After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I
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Jun 27, 2011
Cara
rated it: 
GIVE ME A D! GIVE ME J! WHAT DOES THAT SPELL? D.J.!!!!!!
I thought it was appropriate to begin this way because D.J. Schwenk deserves a whole cheering squad for being who she is. I don't think D.J. realizes it herself but she is probably envied by her peers. She doesn't think so but let's just look at her:
1.She is tall
2.Can play sports so good can be on a boy's team!
3.Gets attention from cute boys (Brain and Beaner)
4.and did I mention all around awesome!!!
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I thought it was appropriate to begin this way because D.J. Schwenk deserves a whole cheering squad for being who she is. I don't think D.J. realizes it herself but she is probably envied by her peers. She doesn't think so but let's just look at her:
1.She is tall
2.Can play sports so good can be on a boy's team!
3.Gets attention from cute boys (Brain and Beaner)
4.and did I mention all around awesome!!!
More...
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Jun 02, 2010
kari
rated it: 
The final book in the 'Dairy Queen' trilogy is a great ending to the story.
I really like DJ's voice, her thoughts and feelings are well-crafted and her behavior is consistent throughout the series. Even though she is somewhat lacking in confidence, she still manages to stand up for herself when she feels the need enough.
She also comes to understand her personal relationships better and see things from other viewpoints. Most of all, she takes the time to figure out exactly what she d More...
I really like DJ's voice, her thoughts and feelings are well-crafted and her behavior is consistent throughout the series. Even though she is somewhat lacking in confidence, she still manages to stand up for herself when she feels the need enough.
She also comes to understand her personal relationships better and see things from other viewpoints. Most of all, she takes the time to figure out exactly what she d More...
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Jun 27, 2010
Ash
rated it:
I can't believe how long I waited to read this. Since 2007. 2007!! That's two years people! Plus some months. So obviously I was excited that I FINALLY got to read it.
Quick Overview: DJ is actually happy to be going back to school. She's ready to play some basketball and have everything go back to normal. How they were before. Before Brian, before being on the football team and before Win's accident. She finds out pretty quickly though that it just ain't gonna happen. Decisions have More...
Quick Overview: DJ is actually happy to be going back to school. She's ready to play some basketball and have everything go back to normal. How they were before. Before Brian, before being on the football team and before Win's accident. She finds out pretty quickly though that it just ain't gonna happen. Decisions have More...
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Nov 08, 2009
oliviasbooks
rated it:
Sniff. I had tears in my eyes when I read the last chapter. But they were tears caused by the warmth of the story. I was perfectly happy with the conclusion and I think, that this might have been the last of the D.J.-Schwenks-books.
But am am convinced that Mrs. Murdock will just create a brand-new heroine as likable and real as D.J. And I am sure I will be among the first to place a pre-order.
One more thing I have to say is, that I do not think the cover particularly fitting. It doe More...
But am am convinced that Mrs. Murdock will just create a brand-new heroine as likable and real as D.J. And I am sure I will be among the first to place a pre-order.
One more thing I have to say is, that I do not think the cover particularly fitting. It doe More...
Dec 11, 2010
Sara ♥
rated it:
I think I'm extra emotional lately (thank you pregnancy!) because I seriously want to cry thinking about how sweet and fulfilling this book was to me!
This series has been really interesting for me because while sports are all right, I'm not THAT into them, you know? I like them more than my husband... (This isn't saying much, if you know him. He thinks they're utterly pointless...) I've been watching curling during the Olympics, and I will watch parts of March Madness if I feel l More...
This series has been really interesting for me because while sports are all right, I'm not THAT into them, you know? I like them more than my husband... (This isn't saying much, if you know him. He thinks they're utterly pointless...) I've been watching curling during the Olympics, and I will watch parts of March Madness if I feel l More...
