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The Contract #4
Fair Ball
Inspired by Derek Jeter’s own life, Fair Ball is the fourth middle grade novel in the New York Times bestselling Jeter Publishing Program and focuses on the theme “the world isn’t always fair.”
Life isn’t always fair. You can’t control that, but you can control how you think and act when things don’t go your way. You have to hang in there and keep after it, not get down and give up.
Derek has a lot to look forward to. School is almost out, his baseball team is competing in the Westwood Little League Playoffs, and then he’ll head to his grandparents’ house for the summer. Sure, there are finals to study for first, but Derek doesn’t mind. Maybe this year he’ll get better grades than Gary. But when his best friend Dave starts to act strangely, ignoring Derek and canceling their plans, his summer isn’t looking quite so fun. What’s going on? Doesn’t he want to be Derek’s friend anymore?
Derek is so distracted by his problems with Dave that he makes a mistake in the outfield during a key play—and his team loses the game. It’s so unfair! With the championship at stake and finals looming, Derek needs to stay focused or risk everything.
Life isn’t always fair. You can’t control that, but you can control how you think and act when things don’t go your way. You have to hang in there and keep after it, not get down and give up.
Derek has a lot to look forward to. School is almost out, his baseball team is competing in the Westwood Little League Playoffs, and then he’ll head to his grandparents’ house for the summer. Sure, there are finals to study for first, but Derek doesn’t mind. Maybe this year he’ll get better grades than Gary. But when his best friend Dave starts to act strangely, ignoring Derek and canceling their plans, his summer isn’t looking quite so fun. What’s going on? Doesn’t he want to be Derek’s friend anymore?
Derek is so distracted by his problems with Dave that he makes a mistake in the outfield during a key play—and his team loses the game. It’s so unfair! With the championship at stake and finals looming, Derek needs to stay focused or risk everything.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2017
44 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 5, 2022
A good fast read in two sittings with plenty of food for thought.
I enjoyed the book, which was a quick dip of nostalgia, reminding me of my Little League days many years ago, and very far away. Time travel is nice.
It was also a seriously interesting look into former Yankee star Derek Jeter's life growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His team won the city LL title one year, and he was a dominant player, much like in his 20 years with the Yankees.
Jeter and writer Paul Mantell teamed up to streamline that early championship year, and his life at school, with friends, and cultural understanding. His parents were racially mixed, which also added some perspective to his largely first-person page-turning story. Much of the story's tension wrapped around Jeter's friendship with the starting pitcher, and their misconceptions.
I wasn't bored, but I found only a couple of words that raised an eyebrow. Only a slight eyebrow raise. I saw plenty of unusual words in my sports writing says, and even though this was Little League baseball it found a little bit of wordplay.
Fair Ball is physically a middle-grade product of Jeter Publishing.
"Jeter Publishing encompasses adult nonfiction, children's picture books, middle-grade fiction, ready-to-read children's books, and children's books."
Sometimes, it's a good idea to keep reading after the last content page. There is always something to learn.
I enjoyed the book, which was a quick dip of nostalgia, reminding me of my Little League days many years ago, and very far away. Time travel is nice.
It was also a seriously interesting look into former Yankee star Derek Jeter's life growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His team won the city LL title one year, and he was a dominant player, much like in his 20 years with the Yankees.
Jeter and writer Paul Mantell teamed up to streamline that early championship year, and his life at school, with friends, and cultural understanding. His parents were racially mixed, which also added some perspective to his largely first-person page-turning story. Much of the story's tension wrapped around Jeter's friendship with the starting pitcher, and their misconceptions.
I wasn't bored, but I found only a couple of words that raised an eyebrow. Only a slight eyebrow raise. I saw plenty of unusual words in my sports writing says, and even though this was Little League baseball it found a little bit of wordplay.
Fair Ball is physically a middle-grade product of Jeter Publishing.
"Jeter Publishing encompasses adult nonfiction, children's picture books, middle-grade fiction, ready-to-read children's books, and children's books."
Sometimes, it's a good idea to keep reading after the last content page. There is always something to learn.
October 13, 2020
It was a very good adventure of Derek and his buddies on the Indians little league!
March 7, 2018
The main problem in the book is that Dave and Derek are becoming distince and there frendship seems like it is comeing to an end. Derek is trying to save the frindship but Dave seems like he dosn't want to be freind anymore. Along with freindship problombs Derek has finles and baceball to worry about. His team is in the playoffs and Derek is sure his team will win the Kalzmoo trophy. Though all this Derek has New Jersy to look forward to.
