Children's Literature - Tiffany Torbeck
A baseball biography should ring with the sounds of homeruns and stolen bases, not bland statistics and a roster of celebrities. Yet, that is exactly what you get with this biography of Yankee's captain Derek Jeter. The whole presentation of this title is clunky. The text is accurate and factual, but listing stats like any baseball website will not inspire young readers to greatness. Moreover, mentioning that Jeter had an incredible 2002 season while dating two young Hollywood starlets will likely not appeal to young readers. The way this book combines the personal and professional life of Jeter in the same breath distracts from the real purpose of the book. Most sports biographies give a special section or chapter to personal life and charity work. That way one may chose to skip ahead or read every word. The organization of the book is decent enough, with an exciting chapter opening the book and then moving on to a more chronological presentation. The way the book tries to capture the eye is another weakness. Boxes containing more in-depth information about topics mentioned in the chapter are featured in a different color, yet all too often they interrupt the flow of the text, making the thought process hard to follow. Also, all direct quotes are featured in a bold, off-color font, regardless if they are quotes from Jeter or sports writers and managers. A chronology, glossary, list of accomplishments, and further reading suggestions are included. As well, three websites are mentioned, all under the umbrella of mlb.com, so the reader may be assured of accuracy. Overall, this is a serviceable biography but considering that the Yankees have won yet another World Series, libraries wouldbe better off to wait for a more timely and exciting biography of Jeter. Reviewer: Tiffany Torbeck
School Library Journal
Gr 4–8—These biographies offer engaging overviews of these people's lives and achievements. Readers will be drawn to the appealing layout of this series. Full-color photos appear throughout, with the exception, of course, of W.E.B. Du Bois; they are in black and white or a sepia tone. Derek Jeter has some exceptional action shots that will excite young baseball fans. The sidebars flow well with the texts, allowing for a more natural read. The theme of the series is how these individuals were able to overcome the prejudices toward their race and make great achievements, but Jeter doesn't even mention the athlete's race again after it describes his heritage. Prince does elaborate on the entertainer's struggles with race. There are a few minor errors, such as a contradiction of dates in Carey, but even so, libraries needing updated biographies on these individuals might consider these volumes.—Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY
