If you are a fan of Mike Lupica, you probably enjoy stories about sports, especially those focused on young athletes. His books often highlight the drama of the game, the importance of teamwork, and characters who learn valuable lessons both on and off the field.
For those wanting to discover authors who capture a similar feeling in their writing, this article is for you.
Dan Gutman is an author whose books capture the excitement, humor, and team spirit of youth sports in a way fans of Mike Lupica will enjoy. In his novel “Honus & Me,” Gutman mixes the world of baseball cards with time travel.
Joe Stoshack, a young baseball fan, discovers he has the ability to travel in time when holding old baseball cards.
When he finds himself face to face with baseball legend Honus Wagner, Joe experiences firsthand the thrill of the early days of professional baseball and learns valuable lessons beyond the field.
Gutman’s lively storytelling style and creative plots offer readers an engaging blend of sports action, history, and adventure.
Tim Green is a former NFL player turned author who writes exciting sports novels for young readers. His book “Football Genius” follows twelve-year-old Troy, a kid with an amazing talent—he can predict football plays before they happen.
Troy wants to help his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons, but he has trouble convincing anyone to listen to him. The story mixes fast-paced football action with relatable issues about family, friendship, and trust.
Fans of Mike Lupica will enjoy Tim Green’s characters and the realistic way he captures the thrill of sports on and off the field.
If you enjoy Mike Lupica’s blend of sports action and relatable young characters, you might also appreciate Matt Christopher’s books. Christopher wrote stories that put you right into the excitement and challenges of playing sports as a kid.
In “The Kid Who Only Hit Homers,” he introduces readers to Sylvester, a boy who struggles on the baseball field until meeting a mysterious mentor named George.
Suddenly, Sylvester starts hitting home runs every game, and his confidence grows—but he wonders if his newfound success is truly earned. The story mixes the thrill of baseball with questions about fairness and self-belief, making it hard to put down until the final pitch.
Books by John Feinstein offer sports fans an inside look into the competitive world of athletics, bringing the passion and tension of the game vividly to life.
Feinstein is a sportswriter known for his engaging and insightful style, similar to Mike Lupica’s approach to storytelling, with relatable characters and authentic portrayals of sports culture.
In “Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery,” Feinstein introduces readers to Stevie and Susan Carol, two young reporters who uncover a potential scandal involving a star college basketball player at the NCAA Final Four tournament.
The story blends suspense, behind-the-scenes detail, and realistic sports drama, keeping readers eagerly flipping pages to discover the truth. While capturing the thrill of basketball, Feinstein highlights issues of integrity and determination faced by athletes off the court.
Phil Bildner is an author known for engaging children’s books that blend sports with relatable life lessons. His book “A Whole New Ballgame” introduces readers to Rip and Red, two best friends excited about their upcoming fifth-grade basketball season.
But when they find out their spirited new teacher, Mr. Acevedo, doesn’t believe in traditional homework and tests, the school year takes an unexpected turn.
As Rip and Red navigate basketball practices and their unconventional classroom, the story highlights friendship, teamwork, and staying open to new experiences.
Fans of Mike Lupica who appreciate sports stories mixed with strong characters and relatable school situations will find plenty to enjoy in Bildner’s writing.
If you enjoy Mike Lupica’s emotional sports stories that highlight real-life challenges, you might appreciate Kwame Alexander’s work. Alexander writes novels in verse that blend sports, family drama, and growing pains in a relatable style meant for young readers.
In his book “The Crossover,” he introduces readers to Josh Bell, who loves basketball but faces tension as his twin brother finds his own path both on and off the court.
The rhythm and pace of Alexander’s storytelling move quickly, reflecting the excitement of a tight game and the ups and downs of teenage life.
Clear, engaging, and centered on themes like competition, brotherhood, and the struggle to balance personal ambition with family loyalty, “The Crossover” offers the kind of heartfelt storytelling readers of Lupica often seek.
Readers who enjoy Mike Lupica’s sports-centered stories might find Jason Reynolds equally appealing. Reynolds often writes novels about young people facing realistic challenges, especially when it comes to sports, teamwork, and personal struggles.
His novel “Ghost” follows Castle Cranshaw, who goes by the nickname Ghost, a kid who discovers he’s incredibly talented at running after he impulsively joins a track team.
Ghost wrestles with memories from his past and tough issues at home, while learning the discipline and teamwork needed to succeed on the track. Readers will root for Ghost as he tries to find his place and run toward a brighter future.