How to repraire a freindship,1st try to see what is wrong. Next if you can fix what is wrong then try the best you can, If they didn't tell you what is then ask him if he want to hang out. Then try to hang out more and plane a big event when you both are ready like a overnighter. Last stay freinds.
I really liked this book I think that this is fun becues you see Derek in the championship and you see him try to reparie a couple of freindships. I also like that becues he wanted to do Karate but he dosn't becuece he has finles and baceball. Last I have to say this is the best in the contract sires.
How to repraire a freindship,1st try to see what is wrong. Next if you can fix what is wrong then try the best you can, If they didn't tell you what is then ask him if he want to hang out. Then try to hang out more and plane a big event when you both are ready like a overnighter. Last stay freinds.
I really liked this book I think that this is fun becues you see Derek in the championship and you see him try to reparie a couple of freindships. I also like that becues he wanted to do Karate but he dosn't becuece he has finles and baceball. Last I have to say this is the best in the contract sires.
November 5, 2017
Derek had made it all the way to the championship game with his baseball team. Derek had bigger problems though because his friend Dave had stopped talking to him all of a sudden at school and at practice, which Derek was not happy about because they had a lot of practices left because they had to prepare for the championship game. Derek had been trying to get Dave to talk to him again but when he was doing that, he had forgotten about his friend Vijay. Derek's parents had let him choose one friend to go to New Jersey with him over the Summer. Derek asked Dave to go with him but he didn't respond and Derek thinks that Vijay might have heard him ask Dave to go. Sense Dave didn't respond Derek asked Vijay but he couldn't go either. Dave's rich parents would not let him come because Derek came from a middle class family and his Dad was black. Derek learned how to deal with real life issues and how to succeed despite those problems. I enjoyed this book because Derek never gave up and he stays the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 5, 2020Fair ball by Derek Jeter is a book about what it was like when he was growing up as a kid and stories about his life. Derek Jeter is the main character and he goes to his middle school and he loves to play baseball and is determined to be the best player he can be. The book takes place in his hometown and mostly at the baseball fields. An interesting part about this story is that one of his best friends is acting suspiciously and Derek wants to know what is going on. Someone who might like this book is someone who likes Derek Jeter or someone who likes sports, especially baseball.
October 20, 2017
I think that it was interesting. I like how he talked about his life growing up. Derek and his friend Dave were playing baseball and got into a fight. Dave would not talk to Derek. They were playing in championship games and lost because the would not talk. There parents talked it all out and it was better. They then had an overnight.
January 6, 2018
This is a continuation of grade four, ending the school year, and baseball season.
This is my second favorite, next to The Contract, because it deals with diversity in simple terms.
You also often read “It’s not fair.” And life as we know it, is not fair, how are we going to react to that perceived unfairness?
I look forward to book #5.
This is my second favorite, next to The Contract, because it deals with diversity in simple terms.
You also often read “It’s not fair.” And life as we know it, is not fair, how are we going to react to that perceived unfairness?
I look forward to book #5.
February 9, 2018
This book was very interesting and a fast-paced book this book was fun to read with up and downs for Derek and him trying to get his friend back while also juggling baseball and schoolwork I didn't like when Dave turned him down after Derek thought he did nothing it made me feel sad for Derek. A good part of the book was when Derek realized he was wrong and he and Dave were actually still friends
January 18, 2018
I like reading this series, it reminds me of when I would love to read them back in 4th grade.
March 7, 2018
Amazing
Cool cool cool super cool best book in the sieries I love it also I want some ....
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BEKFIST
Cool cool cool super cool best book in the sieries I love it also I want some ....
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BEKFIST
November 14, 2022
a good book i dont really like baseball soit just wasnt it
January 2, 2018
My favorite book I read in 2017, was the book Fair Ball by Derek Jeter . The book takes place in Derek Jeter's hometown and takes you through some of the experiences he had before his Major League career. Derek is trying to focus on the end of the year test, as school is out in a few days. His friends Gary is ignoring Derek and derek doesn't know why he is ignored him like that. Derek is going away to New Jersey for the summer and is allowed to bring a friend. He wants to bring Gary, but he hasn't had the time to ask him too. He really wants to save his team as the championship game is near. Can he do it all.
November 9, 2017
i loved this book i love all derek jeter books i like the stories he has
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews