London 2012 Olympics
July 27 - August 12, 2012

The theme for the upcoming Olympic Games is Inspire a Generation. Great books have the power to inspire, so I've put together an in-no-way-all-encompassing list of amazing children's fiction and nonfiction titles about the Olympics. And a few books about London, too. Let the inspiration flow.

100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History by Bud Greenspan
Amazing Olympic Athlete Wilma Rudolph by Mary Dodson Wade
Ancient Greece and the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne
B Is for Big Ben: An England Alphabet by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Decathlon, High Jump, and Other Field Events by Jason Page
Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Olympic Gold by Deloris Jordan
Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery (Geronimo Stilton #33)
Going for Gold! by Andrew Donkin
Going for the Gold by Michele Lyons
Gold Medal Murder (Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mystery #4)
Great Moments in the Summer Olympics by Matt Christopher
Gymnastics Events by Jason Page
High-Tech Olympics by Nick Hunter
Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #16)
How to Train with a T-Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps
Jesse Owens: Running Into History by Elaine Israel
Jim Thorpe: Greatest Athlete in the World by Jennifer Fandel (graphic novel)
London by Richard Platt
Martial Arts, Boxing, and Other Combat Sports by Jason Page
Olympic Basketball by Adam B. Hofstetter
Olympic Dream by Matt Christopher
Olympic Wrestling by Barbara M. Linde
Rowing, Sailing, and Other Sports on the Water by Jason Page
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympic Games by John Feinstein
So You Think You Know the Olympics by Clive Gifford
Sprints, Hurdles, and Other Track Events by Jason Page
Story of the Olympics by Minna Lacey
Swifter, Higher, Stronger: A Photographic History of the Summer Olympics
by Sue Macy
Swimming, Diving, and Other Water Sports by Jason Page
Tomorrow's Olympian by Alison Peters
Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina
Track and Field Takedown by Jake Maddox
A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Greek Athlete!: Races You'd Rather Not Run
by Michael Ford