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Dec 26, 2009
Abby
rated it:
Front and Center takes up right where The Off Season leaves off. DJ's returning to school just in time for basketball season and the pressure is ON. She's got college coaches coming to her game, the farm's losing money, and her brother Win is getting extremely involved in her college search. Like, extremely involved. Like, paralyzing-DJ-with-the-thought-of-disappointing-him involved. And don't even mention the boy troubles. DJ's friend Beaner starts to show some interest, but Brian keeps popping
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Apr 21, 2011
Susan
rated it:
This is the third in the Dairy Queen series written by Murdock about the character DJ and her life on the dairy farm and her love and talent for sports. The third book finds DJ back at school after helping her depressed brother Win fight to recover after a paralyzing injury. It is her junior year the year that matters most with basketball and the scouts are ready to watch her. Her coach wants her to play point guard to demonstrate both her ability to lead while also scoring points. DJ, however,
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Mar 14, 2011
Claire
rated it:
“After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J.” This book is the third book in the Dairy Queen series. Front and Center is about D.J. Schwenk’s life going back to normal after her brother’s accident. Cathrine Gilbert Murdock’s Front and Center transported me into the book as D.J.
The theme of the story is always believe in your self. In the book, D.J. is a junior at Red Bend high school and plays basketball. She is deciding where she want More...
The theme of the story is always believe in your self. In the book, D.J. is a junior at Red Bend high school and plays basketball. She is deciding where she want More...
Feb 06, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
Front and Center is the last book in the Dairy Queen trilogy. I loved Dairy Queen and really like The Off Season so I had high hopes for Front and Center, and it didn't let me down.
What really makes this series is the main character, D.J. Schwenk. She is so normal. She's not rich and famous, but she is completely fabulous. She's a sports-star (and she even played on the boys football team, which I guess is not so normal) yet is scared to be noticed and take charge of he More...
What really makes this series is the main character, D.J. Schwenk. She is so normal. She's not rich and famous, but she is completely fabulous. She's a sports-star (and she even played on the boys football team, which I guess is not so normal) yet is scared to be noticed and take charge of he More...
Aug 22, 2010
Erin
rated it:
This was a perfect ending to the trilogy. Although, I would love to know what happens to D.J. and Brian, Win and his physical therapist and what happens with the farm, I am completely content with the way that this summed it all up.
I can relate to this book so much on the athletic aspect, that is was so refreshing to read a book that could verbalize all the feelings that high school athletes face. And it was even more surprising reading a little bit about the author and knowing that More...
I can relate to this book so much on the athletic aspect, that is was so refreshing to read a book that could verbalize all the feelings that high school athletes face. And it was even more surprising reading a little bit about the author and knowing that More...
Aug 10, 2010
Mordena
rated it:
Hmm, it's maybe more of a 3 1/2 star book. I don't do well with the star thing. Anyway, pluses: DJ's voice continues to be so real and compelling and utterly charming, self-effacing and believable, you have to love her. Minuses: the big one for me is the timing of this as a series-as-a-whole. This one takes up mere seconds after The Off Season ends, which took up right after Dairy Queen. I kept having to remind myself that Win's accident had only been a few months ago, that the training s
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May 25, 2010
Arlene
rated it:
Front and Center is the third installment of the Dairy Queen series and IMO... by far the best one of a great storyline. I really did love all three books, but this third book did such a great job of bringing the storyline to a close and showing how just about all of the main characters grew and developed from beginning to end. D.J. Schwenk is at the top of my list of fave female fictional characters. Her modesty, work ethic and humor really shine through as she tells her story; and from the fi
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May 17, 2010
Courtney
rated it:
I fell in love with the character of D.J. in Murdock's first book, Dairy Queen, and my love has not abated over the course of the trilogy. This is a great, strong ending for a character that has continued to grow and evolve, yet remain faithful to herself over the course of three books. D.J. is in basketball season, her best sport, and she is feeling pressure to commit to a school. Her brother, Win, is still in the hospital and she once again realizes that the immense pressure he is putting o
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Apr 27, 2010
Ilsa
rated it: 
Having adored DAIRY QUEEN and really liked THE OFF SEASON, I was all set to enjoy this book. D.J.'s voice comes through loud and clear, but the problem with this book is two-fold.
One is the same problem I found with THE OFF SEASON--why have a sequel to a book that ended very well? As it turned out, enough character growth and plot twists abound in that book to make it a worthwhile read. (Again, though, it wasn't a necessary book.)
I had a feeling that THIS book was written only be More...
One is the same problem I found with THE OFF SEASON--why have a sequel to a book that ended very well? As it turned out, enough character growth and plot twists abound in that book to make it a worthwhile read. (Again, though, it wasn't a necessary book.)
I had a feeling that THIS book was written only be More...
