Running, Racing & Biking Booklist

Tyson does everything too fast—often disrupting the class. His teacher is always saying, “Too fast, Tyson!” Then Suze joins the class. She wears a helmet, just like a race car driver, that matches her shiny red wheelchair. Tyson forms a special friendship with Suze, and teaches his classmates what it means to listen and understand others. Available in French as Amis instantanés.

Piper and Kayla love to move. They ride bikes, glide on ice, swoosh down mountains—each in her own way. This affirming and inclusive picture book shines a much-needed spotlight on kids who use special gear to navigate the world. Learn more about adaptive devices in the back matter. Available in French as Moi aussi, je peux !

In the refugee camp where he lived, seven-year-old Joseph wanted one thing—to ride a bike. In America, Joseph spots the perfect-sized bike. It belongs to a girl he names Whoosh. When she crashes her bike, Joseph fixes it and Whoosh offers him a ride. At first he is shaky, but soon he is riding, and the two new friends take turns until the moon comes up.

Michaela is a loner and, as a sprinter, this suited her well. But when the new school year begins, Michaela is determined to make new friends and fit in. She decides to give cross-country running a try. At least it’s running, and she’s good at that. But does Michaela have what it takes to be part of a team?

Fourteen-year-old Cade and his family are headed to the provincial triathlon championship. But the road trip takes a nasty turn when Cade's dad swerves to avoid a deer and their car hurtles into an icy river. It's up to Cade to swim, bike and run to save his entire family.

Lionel lives a lonely life in the shadows, staying invisible to avoid attracting the attention of bullies at school and at home. Then he discovers running. He is invited to join the track team and, even more surprisingly, he begins to make friends. Lionel desperately wants to be happy, even if it means doing the unthinkable—leaving the shadows forever.

Josie is a 400-metre runner and, in eighth grade, working towards qualifying for City Championships. As the big race approaches, she is missing the support of her father, who is dying of cancer. She has difficulty acknowledging his condition, but when his cancer becomes too advanced to ignore, she must find a way to say goodbye.

Levi, who has a theory for everything, has been Alba's best friend since forever. Alba was born with a left foot—which she calls Cleo—that is "directionally challenged" and now, after a final surgery, the last cast is coming off and Alba is determined to run in the sixth-grade cross-country race. Her decision causes a falling-out with Levi, who is preoccupied with wormholes.

Quinn has been called a superhero and a freak of nature. At age 13 he’s an amazing distance runner. He takes on the second-hardest challenge of his life when he enters his first ultra-marathon: a grueling 100-mile, 24-hour-long race that will push him to the very limit of his endurance.

Seventeen-year-old running star Jesse’s dreams of a scholarship end after her dad dies of a heart attack while coaching her. She escapes to a job as a summer camp counsellor, but a mix-up puts her in charge of a group of boy misfits. In the midst of chaos, Jesse finds the inspiration to run again from an unlikely source.

A freak accident changes everything for Leon. Suddenly, no more running, no scholarship, no college. Then he meets sassy Casey De Vries, and life doesn't look so bleak. She even gets him running again—no more sprinting, but longer distances. But something is not quite right with Casey. How can he help her if she won't tell him what’s going on?

Get into the habit of being active by participating in physical activity for 60 minutes a day! Not only does exercise build the body’s strength and endurance, it helps prevent injury and improves concentration and mood. This engaging book explains the benefits of regular exercise and offers simple activities and advice on fitting fitness in during the day.

This picture book biography tells the story of how Terry Fox came to run the Marathon of Hope: his love of sports; the bone cancer diagnosis; the hospital stay that inspired him to raise money for cancer research; dipping his artificial leg in the waters of St. John's, Newfoundland; and the heartbreaking moment his run ended. Available in French as Voici Terry Fox.

Join five young friends as they get ready for a swim meet! While the friends work hard, preparing their bodies and minds for the competition, they discover the benefits of physical fitness and learn about many important aspects of active, healthy living. This engaging introduction to physical and health education encourages children to see physical fitness as fun, social and rewarding.

A member of the Onondaga Nation, Tom Longboat was born on the Six Nations reserve in Oshwegen, near Brantford, Ontario. Despite poverty, poor training and prejudice, he went on to become one of the world’s best runners. In 1907, at the height of his fame, Longboat won the Boston Marathon and ran in the 1908 Olympic Marathon. He was one of the best-known people of his day, and certainly the most prominent member of the Six Nations. Throughout his career he had to race against opponents, as well as rumors of illegal running activities. Nevertheless, he maintained his dignity, and his achievements still inspire people who understand the great pleasure of running, and running fast.