible?

For students who love sport but find reading hard going — including students with dyslexia — Barrington Stoke publish short, teen-interest sports books written specifically to be easier to read. The stories are just as exciting and age-appropriate as any other sports book, but printed in a clearer font, on tinted paper, and edited to remove unnecessary barriers, so students can focus on enjoying the story rather than struggling with the text. Ask us for a copy of their free catalogue, or visit barringtonstoke.co.uk to browse titles suited to your child.

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Basketball / Verse Novel

The Crossover

Kwame Alexander

Told in fast, rhythmic verse, twin brothers Josh and JB navigate basketball, family and growing up. A multi-award-winning novel that reads far quicker than its page count suggests — perfect for boys who find ordinary prose heavy going.

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Nonfiction / Motivation

You Are a Champion

Marcus Rashford with Carl Anka

Part memoir, part life-guide, Marcus Rashford shares the mindset and habits that took him from Wythenshawe to Manchester United and the England squad. Practical, honest and full of relatable advice on resilience and self-belief.

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Athletics / Fiction

Ghost (Track series, Book 1)

Jason Reynolds

Castle 'Ghost' Crenshaw has never had a coach — until an Olympian spots his natural talent for running. A gritty, honest story about anger, belonging and finding your team, from an award-winning author.

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Nonfiction / Fitness Science

The World's Fittest Book

Ross Edgley

A genuinely funny, fact-packed guide to training, nutrition and the science of fitness from one of Britain's best-known endurance athletes. A brilliant bridge into GCSE PE topics for sport-mad readers.

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Nonfiction / Sport Psychology

Bounce

Matthew Syed

Table tennis champion turned journalist Matthew Syed explores what really creates sporting talent — practice, mindset and opportunity, not just 'natural gift'. An essential, highly readable text for PE and Sport Studies students.

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Nonfiction / Sport Science

The Sports Gene

David Epstein

A rigorous, engaging look at the genetics and science behind elite performance — from sprinters to marathoners to high-altitude athletes. Excellent wider reading for A-Level PE and Sport Science students.

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Fiction / Identity & Mental Health

Whale Talk

Chris Crutcher

T.J. forms an unlikely swim team from the school's outsiders, taking on a small town's prejudice along the way. A powerful, widely-used sixth form novel exploring masculinity, identity and mental health through sport — American setting, but a firm favourite in UK sixth forms.

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Fiction / Short Stories

Athletic Shorts

Chris Crutcher

Six short stories following characters from Crutcher's other novels, each using sport as a way into bigger themes — grief, sexuality, family and self-worth. A great option for older students who want something substantial but not a full novel.