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4th out of 157 books
—
177 voters
The Off Season (Dairy Queen #2)
Life is looking up for D.J. Schwenk. She’s in eleventh grade, finally. After a rocky summer, she’s reconnecting in a big way with her best friend, Amber. She’s got kind of a thing going with Brian Nelson, who’s cute and popular and smart but seems to like her anyway. And then there’s the fact she’s starting for the Red Bend High School football team—the first girl lineback...more
Hardcover, 277 pages
Published
June 4th 2007
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
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Rating: 4.5 Stars
I swear, this series just keeps getting better and better. The Off Season is an incredible follow-up to Dairy Queen and if I wasn't impressed by Murdock's first novel, she's definitely made a fan out of me now. I loved this one! It was realistic, strong, and moved me beyond words. It was a much more gut-wrenching read this time around and I felt like giving D.J. a hug on so many counts. If Dairy Queen is the steady climb to a better life, of realizing the flaws in life and com...more
I swear, this series just keeps getting better and better. The Off Season is an incredible follow-up to Dairy Queen and if I wasn't impressed by Murdock's first novel, she's definitely made a fan out of me now. I loved this one! It was realistic, strong, and moved me beyond words. It was a much more gut-wrenching read this time around and I felt like giving D.J. a hug on so many counts. If Dairy Queen is the steady climb to a better life, of realizing the flaws in life and com...more
D.J. is back at it again in the sequel to Dairy Queen, The Off Season. Things are finally on the upside for D.J. She is friends again with Amber and even Amber’s girlfriend Dale, and she is still sort of dating cutie quarterback Brian Nelson. She couldn’t be more happier than playing football for Red Bend and the guys actually accept her as part of the team.
But as we know, D.J.’s life has been anything but easy. She injures her shoulder during practice and has to decide between continuing playin...more
But as we know, D.J.’s life has been anything but easy. She injures her shoulder during practice and has to decide between continuing playin...more
4 likes · like · see review
I love DJ Schwenk. I love that she is realistic, she isn't perfect, and a lot of the time, she has no idea what to say. This book picks up where Dairy Queen left off--DJ is playing football on her high school's team, sort of seeing the rival team's quarterback, and trying to keep her family's farm going. In the first book, I became comfortable with DJ, her family, and the entire cast of secondary characters. They actually feel like actual people and it was delightful to see the continuation of t...more
12 likes · like · see review
The Off Season is a solid follow up to Dairy Queen. We follow D.J. Schwenk into her junior year of high school as she continues to balance school, family demands and of course Brian Nelson. In Dairy Queen D.J. spent a lot of time figuring out who she is and who she wants to be. In this second installment D.J. applies the knowledge she learned over the summer. The Off Season resolves a lot of issues left up in the air at the end of Dairy Queen and shows even more what a motivated, hardworking, aw...more
6 likes · like · see review
Post-reading thoughts: I am such a bad read-along partner, sorry Keertana and Leanne. But this latest installment was just too good!
The Off Season was a massive step up from Dairy Queen. I was a big fan of the first book Dairy Queen, but here Murdock just managed to take it a whole another notch, she had me bawling my eyes out every other page, had me snort laughing and shattered my heart into a million pieces.
After a topsy turvy couple of months, D.J. finally seems to be enjoying life, she’s l...more
The Off Season was a massive step up from Dairy Queen. I was a big fan of the first book Dairy Queen, but here Murdock just managed to take it a whole another notch, she had me bawling my eyes out every other page, had me snort laughing and shattered my heart into a million pieces.
After a topsy turvy couple of months, D.J. finally seems to be enjoying life, she’s l...more
10 likes · like · see review
I just love this series. I love D.J.'s voice, I love the concept of the books, I love the world they're in.
It's well written, it's funny, at times it's heartbreaking and at other times it just a plain old page-turner.
It's well written, it's funny, at times it's heartbreaking and at other times it just a plain old page-turner.
June 25-26, 2012
I really love this book (and audiobook)! Like I said below, I love that while on the surface, the book is about sports (and in this case, sports injuries), but that it has a definite deeper message about not giving up and being yourself and communication, etc. Even though you might not play sports (especially not football), and getting into and paying for college might not have been a concern you shared, you can still relate to the emotions the characters feel. The ability to wri...more
I really love this book (and audiobook)! Like I said below, I love that while on the surface, the book is about sports (and in this case, sports injuries), but that it has a definite deeper message about not giving up and being yourself and communication, etc. Even though you might not play sports (especially not football), and getting into and paying for college might not have been a concern you shared, you can still relate to the emotions the characters feel. The ability to wri...more
I loved Dairy Queen, so I was very eager to read The Off Season. It took a lot of turns I didn't expect, which makes it hard for me to review it, because as always I don't want to spoil the surprises for anyone else.