Readers who enjoy the fast-paced sports stories of Mike Lupica may also appreciate books by Carl Deuker. Deuker writes exciting novels that capture the intensity of sports and real-life challenges faced by his characters.
In “Gym Candy,” he introduces Mick Johnson, a talented high school football player determined to live up to his father’s athletic legacy. Driven by the pressure to succeed on the field, Mick becomes tempted by steroids as a shortcut to strength and fame.
The story portrays Mick’s internal struggle with honesty, ambition, and the dangerous consequences of doping.
Carl Deuker combines thrilling sports action with deep, relatable themes about growing up, making his books appealing to readers looking for gripping and thought-provoking sports fiction.
Chris Crutcher is an author who skillfully blends sports, realistic teenage experiences, and complex personal challenges into dynamic narratives.
His novel “Whale Talk” centers around T.J. Jones, an athletic yet rebellious high schooler asked to assemble a swim team from students who don’t fit in anywhere else.
Through their unlikely camaraderie, T.J. and his teammates face prejudice, personal insecurities, and difficult family situations. Crutcher brings readers into their lives and illustrates how sports can become a source of identity, courage, and acceptance.
Fans of Mike Lupica’s sports-focused coming-of-age stories will instantly connect with the emotional depth and authenticity in Crutcher’s work.
Rich Wallace writes sports-themed stories that capture real-life emotions and challenges for young readers. In his book “Wrestling Sturbridge,” Wallace paints an authentic picture of small-town sports ambition.
The story follows Ben, a high school wrestler who battles not only opponents on the mat but also the pressure and frustration of always finishing second to his own teammate.
For readers who enjoy Mike Lupica’s blend of sports action and relatable teen struggles, this story offers both engaging sports moments and genuine insights into perseverance and growing up.
Stuart Gibbs writes adventurous and exciting novels for younger readers, filled with humor, action, and smart kids who solve mysteries. If you enjoy Mike Lupica’s fast-paced, sporty adventures, you might check out Gibbs’ book, “Spy School.”
In this story, Ben Ripley, a smart but clumsy twelve-year-old, is recruited into a secret spy academy. Instead of math tests and cafeteria lunches, Ben suddenly faces weapons training, secret codes, and mysterious double agents.
But things quickly go wrong, and Ben ends up in the middle of a real-life spy crisis. The fun characters and clever twists keep the pages turning, giving readers plenty of exciting moments along the way.
Books by Gordon Korman often appeal to readers who enjoy Mike Lupica’s stories about sports and young heroes. In Korman’s novel “Restart,” readers meet Chase Ambrose, a star football player and school bully who wakes up after an accident with no memory of his past.
Chase must figure out who he used to be, but he’s not sure he likes the person described by others. Korman captures the challenges of middle school friendships, social pressures, and personal changes with humor and genuine heart.
Readers who like realistic characters and uplifting sports themes will find Korman’s work satisfying and relatable.
If you enjoy Mike Lupica’s stories about young people facing real-life challenges, consider reading Lisa Fipps’s book “Starfish.” The novel follows Ellie, a girl who loves the water but struggles with insecurities caused by bullying over her weight.
Ellie’s story is honest and emotional, as she learns to stand up for herself and becomes comfortable in her own skin. Lisa Fipps brings humor, honesty, and sensitivity to this relatable story about friendship, courage, and self-acceptance.
Readers who enjoy Mike Lupica’s blend of relatable characters, realistic challenges, and emotional depth will likely appreciate books by Ben Mikaelsen.
Mikaelsen often writes stories centered around young protagonists who face issues of adversity, self-discovery, and personal growth. A great example is his novel “Touching Spirit Bear.”
The story centers on Cole Matthews, a troubled and aggressive teenager, sent to an isolated Alaskan island as part of an alternative rehabilitation program called Circle Justice.
Alone in the wild, he confronts a mysterious white bear that profoundly impacts his perception of responsibility and forgiveness. It’s an engaging story about how past mistakes shape lives, the power of nature, and second chances.
Readers who enjoy Mike Lupica’s energetic blend of sports action and intriguing mystery will appreciate Josh Berk’s style. Berk’s book “Strike Three, You’re Dead” features Lenny Norbeck, a baseball enthusiast who dreams of becoming a big-league announcer.
When a promising young pitcher suddenly collapses during a televised game, Lenny senses something suspicious. Together with his two best friends, he digs into clues to unravel the truth behind this gripping baseball mystery.
Berk combines sharp humor, relatable characters, and the thrill of America’s favorite pastime into a story that keeps readers guessing right up to the end.