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5th out of 157 books
—
177 voters
Front and Center (Dairy Queen #3)
After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I’m always in the background . . .
But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who’s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who s...more
But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who’s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who s...more
Hardcover, 254 pages
Published
October 19th 2009
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
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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 (I'm kind of short so yeah this counts)
2.Can play sports and is so good she rumbles on the guy's team
3.Gets attention from cute boys (Brain and Beaner)
4.and did I mention all arou...more
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 (I'm kind of short so yeah this counts)
2.Can play sports and is so good she rumbles on the guy's team
3.Gets attention from cute boys (Brain and Beaner)
4.and did I mention all arou...more
10 likes · like · see review
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Rating: 3.5 Stars
I just want to say, before I start this review, that if you plan to read this series, or just one book from this series, on a read-along...DON'T. I kid you not, but the Dairy Queen Series is THE WORST book you could pick for a read-along because you just cannot. Stop. Reading. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I know because I've tried...for THREE BOOKS! It's HOPELESS! *throws hands up and stalks away*
Anyway, that being said, this is also one of those series you just HAVE to read because it is...more
I just want to say, before I start this review, that if you plan to read this series, or just one book from this series, on a read-along...DON'T. I kid you not, but the Dairy Queen Series is THE WORST book you could pick for a read-along because you just cannot. Stop. Reading. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I know because I've tried...for THREE BOOKS! It's HOPELESS! *throws hands up and stalks away*
Anyway, that being said, this is also one of those series you just HAVE to read because it is...more
10 likes · like · see review
D.J. Schwenk is the exact opposite of most YA protagonists. That's right, she's got a brain. Also? She won't let any boy mistreat her, no matter how ridiculously good looking they might be. She's a little shy but will speak up when she has something worthwhile to say, which, honestly, is more often than she gives herself credit for--like I said, the girl has brains. She's so easy to relate to, on several levels, you can't help but root her on.
The Dairy Queen series is up there on my list of fav...more
The Dairy Queen series is up there on my list of fav...more
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 does or doesn...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 does or doesn...more
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 to be made...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 to be made...more
3 likes · like · see review
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 does not show t...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 does not show t...more
3 likes · like · see review
I've hung around with the Dairy Queen series for about a year, and I love it. D.J. never ceases to be the best female character I've ever come across in YA.
She's independent, knows little about romance, and realistic. She can't sing, fails at school subjects, but has enough determination to get herself through life.
The author is particularly amazing for making her a likeable yet flawed character. Her flaws never annoyed me (D.J.'s) which is saying something.
This is the third book to a series,...more
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 like it, but stil...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 stil...more
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...more
2 likes · like · see review
Three words; insightful, bittersweet, & inspiring.
This is one of my most favorite young adult series. D.J. is one of the best female protagonists that I've ever encountered. I'm sincerely going to miss her. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend that you do, if you're a fan, I think the last book will leave you satisfied.
Although not quite as exciting as it's predecessors, Front & Center is still a strong finish for the series. Murdock addresses real issues of any high schoo...more
This is one of my most favorite young adult series. D.J. is one of the best female protagonists that I've ever encountered. I'm sincerely going to miss her. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend that you do, if you're a fan, I think the last book will leave you satisfied.
Although not quite as exciting as it's predecessors, Front & Center is still a strong finish for the series. Murdock addresses real issues of any high schoo...more
Mar 04, 2013
Booklover, Indianapolis
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-in-2013,
ya-na-but-good-for-adults-too
(Mar) 3.5* This was a nice ending to a series that I didn't love when I first started. DJ annoyed me throughout the beginning of this book - but about half way through I saw some real growth in that girl which was great to see. I was glad to see her get a truly happy ending - with her family, her schooling, and her romantic life.
I will say, though - I don't like sports. I never have, and I never will. And when we see DJ's friend, who does well in school and studies hard and takes the SAT - not...more
I will say, though - I don't like sports. I never have, and I never will. And when we see DJ's friend, who does well in school and studies hard and takes the SAT - not...more
The reason I love to read, other than the fact it's so easy is because I love it when you read a really good book and you can experience a feeling that you would never would experience on your own,
Front and Center is one of those books that just remind me why I gosh darn love reading so much. Not to mention this is one of the best conclusions to a series I've read.
