The Winter Olympics is underway in Beijing, and figure skaters from around the world are dazzling with innovative, exceptional programs. Here are five titles to hand to young readers who are avidly watching every jump, spin, and twizzle.

Fujimura, Sara. Every Reason We Shouldn’t. Tor Teen. Mar. 2020. ISBN 9781250204073.
Gr 7 Up–Sixteen-year-old pairs figure skater Olivia Kennedy hasn’t felt like herself since her disastrous performance at Skate Detroit. When Olympic speed skating hopeful Jonah Choi begins practicing at her rink and attending her high school, she finds someone who understands what it means to be a competitive teenage athlete. As she begins a relationship with Jonah, Olivia begins to rediscover her passion for skating and build the confidence to make a comeback. 

Iacopelli, Jennifer. Finding Her Edge. Penguin/Razorbill. Feb. 2022. ISBN 9780593350362.
Gr 8 Up–The Russo name is infamous in ice skating: Adriana’s father runs the most respected rink in the country. Adriana, too tall for her father’s standard for figure skating, performs as an ice dancer with her partner, Brayden. Older sister Elisa is a singles figure skater, about to compete in the Olympics; younger sister Maria skates pairs. Adriana and Brayden start to attract paparazzi on the coattails of her sister’s reality show fame, so the pair decides to fake a relationship to take advantage of the media attention (and possible sponsorships). However, Adriana soon finds herself in a love triangle with all-too-real feelings. 

Manta, Karina. On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating. Knopf. Oct. 2021. ISBN 9780593308462.
Gr 7 Up–Karina Manta dedicated her life to ice skating from a young age, moving away from friends and family to train and compete with the best of the best. Through struggles with panic attacks, an eating disorder, and embracing her bisexuality, she clung to her love of ice dancing and rose to the prestigious ranks of Team USA and Cirque du Soleil. This approachable, self-acceptance focused memoir is highly recommended for all teen collections and has a wide appeal that will extend to middle school audiences.

Murphy, Frank with Surya Bonaly. Fearless Heart: An Illustrated Biography of Surya Bonaly. illus. by Anastasia Magloire Williams. Triumph. Jan. 2022. ISBN 9781629379340.
K-Gr 3–This illustrated biography of French figure skater Surya Bonaly is told in poems (“Her Dawn,” “Her Dream,” “Her Rise,” etc.), with artwork as vibrant and glittery as an Olympic routine. A tad uneven, but with standout illustrations; this title is a good choice for libraries where books about groundbreaking athletes such as Raven Wilkinson (Leda Shubert’s Trailblazer) and Misty Copeland (her own Firebird) are popular.

Rush, Lynn & Kelly Anne Blount. In the Penalty Box. Entangled Teen. Jan. 2021. ISBN 9781682815762. 
Gr 9 Up–When Willow is injured, her hopes of figure skating at the Olympics are crushed. Moving back home to Woodhaven to recover, she finds herself propelled into an ice sport she had always written off: hockey. With the newfound comfort of team comradery and a crush on team captain Brodie, Willow finds herself becoming whole once again. Spending time together on and off the ice, Willow and Brodie navigate a forbidden love alongside the struggles of family challenges. This story of perseverance that will appeal to romance readers and ice sport fanatics.