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About Strike Zone
Product Description In the seventh book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade series inspired by the life of iconic New York Yankee Derek Jeter, young Derek and his friends learn the true meaning of teamwork when they have to embrace the unexpected on their baseball team. At the first practice of the season, Derek takes note of who is on the team. They have some good players, for sure—but also some weaker ones. There’s still one kid missing, and Derek hopes it’s a really good ballplayer to round out the roster. But when the kid arrives, everyone is shocked: she’s a girl! Can Derek’s team come together to have a winning season? Inspired by Derek Jeter’s childhood, this is the seventh book in Jeter Publishing’s New York Times bestselling middle grade baseball series that focuses on key life lessons from Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation. About the Author Derek Jeter is a fourteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series winner who played for one team—the storied New York Yankees—for all twenty seasons of his major league career. His grace and class on and off the field have made him an icon and role model far beyond the world of baseball. Paul Mantell is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including books in the Hardy Boys and Matt Christopher series. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One: Change of Plans Chapter One CHANGE OF PLANS “Go, Derek!” As Derek Jeter went in for the layup, going airborne at full speed, the defender’s arm came crashing down, slamming into Derek’s ear and shoulder, making him cry out in pain. But Derek had seen him coming. A split second before contact, he’d slipped the ball under and around the defender’s crashing arm. A flick of Derek’s wrist sent the ball spinning off the backboard, ricocheting back down and through the net, just as the ref’s whistle blew! “And one!” Dave Hennum shouted from center court. Derek’s best friend and teammate pumped his fist, then immediately ran to his side. “You okay?” Derek was bent forward, one hand on his knee and the other on his sore ear. “That hurt,” he said with a grimace, then straightened up and rolled his shoulder around once or twice in its socket. Then, turning to the ref, he put his hands up, asking for… the ball. Dave clapped him on the back. “That-a-way,” he said. “Hit this shot, and we’ve got the game!” Derek blew out a breath and tried to shake off the cobwebs from the blow he’d just taken. He knew that if he sank this free throw, his team, the Saint Augustine Friars, would be up by one point with only six seconds left. On the other hand, if he missed… Derek focused on the rim, blowing out a long breath to calm his pounding heart. The hammer blow to his shoulder hadn’t helped any. Plus, his ear was still ringing. It took all the concentration he could muster. But he had prepared himself for this moment all season long, as he rode the bench waiting for his chance to get in games. He’d dreamed of the time when he could show what he was made of when the critical moments came. Not just his talent, but his dedication to winning. He blew out another breath, then readied his shot. Just as he was about to let it go, the ref’s whistle blew again. “Time out, Green!” he shouted, pointing to the other team’s coach. Dave shook his head and frowned. “They’re trying to ice you, Derek,” he said. “Don’t let it get to you.” Derek nodded, and they both headed to the bench, where Coach Nelson already had the team gathered in a circle. “Okay, soon as the shot drops, everyone drop back to half-court and pick up your man there. Watch out for screens. And whatever you do—no fouls!” Derek strode back to the line as the whistle blew for the resumption of play. He took the ball from the ref, bounced it three times, looked up at the basket, and without allowing a single thought to enter his head, threw it up…. Swish! In an instant, he was back in game mode, streaking toward half-court to join his