We start off with DJ who's going through some drama in her life, as usual. She and Brian are no longer together, and her brother Win...more
Front and Center is one of those books that just remind me why I gosh darn love reading so much. Not to mention this is one of the best conclusions to a series I've read.
We start off with DJ who's going through some drama in her life, as usual. She and Brian are no longer together, and her brother Win...more
This series really tickles me. I just feel like I know and love DJ and her crazy family. I laugh out loud when I read these books at the way DJ describes the events of her life. In this book, she is back to playing girls basketball, and being scouted by colleges. Again, I love that this series shows a girl who in most media presentations would be the popular girl (star athlete!) and instead creates a more interesting character who can be very insecure. Really my only complaint is that over three...more
The final book in the "Dairy Queen" trilogy, you follow D.J. through the winter of her Junior year.
In the first two books, D.J. was trying to deal with her relationship with the people around her. Her best friend, Amber, her kind-of boyfriend, Brian, her family...all of them had expectations of her and she's spent the last months growing into her place among them.
This book is more focused on how D.J. feels about herself. How does she deal with pressure? What does she do when her own weaknesses...more
In the first two books, D.J. was trying to deal with her relationship with the people around her. Her best friend, Amber, her kind-of boyfriend, Brian, her family...all of them had expectations of her and she's spent the last months growing into her place among them.
This book is more focused on how D.J. feels about herself. How does she deal with pressure? What does she do when her own weaknesses...more
A great story of a girl who doesn't know her value. D.J. Schwenk is what many girls aspire to be: athletic without losing all the girly appeal, smart enough so as not to have it be a burden or intimidating, and slightly clueless about her own skills and appeal so as not to be vain. Front and Center (book 3), is certainly a great addition to the ongoing saga of D.J. In this story, her family continues to recover from her brother's football accident which has left him paralyzed (see book 2) and D....more
"Front and Center" by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is a refreshing coming of age story about D.J., a high school girl who lives on a Dairy farm. This is the third book of the series and deals with D.J. starting her junior year of high school on the girls basketball team. She discovers that she is no longer in the background but rather has become popular and isn’t quite sure she likes all the attention because of all the pressure she feels to be what everyone else wants her to be. She has a new boyf...more
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,...more
“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 wants to g...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 wants to g...more
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 her life, on and off the co...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 her life, on and off the co...more
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 she wasn't a...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 she wasn't a...more
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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 summer w...more
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 fir...more
5 likes · like · see review
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 on h...more
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 because there was...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 because there was...more
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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...more
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 of basketba...more
Thankfully, D.J. couldn't be happier with the prospect of basketba...more
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 Peop...more
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. And suddenl...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. And suddenl...more
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...more
As always D.J. Schwenk is realising life isn't quite so simple as she first thought.
All relationships are complicated and learning to deal with them the 'right' way is way too much for her to process so instead she pushes things aside until all her emotions build up. Luckily, she does find a way to release all that pressure and make the right decisions for her. That's quite an important definition in this book - the right decision FOR HER.
Her family members remain the most interesting characters...more
All relationships are complicated and learning to deal with them the 'right' way is way too much for her to process so instead she pushes things aside until all her emotions build up. Luckily, she does find a way to release all that pressure and make the right decisions for her. That's quite an important definition in this book - the right decision FOR HER.
Her family members remain the most interesting characters...more
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I grew up in small-town Connecticut, on a tiny farm with honeybees, two adventurous goats, and a mess of Christmas trees. My sister claims we didn’t have a television, but we did, sometimes – only it was ancient, received exactly two channels, and had to be turned off after 45 minutes to cool down or else the screen would go all fuzzy. Watching (or rather, “watching”) Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds...more
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“She says your not truly human until you've had your heart broken and you've broken someone's heart.”
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“How could I pretend to be someone else when I was already failing at being the person I already was?”
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