With so much technology out there, like game consoles and TV shows, it can be hard to get kids into reading.
Reading is essential, and it's where children can learn empathy and about different cultures, dreams can be lived out between the pages, and where they can learn how the top footballers become the best.
These books have been proven to appeal to even the most reluctant readers and are guaranteed to entertain any girl or boy who's football crazy. From galactic football matches to inspiring refugee teams, there's sure to be something kids, teens, and grown-ups of all ages will enjoy.
If you prefer to listen to your books rather than read them, Audible offers a 30-day free trial for new customers, giving you access to many of the titles included on this list.
Shop: The 24 best children's football books
Striking Out by Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga
ScholasticRecommended reading age: Older children and teenagers
His own story inspired this recently published debut novel from the super striker Ian Wright. This uplifting follows 13-year-old Jerome Jackson, who dreams of being a world-class footballer but struggles with his difficult home life.
Look Inside Football by Rob Lloyd Jones
Usborne PublishingRecommended reading age: 5-7 years
This beautifully illustrated board book teaches little ones lots about football, including history and how to run a local club.
Outcasts United by Warren St. John
Random House BooksRecommended reading age: 12-15 years
Based on the adult bestseller, this true story has been specially adapted for young readers. It tells the story of the Fugees, a football team brought together by a young Jordanian immigrant who created a program for kids from war-torn countries, which inspired a community.
You Are a Champion by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka
Macmillan Children's BooksRecommended reading age: 10-14 years
Rashford's charitable influence has helped feed hungry children up and down the country, and his goals have inspired many. He wrote this motivational book to help kids reach their full potential, use their voice for change, and feel comfortable in their skin.
Girls FC series by Helena Pielichaty
Walker BooksRecommended reading age: 7-12 years
Girls FC is a 12-book series about 12 friends who start an all-girls football team, aka "the best football team in the world," after struggling to get the attention of the school coach. Each humorous book follows a different teammate's unique story for a rollercoaster journey of friendship and football.
Get them from Amazon for £3.17
Booked by Kwame Alexander
HMH BooksRecommended reading age: 12-17 years
Author Kwame Alexander is a poet who has written this novel about a football-obsessed 13-year-old boy entirely in verse. The story unfolds through an attention-grabbing medium that kids and especially reluctant readers love.
Paul Faustino series by Mal Peet
Walker Books Recommended reading age: 12-16 years
Fictional South American journalist Paul Faustino sits down with three interesting characters during this series and takes the reader on a journey full of mystery and intrigue. They tackle subjects such as slavery and Amazonian environmentalism while doubling as a football-themed thriller for kids.
Get them from Amazon for £6.53
The Dream Team: Jaz Santos vs. The World by Priscilla Mante
PuffinRecommended reading age: 8-12 years
Jaz Santos vs. The World is the first in a new book series about a young girl's self-made football team for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. It's an incredible story of self-empowerment and belief that will get kids to dream bigger. The second book doesn't come out until next year, so there's still plenty of time to get reading.
MUNDIAL Subscription
MundialFor fans of cult football magazine MUNDIAL, treat them to a subscription to the mag. Boasting benefits, including a Club Mundial membership card with partner discount codes for Classic Football Shirts, Art of Football, Percival and All Press coffee. A welcome postcard pack featuring all five cover stars. Discounts to Mundial merchandise, subscriber-only events, and more.
Football School Epic Heroes by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
Walker BooksRecommended reading age: 7+ years
Perfect for any young football fan to discover some of the larger-than-life truths found in the game's history, this collection of half a century of incredible stories spills the beans on some of the most significant moments the game has ever seen.
Football Jokes by Macmillan Children's Books
Macmillan Children's BooksRecommended reading age: 7-9 years
Does what it says on the tin, this is a book full of absolutely cheesy jokes that kids will love reading out loud. A highlight? "Q: Who's in goal when the ghost team plays football? A: The ghoulie, of course."
Billy the Kid by Michael Morpurgo
Harper Collins Children’s BooksRecommended reading age: 9-11 years
Veteran children's author Morpurgo has often featured football among his stories. Still, this tale - of a Chelsea boy wonder whose career is cut short by the advent of WWII - bleeds together the joys of the game with the ups and downs of life in a gripping, ultimately heart-warming fashion.