Picking up essentially where we left off, D.J. has passed sophomore English and is good to go with football. The team is totally psyched to have her. Unfortunately, not all that far into things, a certain situation at school puts that all in jeopardy. Add to it a physical considerati...more
Picking up essentially where we left off, D.J. has passed sophomore English and is good to go with football. The team is totally psyched to have her. Unfortunately, not all that far into things, a certain situation at school puts that all in jeopardy. Add to it a physical considerati...more
Sometimes, after a successful first novel, its sequel may fall flat. This certainly is not true in the case of Catherine Gilbert Murdock's sequel to Dairy Queen. In The Off Season, we find D.J. Schwenk coping with even more challenges than ever, many of which could topple someone twice her age. While we know that D.J. has real style and substance, this time we find her to be more of a hero than ever. Once again, she rises to the occasion, providing the stability for her injured brother to move o...more
The Off Season is the second book of the Dairy Queen series and I continued to love it.
This is a series which you can't really compare to anything else, mainly because it's a different sort of contemporary. From the blurbs of the first book, you'd think this is a romance series, but you'd be surprised to realise it goes beyond that: it's about a girl trying her best.
D.J. continues to be one of the best female leads in YA (in my opinion) and I love how she always has this optimism going, even wh...more
1 like · like · see review
This sequel to Dairy Queen is as good, if not better, than the first book . DJ isn't as confused or silently angry in this one as she was in the first. She has begun a tentative relationship with Brian, the star quarterback from her high school's rival team. They both make some mistakes along the way, purposely or otherwise.
DJ takes on a great deal of responisibility when one of her older brother's has a devastating injury and she finds strength in herself she wasn't expecting.
I really love the...more
DJ takes on a great deal of responisibility when one of her older brother's has a devastating injury and she finds strength in herself she wasn't expecting.
I really love the...more
Wonderful! But I want to know what happens after the book ends. Ms. Murdock will you please write another book?
1 like · like · see review
As far as debut novels go, it’s hard to top Murdock’s DAIRY QUEEN, a winning combination of wit and heart, love and loss. But incredibly, she succeeds with its sequel, THE OFF SEASON. It is everything her first book is, and more.
As quite possibly the first girl in her state ever to be on her high school football team, D.J. Schwenk has been getting a lot of attention and publicity lately, and she doesn’t want any of it… particularly as she fears it will make her something-or-other friendship/rela...more
As quite possibly the first girl in her state ever to be on her high school football team, D.J. Schwenk has been getting a lot of attention and publicity lately, and she doesn’t want any of it… particularly as she fears it will make her something-or-other friendship/rela...more
Review: “The Off Season” comes to life when D.J. gets accepted by her high school’s football coach and players as a starter. D.J. proves herself on the field during their first preseason game against rival Hawley, when D.J. scores after intercepting a pass thrown by her tentative boyfriend Brian (see review for Dairy Queen). Finally, a girl can ride the waves of adulation football players receive. D.J.’s even trying to stay on top of her homework this year. The entire Schwenk family enjoys seein...more
Feb 14, 2013
Booklover, Indianapolis
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-in-2013,
ya-na-but-good-for-adults-too
(Feb) **Mildly Spoilery** On the one hand, DJ really impressed me in this book - she stood up for herself, she grew, she evolved, she was the cement that held her family together. I am sorry things didn't work out w/Brian, but so proud of DJ for standing up to his b.s.
I had two big issues w/this book. When my mom was visiting me and read Angela's Ashes, she kept turning the pages and saying "oh, another tragedy has befallen this poor family" - this happened here as well, page after page. In The...more
I had two big issues w/this book. When my mom was visiting me and read Angela's Ashes, she kept turning the pages and saying "oh, another tragedy has befallen this poor family" - this happened here as well, page after page. In The...more
The sequel to “Dairy Queen” the book “The Offseason” sees DJ Schwenk’s life fall apart once again as the family business and dairy farm goes further into financial ruin. DJ’s father continues to be maimed by his leg injuries sustained from hard years of labor on the farm. DJ’s father now furthermore agrees to somehow find the money to hire helping hands on the farm while DJ goes to play football for Red Bend and then in the winter basketball as she is expected to be a huge scholarship winner to...more
I liked this book but didn't love it. I thought it was similar to "Dairy Queen". Again, DJ saves the day and is the mature responsible member of the family during medical emergencies. I liked the relationship parts of the book. DJ falls for a boy from another town, a boy with more money and social status than her. You can totally see where this is going as a reader. The boy will come to see her at her house and take her to a mall far away, but doesn't want to be ween with her in public where an...more
The Off Season, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is the sequel to Dairy Queen, another one of her novels. It continues with the love story of Brian and DJ as well as DJ’s life in football. In this novel, DJ and Brian’s love romance meets its highs and lows. When DJ goes back to school for the year, she is less invisible and more formally known, but she doesn’t exactly like it because she is only known as being the only female on the football team. Through all of the twists and twirls of the school...more
A continuation from "Dairy Queen," we find ourselves following D.J. through the fall of her Junior year. Just when her father is back on her feet and running things at the farm, an accident happens, and D.J. is again pulled in two directions. She struggles in this book with being the one who has to be the strong one - the one who can take care of everything.