Mar 08, 2010
Talia
rated it:
DJ is ready to go back to school and get her life back to normal. Basketball season is coming up, and DJ looks forward to playing ball and blending into the background like she always does. But little does she know, DJ’s parents and basketball coach start prodding her into the wild and uncertain world of choosing a college. DJ’s family, especially pushy brother Win, pressure her to go for a Big Ten school, but DJ is scared of failing and letting people down and wants to go to a smaller school. A
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Jan 20, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
The first half of D.J. Schwenk's junior year found her one, playing linebacker for her high school football team, two, featured in a People magazine article, and three, caring for her brother Win after he suffered a career-ending injury during one of his nationally televised college football games. For the past five months D.J. has lived and breathed in the spotlight of her small town and it's the last place she ever wanted to be.
Thankfully, D.J. couldn't be happier with the prospect More...
Thankfully, D.J. couldn't be happier with the prospect More...
Nov 23, 2009
Emily
rated it:
I’m a big, big fan of the two previous books about high school junior D.J. Schwenk, and this third (and final) book about her does not disappoint. D.J.’s voice is as wonderful as ever, and her family is as caring as can be despite the fact that no one is a talker. At the start of the book, D.J. is headed back to school, just in time for basketball season, after an extended leave of absence caring for her older brother after his spinal cord injury. After making headlines and even a spread in P
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Oct 31, 2009
Corinne
rated it:
Front and Center is the third and final book in a trilogy, so I highly recommend reading Dairy Queen and The Off Season first.
That being said, this is such a fantastic wrap up to what has been a fantastically enjoyable series. D. J. is back in school and ready to play her favorite sport: basketball. And as much as D.J. would prefer to blend in the background instead of having to, you know, talk to people or especially ever be in the limelight, things are taken out of her hands a bit. More...
That being said, this is such a fantastic wrap up to what has been a fantastically enjoyable series. D. J. is back in school and ready to play her favorite sport: basketball. And as much as D.J. would prefer to blend in the background instead of having to, you know, talk to people or especially ever be in the limelight, things are taken out of her hands a bit. More...
Jul 10, 2009
Mimo
rated it:
DJ Schwenk is looking forward to a normal junior year of high school where she can just blend in and play basketball. Unforturtunately, this is not to be. Instead, her male friend Beaner makes it public knowledge that he is interested in her (but she can't shake Brian off of her mind), everyone in her small town keeps asking about her brother, and college basketball coaches are scouting her. Can DJ learn to give up the idea of fading into the background and enjoy being front and center? Can she
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Jul 14, 2011
Lisa O.
rated it:
I want to make clear from the start that despite having rated all three books in this series with 4 stars, I really think the series as a whole deserves 5 stars.
I haven't written a review for the second installment and I won't write a review about this last book either.
I'd rather tell you why the whole trilogy is great and you should go start reading it right now.
DJ Schwenk is just about one of the best characters in YA lit I have had the fortune to encounter latel More...
I haven't written a review for the second installment and I won't write a review about this last book either.
I'd rather tell you why the whole trilogy is great and you should go start reading it right now.
DJ Schwenk is just about one of the best characters in YA lit I have had the fortune to encounter latel More...
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Jul 20, 2010
Christi
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Summary: Basketball season is just starting for junior D.J. Schwenk. She is the best basketball player in Red Bend, Wisconsin, but she would tell you otherwise. Always the humble sports star, D.J. refuses to believe she’s any good, even when receives tons of offers to colleges to play basketball. As the third book in the Diary Queen trilogy, D.J. continues to struggle with accepting who she is and what she is capable of as well as figuring out the whole love thing. In the end, she learns tha
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May 22, 2010
~Tina~
rated it:
Front and Center is the last D.J book, and I got to say, I'm so sad to see this series go. I would love to see more book about this extraordinary girl and her family but I am quite content with the ending. It was perfect.
I have to applaud Catherine Murdock here, she did a fantastic job of giving us such wonderful, wonderful characters. Her plots are very believable and heartfelt and her writing really pieces everything together of how I see it in my mind. Amazing!
These books are so More...
I have to applaud Catherine Murdock here, she did a fantastic job of giving us such wonderful, wonderful characters. Her plots are very believable and heartfelt and her writing really pieces everything together of how I see it in my mind. Amazing!
These books are so More...
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May 10, 2010
Tabitha
rated it:
I loved Dairy Queen and The Off Season. DJ Schwenk is such an amazing character, and it's not because she's supergirl. It's because she's NOT.
