Fair Ball

Drawing on Derek Jeter's own childhood, this middle grade novel is the fourth title in the Jeter Publishing Program. Its central lesson is that fairness is not guaranteed. Readers learn that while a person cannot control what happens to them, they can decide how they respond, and that persistence matters more than giving up when things go badly.

Derek is looking ahead to summer. The school year is nearly over, his Little League team is headed for the Westwood playoffs, and a stay at his grandparents' home is coming soon. He still has finals to prepare for, and he hopes this might be the year he outscores his classmate Gary on grades. His plans change when his best friend, Dave, begins acting oddly, avoiding Derek and cancelling their get-togethers. Derek wonders whether Dave still wants to be his friend.

Worried about Dave, Derek misjudges a play in the outfield during a crucial moment, and his team loses. With the championship on the line and exams approaching, he has to regain his focus or lose everything he has worked for.