Derek Jeter: Captain on and off the Field

Derek Jeter's heroics on the field as shortstop for the New York Yankees have been making sports highlight films since his rookie season. His leadership on the field led to his being named team captain. However, his leadership and heroics off the field may not be as well known. With the help of his family, Jeter started the Turn 2 Foundation, which helps kids make healthy choices. To kids in the program, Jeter is a hero both on and off the baseball diamond.

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It is nice to see sports biographies that focus on more than just a star's athletic feats. Both authors succeed in conveying the importance of giving back to the community. Lebron James's good deeds are well documented by Rappoport, who calls attention to James's involvement in funding physical education programs, basketball courts, and a children's Bike-a-thon in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. It is refreshing to hear someone like James, a highly paid basketball player, say, "I want . . . to grow into a Batman-Bruce Wayne type, a regular guy who makes the world a better place." Robinson also does well with Derek Jeter, dedicating an entire chapter to Jeter's TURN 2 Foundation, whose mission is "to create and support programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and 'TURN 2' healthy lifestyles." Jeter states, "I didn't want to send donations . . . I wanted to establish programs that would have a lasting impact.o There is plenty of action and game details in these titles, although Rappoport sometimes relies too heavily on statistics. This series has an attractive format with color photos that will impress reluctant readers. The titles are long enough to be useful when biographies are needed for school book reports. Detailed source notes and suggested Web sites and further reading will allow teens to read beyond these books. The often-used phrase "solid purchase" applies to these excellent biographies. Other titles profile champions Peyton Manning and Shaquille O'Neal.