DJ is starting the basketball season of her junior year, eager to get back to how things used to be before her relationship with Brian Nelson was exposed to the world - thus exposing her to the world. She'd like to get back to the background, thankyouverymuch, and had every intention of doing so. That is, until she walks into her coach's of More...
DJ is starting the basketball season of her junior year, eager to get back to how things used to be before her relationship with Brian Nelson was exposed to the world - thus exposing her to the world. She'd like to get back to the background, thankyouverymuch, and had every intention of doing so. That is, until she walks into her coach's of More...
Oct 28, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
I just want to be clear that I really like this series. This book in particular was a bit duller for me than the others, but in terms of story-telling and characters, A+. I'm just not a sports person, and after reading all three in a row, by the time I got to all the recruiters talk and basketball analogies, I skimmed the sports junk.
DJ is an awesome character. Sure, it takes her a bit more time to get some things. She likes to work it all out in her head. She is a real person, flaw More...
DJ is an awesome character. Sure, it takes her a bit more time to get some things. She likes to work it all out in her head. She is a real person, flaw More...
Oct 05, 2011
heidi
rated it:
In Which D.J. Has to Make Big Decisions
I was so satisfied by the ending of this trilogy. In the space of a year, D.J. has grown up from a really reliable kid to a woman in change of her own destiny.
The story opens as she gets back to school after nursing her brother Wim. It's the start of basketball season, and basketball is her one true sport. She can go back to her normal life, she thinks.
But it turns out that she really needs to step up her "leadership More...
I was so satisfied by the ending of this trilogy. In the space of a year, D.J. has grown up from a really reliable kid to a woman in change of her own destiny.
The story opens as she gets back to school after nursing her brother Wim. It's the start of basketball season, and basketball is her one true sport. She can go back to her normal life, she thinks.
But it turns out that she really needs to step up her "leadership More...
Aug 08, 2011
Robyn
rated it:
What a cute book!!! I loved it. I wanted to read Dairy Queen, but when I went to the shelf it was checked out and I saw this one. I did not realize it was a series until after I started reading, but it didn't seem to make a difference with following the characters and plot. DJ is coming back from being out of school for awhile and starting into basketball season. In this book you get to feel the stress of a junior in high school being very good at sports, but not very much with the self con
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Jan 16, 2011
Sara ♥
rated it:
I'm going to plagiarize myself here, for the sake of time (leaving out the emotional pregnancy-induced comments):
This series has been really interesting for me because while sports are all right, I'm not THAT into them, you know? I like them more than my husband... (This isn't saying much, if you know him. He thinks they're utterly pointless...) I've been watching curling during the Olympics, and I will watch parts of March Madness if I feel like it, but still. BUT, these books More...
This series has been really interesting for me because while sports are all right, I'm not THAT into them, you know? I like them more than my husband... (This isn't saying much, if you know him. He thinks they're utterly pointless...) I've been watching curling during the Olympics, and I will watch parts of March Madness if I feel like it, but still. BUT, these books More...
Dec 21, 2011
Rach
rated it:
Another sweetly wonderful story of DJ and her journey to believing in herself. This is one of my favorite series that I've read this year, and DJ is one of the best role models I've seen for teenage girls. Yes, there are times in this book that I wanted to shake her and yell, "Stop doubting yourself!" Though her raging self doubts and insecurities were annoying at times, she never really fell into self-pity at least, and in the end, she was able to change the way she saw herself. That
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Feb 02, 2011
Chelsie
rated it:
Yay for DJ! I loved this book. After helping her brother Win in his new challenges, she is able to go home and continue a normal high school life...or is she? All of a sudden she realizes that everyone knows her name. Including Division 1 college basketball coaches! They want to talk to her. She can't talk to them! She can't handle that kind of pressure. Sure she can yell at her brother and tell him he is wasting his potential and then spend months with him down her throat makinng her practice,
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Nov 18, 2009
Valerie
rated it:
Murdock never fails to make me smile, ponder, and laugh. I know DJ must exist out there somewhere. I know, I know she is a character in a book but she could truly be a teenage girl that is real in my mind. I think that Murdock does a great job in getting into how teenager girls really think. I see far too often that some authors make the teenagers think more mature then most teenagers really are. And don't get me started on how authors make angst, frustrating characters because they are just tha
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