Cal Ripken, Jr My Story

A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a challenge in a sport or hobby and is tempted to quit, or when you want to introduce the concept of long-term dedication. This autobiography, told in Cal Ripken, Jr.'s own accessible voice, chronicles his journey from a baseball-obsessed kid to a legendary Hall of Famer. It focuses less on game statistics and more on the values instilled by his family: hard work, consistency, and integrity. For children ages 8 to 12, it's a powerful and relatable model of perseverance, showing that greatness is not just about talent, but about showing up every single day, especially when it's hard. It's an excellent choice for illustrating how passion combined with a strong work ethic leads to success.