Exclusive First Look at Derek Jeter’s New Kids Book

New York Yankees great Derek Jeter might have retired from baseball, but he’s keeping himself busy. One way he’s doing that is by writing a series of middle-grade novels inspired by his experience as a kid. The first book, The Contract, hit stores in September. The second installment, Hit & Miss, will be available on April 28. And we have your exclusive first look at the book!



And here’s a rundown of the plot, courtesy of Jeter Publishing, which is an imprint of Simon & Schuster:

“Just try to make solid contact; stay level and in control. Positive thoughts only, right?”

That’s the advice Derek’s father gives him about batting—and a lot more. Throughout the long Michigan winter, Derek thought that opening day might never come. Now at last he can pursue his dream of one day playing shortstop for the New York Yankees.

As luck would have it, he’s on the Red Sox this year, and they seem to have more talent than the Tigers, the team he was on when last season ended in disappointment. His best friend, Vijay, is with him again, and Derek gets the same number—13!—that his father wore in college. Now if the new kid with the chauffeur turns out to be a player, well, the Red Sox might just win it all.

But as Derek finds out, both baseball and life are hard. Before the season is over, he’ll break out of a slump, bring his teammates closer together, learn a new sport, solve the mystery of why his sister, Sharlee, seems so quiet, and suffer the consequences for violating the contract he signed with his parents. Before he can move closer to his dream, there are many lessons to be learned.


Sounds intriguing! Stay tuned to SIKids.com for more about the book as we get closer to its release date. You can also preorder a copy on the Simon & Schuster website.


Photo: Simon & Schuster