Every four years, the Summer Olympics earn a new legion of fans among children who are experiencing the wonder of the world's largest sporting event—and one of our oldest shared traditions—for the first time. Adults and kids alike are mesmerized by the world's most incredible athletes as we watch them break records, achieve new milestones, and show us just how phenomenal humans can really be.
Below are ten children's biographies, each of which explore the life of a famous athlete. Most have been Olympians, and some of them are competing this year! From gymnasts to baseball players to soccer stars, each of these athletes is inspiring in their own way.
This list fulfills a prompt in our 2024 Kids Summer Reading Challenge! Learn more and join here.
The Story of Simone Biles
A current competitor at the 2024 Olympics, Simone Biles is perhaps the best gymnast of all time. When she was 22 years old, she had already won five Olympic medals and 25 World Champion medals. Now 27, she might add even more medals to her collection!
The Story of Serena Williams
Growing up, Serena Williams faced discrimination, injuries, and many other challenges, but she trained hard to be the best player she could be. All her hard work paid off—she became one of the best tennis players in the world, winning four Olympic gold medals and 23 Grand Slam women's singles titles.
The Story of Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth Jr., better known as Babe Ruth, was one of the first American baseball stars. Though he grew up poor and was known as a trouble maker, his talent was discovered by the minor leagues while he was at boarding school—and the rest is history!
The Story of Jackie Robinson
Another baseball legend, Jackie Robinson was the first Black Major League player and a civil rights leader. Before Jackie, Black and white players always played on separate teams—but that changed when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Using his incredible talent and peaceful protest, Jackie helped work toward ending the unfair treatment of Black players.
The Story of Misty Copeland
In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to be promoted to a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. Misty made her transition to ballet later than most professional dancers—as a young girl she loved watching gymnastics and dancing on her drill team, but she didn't start ballet until she was 13!
Carli Lloyd
Carli Lloyd was an incredible soccer player who played for the US women's teams at the FIFA world cup and multiple Olympic games. She was a key player who scored right when her team needed her. In 2008, she scored the winning goal that won the US a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, and then she did the same thing in London in 2012!
Buster Posey
A former catcher for the Sand Francisco Giants, Buster Posey was an amazing baseball player. In 2010 he was named the Rookie of the Year, and in 2012, he won the National League batting title and was named MVP!
Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin is a World Cup alpine skier who has the most World Cup wins of any alpine skier in history—man or woman! In 2014 she competed at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and helped Team USA win a gold medal in slalom, making her the youngest person ever to do so!
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey first showed the world she was an fighter worth watching at the 2008 Olympics, where she earned a bronze medal in judo. Since then she's become a household name and one of MMA's biggest superstars.
Basketball Superstar Kevin Durant
One of today's most popular basketball players, Kevin Durant is a player for the Phoenix Suns. He's also helping represent the US at the 2024 Olympics, and helped USA win gold medals in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
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