Get the boxset from Amazon for £5.03
Hey Duggee: The Football Badge by Hey Duggee
BBC Children's BooksRecommended reading age: 2-6 years
Short and simple, this board book featuring a popular children's television character serves as a neat introduction to the beautiful game for infants, mixing up their favourites as they attempt to learn how to score a goal - that is, if they can remember to play the right way!
The Football Shirt by Catherine McPhail
CollinsRecommended reading age: 10-11 years (Year 6)
This football book is from the Pearl band range of the Collins Big Cat scheme. This is a mystery story where a little boy sees the football shirt he's been saving up for pinned to a tree. The only problem is it's commemorating the death of a young boy. Ross takes it home with him anyway. The story teaches citizenship and plays with the idea of morality.
The Stars Are Playing Football by Chris Rebel
Cyclops PublishingRecommended reading age: 3-8 years
This picture storybook tells the story of an all-night galactic game of football with players from all over the galaxy. It teaches children the importance of inclusivity and acceptance when things don't always go to plan. It's the perfect imaginative bedtime story to send your little ones into dreamland.
The Dog That Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle
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Barrington StokeRecommended reading age: 8-12 years
This quirky, heartfelt and humorous book is told from the perspective of Pickles, the dog who loves playing football with his two-legged best friend, Elsie. Two real stories inspire it, and through the football fanatics, there is the story of a Dad trying his best to provide for his little family.
Own Goal by Paul Stewart
Barrington StokeRecommended reading age: 8-12 years
Minutes before winning the school's cup final, protagonist Scott scores an own goal. After the match, a nasty message about him is written on the wall. It's a funny story about friendship, acceptance, and owning up to your mistakes. This book has a dyslexia-friendly layout.
The Big Book of Football by Mundial
Wide Eyed EditionsRecommended reading age: 6-12 years
From the creators of the quarterly football magazine, Mundial comes this whopper of a book that is cool, charming and full of quirky information. Serving as a guide to all things football, kids and adults alike will have hours of fun poring over all the fun details and colourful illustrations.
The Ultimate Football Maths Book by Azure Sky
Independently PublishedRecommended reading age: 6-10 years
This book aims to get disinterested kids interested in maths by using football imaging and ideas instead of regular numbers. This workbook covers addition, subtraction, multiplication and division but also has fun little non-math activities scattered throughout to keep the child's attention.
The Football Trials: Kick Off by John Hickman
Bloomsbury EducationRecommended reading age: 12+ years
This book is part of the Bloomsbury High/Low reading scheme, which aims to create exciting and age-appropriate stories for readers of 12+ with dyslexia, with English as a second language or who struggle to read. This coming-of-age story follows a boy from a tower block as he joins a Premier League academy.
Unbelievable Football 2: How Football Can Change the World by Matt Oldfield
Wren & RookRecommended reading age: 8-12 years
Football can so often be a force for good across the globe, outside of what its stars manage to achieve on the pitch - and this gem of a book dives into some of those unsung stories, and how they have improved the lives of others around them.
Roy of the Rovers: Scouted by Tom Palmer
REBCARecommended reading age: 8+
Adults may remember Roy of the Rovers from back in the day, but he's had a makeover and is repackaged and revived for today's kids. Roy Race is 16 years old with dreams of playing for Melchester Rovers, and he's finally about to get his chance. Scouted is the first in a series of six illustrated novels.
Get the first book from Amazon for £6.35
Football Superstars by Simon Mugford
Welbeck PublishingRecommended reading age: 5+
There are many books in the Football Superstars collection, with even more on the way, each totalling 128 pages. They're designed for fans of Tom Gates books and are jam-packed with information about specific players, including how they became superstars.
Get them from Amazon for £5.99
The Charlie Fry Series by Martin Smith
CreateSpace Independent Publishing PlatformRecommended reading age: 7-13 years
The Charlie Fry series is an epic saga about achieving your footballing dreams and overcoming adversity. 11-year-old protagonist Charlie Fry has Cystic Fibrosis, but that doesn't stop him from playing football. There are seven books in this series, including The Football Girl Wonder.
Get them from Amazon for £5.99
Classic Football Heroes by Matt Oldfield and Tom Oldfield
Recommended reading age: 8-12 years
These books are uber-popular, with over a million copies being sold. They are simple (unofficial) biographies aimed at children, so they read like a story that will entertain them. There are so many of these out there, with all the best football players of all time getting a feature.