A curated book list for young athletes, parents, and coaches seeking to develop mental toughness, resilience, and confidence through diverse storytelling formats—from practical guides to inspiring fiction. Presented by The Children’s Book Review in partnership with Jeff Greenwald.
These 5 Books Help Young Athletes Build Mental Strength and Overcome Challenges…
For young athletes, physical training is only part of the equation for success. Mental toughness—the ability to stay focused under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain confidence in the face of challenges—often determines who thrives and who struggles in competitive sports. These carefully selected books offer young athletes various pathways to developing resilience, whether through practical strategies, inspiring real-life stories, or relatable fictional characters facing similar challenges.
Spanning multiple genres and age ranges, this book list ensures that every young athlete can find a book that speaks to their experience and learning style. From a hands-on mental training guide to award-winning novels that explore the emotional complexities of sports, these books provide valuable tools for building the mental edge that separates good athletes from great ones.
Here are five essential books for developing mental toughness in youth sports:
The Mental Edge for Young Athletes: A World Champion’s Toughness Guide for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches in the Digital Age
Written by Jeff Greenwald, MFT
Ages 10+ | 209 Pages
Publisher: Greenwald Performance Publishing (2025) | ISBN-13: 979-8-9926109-1-8
Drawing from 25+ years of experience with thousands of young athletes, family therapist and elite mental coach Jeff Greenwald tackles performance anxiety and outcome obsession in youth sports. This comprehensive guide introduces the “mastery mindset” with 27 practical chapters designed specifically for young athletes. Through real-world examples and immediately applicable techniques, young competitors learn to build confidence, manage emotions, and develop an “inner remote control” for their minds under pressure. The book addresses the unique mental health challenges facing today’s teens while providing tools that translate beyond sports into academic and life success.
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The Crossover
Written by Kwame Alexander
Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
Ages 10+ | 240 Pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (2014) | ISBN-13: 978-0544107717
Winner of the 2015 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor, this powerful novel in verse follows twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan Bell as they navigate the pressures of competition, family expectations, and growing up. When their close relationship fractures and family tragedy strikes, the brothers must find the mental strength to overcome adversity both on and off the court. Alexander’s dynamic storytelling captures the rhythm of basketball while exploring themes of resilience, brotherhood, and finding the courage to face life’s biggest challenges. Perfect for reluctant readers who connect with sports.
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Ghost
Written by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 10-13 | 192 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (2016) | ISBN-13: 978-1481450157
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature, this electrifying novel follows seventh-grader Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw, who has been running from his traumatic past since the night his father chased him and his mother with a loaded gun. When Ghost challenges a sprinter at the local track and catches the eye of Coach Brody, he discovers that his survival skill might be his ticket to something better. As Ghost learns to channel his raw talent and anger into track and field, he must confront his demons and learn that you can’t run away from who you are, but you can run toward who you want to be. A powerful story about resilience, healing, and finding strength in community.
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The Running Dream
Written by Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 12+ | 352 Pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (2011) | ISBN-13: 978-0375866678
Winner of the ALA Schneider Family Award, this inspiring novel follows high school track star Jessica who loses her leg in a tragic accident. Told she’ll never run again, Jessica must rebuild not just her physical abilities but her entire identity and dreams. With the support of family, friends, and an unlikely friendship with Rosa, a girl with cerebral palsy, Jessica discovers that true strength comes from within. Van Draanen’s authentic portrayal of overcoming disability shows young athletes how to redefine success, adapt to challenges, and find new sources of motivation when their original goals seem impossible.
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Whale Talk
Written by Chris Crutcher
Ages: 14+ | 224 Pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (2001) | ISBN-13: 978-0688180195
An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, this powerful novel follows T.J. Jones, a multiracial adopted teenager who assembles the most unlikely swim team his high school has ever seen. When T.J. recruits a group of misfits—including a student with cognitive disabilities, a one-legged swimmer, and other outcasts—to challenge the school’s elitist athletics program, they discover that the journey toward earning their letter jackets teaches them more about courage, friendship, and dignity than winning ever could. Crutcher’s acclaimed story explores themes of resilience, standing up to injustice, and finding strength in community, showing how sports can heal trauma and build unbreakable bonds.
