Derek Jeter

This is a hard cover book, mostly photos in both colour and black and white, with mostly very short captions or paragraphs, about Jeter's final year playing major league baseball. He is one of the only members of the Yankees to have played his entire career (20 years) with the same team, and to have reached the milestone of 3000 hits. Jeter is also, in my opinion, one of the few players of class, that is, a decent human being both on and off the field. In this age of baseball being more a show more business and less a real game of *fun*, and with so many spoiled, egotistical and money greedy players, the Derek Jeters of the game are almost non-existent any more. I was never a Yankees fan but was always a Jeter fan. The respect paid him by fans and ball clubs throughout the entire baseball system during his final year, speaks volumes about the man.

This is a coffee table type of book but easily read in one sitting show less

Baseball fans across the country have been watching with interest and sadness as New York Yankees captain and baseball icon Derek Jeter is playing out his last year in baseball. Many people wonder what he will do next, and his answer is : become a publisher.

Jeter has his own publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster, where he will publish books by authors he finds have an something interesting to say. The first book under the Jeter Publishing imprint is for children ages 8-12 titled The show more Contract. Jeter wrote it with Paul Mantell, and it is based on his own life as a Little Leaguer.

Young Derek Jeter, called 'old man' by his mom because he went to school in a suit and carrying a briefcase, is a talented baseball player and a serious student. When his classroom teacher assigns the students an essay describing their realistic future dreams, Derek really wants to write that his future plans include playing shortstop for the New York Yankees.

He discusses this with his parents, who encourage him to realize how difficult it will be, but with his excellent work ethic and determination and practice, he can do just that.

Derek signs up for Little League and ends up playing on a team with his best friend Vijay. He wants to play shortstop, but the coach's son is the star shortstop with a bad attitude.

Much of the book describes in detail many of the Little League games, and children who love baseball will so enjoy the thrilling play-by-play. But this book is also one parents should read to or with their children.

Derek would not be the great player he is today were it not for his parents. They created a contract for Derek, detailing what he needs to do to set himself on a path to achieving his dream. The items include respecting himself and others, doing his chores, being a good role model for his younger sister, maintaining good grades and the number one rule is family comes first.

The Contract not only teaches children how to be responsible, it can help parents with their own parenting skills. The Jeters are good role models for their two children, and hold them both to high standards, knowing that it is the key to raising good citizens.

I liked how important school is to Derek, how he works as hard at school as he does at baseball. And Derek is not a perfect child here; he gets frustrated and angry, but when he makes a mistake, he tries to be better.

The final scene is a sweet one, with Derek playing catch with his grandma, with whom he and his sister spend their summers. They clearly have a loving relationship, as many young children do.

I highly recommend The Contract for both children who like baseball, as well as their parents. It would make a wonderful gift for the young baseball fan in your life, and it would be a terrific addition to your child's school library. show less

I love this book! Love it! It is mostly pictures of Derek, and his friends & family & teammates & games. It is a nicely made book. Some of the pictures are in black & white and some are in color. The pictures are combined with commentary in Jeter's voice. The commentary is very smooth, very slick...full of cliches & received wisdom. There is almost no actual content. I guess a person could tease out some content -- he talks about his small circle of friends & a person could notice who isn't show more there. But why worry about it?

One thing worried me -- he said his father had never missed a game & I tried to imagine that. When he was being scouted his father worked as a substance abuse counselor, with a doctoral degree in something relevant. But did his father go to all his minor league games? To every Yankees game for 20 years? show less

I thought this was a great read for young readers, especially for those who enjoy baseball. The plot was well thought out as it describes what a young Derek Jeter does on and off of the baseball field as he progressed to eventually become a major league baseball player. The writing was also well done because it helped me as reader visualize what Derek was going through at particular parts of the story, and it helped me learn that life can be difficult at times, but it its important to keep show more your head up and be strong. The book also presents good morals for young kids outside the baseball field to be outstanding members of their community and families. The main message of the book is to always think before you act (hit and miss). show less