We continue our series of posts featuring some of the best books in the CA Library collection — today’s featured titles are all about Sports. Follow the links for each book to learn more from the CA Library catalog!

If an eBook and/or audiobook is available, links are also provided (Sora login is required).

All The Things We Never Knew by Liara Tamani — Carli and Rex have an immediate connection, an understanding that must mean first love, but family secrets, disappointments–and basketball, which holds center stage in both their lives–all create complications. “Tamani crafts layers of complexity around falling in love, making hard choices, and dealing with loss — on and off the court — in this deeply intimate story of two talented, sensitive teens” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer — Between endless drills and grueling practices, Susan Klintock discovers she might actually love soccer. But being a part of the first girls’ team at school means dealing with other challenges. As friendships shifts, she finds her real passions might lie in places she didn’t expect when the season began — and that discovering who she is will mean taking risks, both on and off the pitch. “Susan deals with changing friendships, gets soccer tips from a neighborhood boy, handles her father’s remarriage, and experiences 1970s-era sexism and feminism firsthand, but each thread feels essential and tightly developed. Simply put, this is a delight” (Booklist). Get the Audiobook

The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life by Mark Synnott — The story of Mark and Alex’s decade long friendship, the climbing sphere that the two came of age in, and how a quiet kid from Sacramento California grew up to capture the attention of the entire globe by redefining the limits of human potential through hard work, discipline, and a deep respect for the natural world. “A heart-pounding adventure that will pull in any reader who is looking to live life to its fullest” (School Library Journal). Get the eBook

Kneel by Candace Buford — For guys like Russell Boudreaux, football is the only way out of their small town. As the team’s varsity tight end, Rus has a singular goal: to get a scholarship and play on the national stage. But when his best friend is unfairly arrested and kicked off the team, Rus faces an impossible choice: speak up or live in fear. “Sports’ biggest social movement moment of the decade gets a special homage” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin — After Mara is kicked off the basketball team for fighting, her coach gives her an ultimatum — go one season on another team sport without losing her temper or her basketball hiatus will be permanent. After three other girls follow Mara’s lead and join the football team, she’s forced to confront her misconceptions about gender and her arch-nemesis. “Fiercely charming and achingly relatable—a glorious, empowering touchdown” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the Audiobook

One Life by Megan Rapinoe and Sarah Durand — You may know Megan Rapinoe as an international soccer superstar — but she’s also a fierce activist, boldly speaking out about issues of equality and justice–from LGBTQ rights to the equal pay movement to Black Lives Matter. “Even the nonsporty will find much to appreciate in this inspiring and engagingly written book. A captivating sports memoir that puts social justice at the forefront” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the Audiobook

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen — Getting into a fender-bender with a beautiful rival after an embarrassing loss to her ex, a talented basketball athlete reluctantly agrees to a carpool arrangement before an opportunity for revenge leads to an unlikely relationship. “Pulling vibes from classic 1990s movies such as She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, this campy and fun queer romance is a breath of fresh air” (School Library Journal). Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maraniss — Bestselling author Maraniss tells the story of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League Baseball player — from his childhood growing up in Oakland, his journey to the MLB and the World Series, the joy in discovering who he really was, to more difficult times: facing injury, addiction, and the AIDS epidemic. “Extensive back matter proves to be as essential reading as the main text. This remarkable tribute to a trailblazer is narrative nonfiction at its finest” (School Library Journal). Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

We Are The Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian — A toxic field hockey coach finds himself outplayed by the high school girls on his team in this deeply suspenseful novel, which unspools over twenty-four hours through six diverse perspectives. “A fresh, beautifully written look at high school sports that sparkles with strong female athletes” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the eBook

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry — Set in the coastal town of Danvers, Massachusetts, where the accusations began that led to the 1692 witch trials…join the 1989 Danvers High School Falcons field hockey team, who will do anything to make it to the state finals-even if it means tapping into some devilishly dark powers. “Barry’s unique historical novel is full of wit, uplifting friendships, and riveting field hockey games” (School Library Journal).