No longer a "cow," we see more of D.J.'s opinions and strength in this book. Her relationship with her family is undergoing changes a both...more
No longer a "cow," we see more of D.J.'s opinions and strength in this book. Her relationship with her family is undergoing changes a both...more
The Off Season was a bit of a disappointment after having read Dairy Queen, the first book in the trilogy. The story takes place in the small town of Red Bend, Wisconsin. The book is written in the first person by D.J.(Darlene Joyce)Schwenk , the main character and heroine. D.J. is distinctive because she is the only female football player on her team. Unfortunately, D.J. has to make an important decision regarding continuing to play. That part of the story was compelling as was the other decisi...more
Book on CD performed Natalie Moore
4****
Things are looking up for D.J. Schwenk (who first appeared in Murdock’s Dairy Queen ). She’s doing well in her junior year of high school, playing on the boy’s football team, and looking forward to a great season of basketball. Her relationship with Brian Nelson, quarterback on the rival high school’s football team, seems to be warming up as well. But there’s trouble on the horizon and D J will have to dig deep to find the strength to manage everything that...more
4****
Things are looking up for D.J. Schwenk (who first appeared in Murdock’s Dairy Queen ). She’s doing well in her junior year of high school, playing on the boy’s football team, and looking forward to a great season of basketball. Her relationship with Brian Nelson, quarterback on the rival high school’s football team, seems to be warming up as well. But there’s trouble on the horizon and D J will have to dig deep to find the strength to manage everything that...more
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is such a great book in so many ways. I loved it! Just loved it!
D.J. Schwenk is truly a hug-worthy and all-around awe-inspiring character. Her self-less acts and sincere motives had me applauding her efforts and truly moved at the sacrifices she made for her family and those she loved. Regardless of the hard hits she took, D.J. proved to be a fighter and came out winning in the end IMO.
About the book… D.J. Schwenk is having a great Junior year. She's...more
D.J. Schwenk is truly a hug-worthy and all-around awe-inspiring character. Her self-less acts and sincere motives had me applauding her efforts and truly moved at the sacrifices she made for her family and those she loved. Regardless of the hard hits she took, D.J. proved to be a fighter and came out winning in the end IMO.
About the book… D.J. Schwenk is having a great Junior year. She's...more
5 likes · like · see review
This book had me crying, skipping pages because I couldn't take the pain, laughing and giggling by turns.
I really liked this novel, like I really did. It wasn't overly funny, entertaining, perfect, romantic - no it was like life is - painful, sad, a bit funny, a bit annoying, a bit of everything. It felt so real. The characters felt real and deep and not flat at all.
I have to say D.J. is an amazing girl, a role model even. She's insecure, nervous, and has the same issues as normal teens do.
An...more
I really liked this novel, like I really did. It wasn't overly funny, entertaining, perfect, romantic - no it was like life is - painful, sad, a bit funny, a bit annoying, a bit of everything. It felt so real. The characters felt real and deep and not flat at all.
I have to say D.J. is an amazing girl, a role model even. She's insecure, nervous, and has the same issues as normal teens do.
An...more
3.5 Stars
I closed this book feeling a bit like I'd been hit by a freight train. How was it even possible that 277 pages contained SO MUCH?
To be honest for a moment it lost a bit of its realism with me, because it felt like there were too many bad things happening at once. Which I realized was a really unfair assessment when I took a moment to think about it. I myself had a year in my life, where so many things happened, that I didn't think that I could possibly process anything else.
I think the...more
I closed this book feeling a bit like I'd been hit by a freight train. How was it even possible that 277 pages contained SO MUCH?
To be honest for a moment it lost a bit of its realism with me, because it felt like there were too many bad things happening at once. Which I realized was a really unfair assessment when I took a moment to think about it. I myself had a year in my life, where so many things happened, that I didn't think that I could possibly process anything else.
I think the...more
1 like · like · see review
This is the second in a series and I definitely have to back and read the first part. This is a coming of age story where D.J. becomes the most adult of everyone. Her parents are struggling with finances, her older brother gets injured in a football game and her younger brother (the brains of the family) wins a science contest, but can’t tell anyone about it.
D.J. can’t figure out her relationship with Brian the star quarterback from her schools rival team. Does he like her or not? He takes her o...more
D.J. can’t figure out her relationship with Brian the star quarterback from her schools rival team. Does he like her or not? He takes her o...more
The Off Season is the follow-up sequel to the inspirational book Diary Queen. I didn't think it was possible, but this book was even better then the first!
Things aren't going to well for D.J lately. With the lack of money coming in the farm, D.J has to make a decision that will break her heart. Even though things are looking up for her and her best friend Amber, some other things are falling apart. Now, D.J has to struggle and find a way to over come tragic times for her family and find the stre...more
Things aren't going to well for D.J lately. With the lack of money coming in the farm, D.J has to make a decision that will break her heart. Even though things are looking up for her and her best friend Amber, some other things are falling apart. Now, D.J has to struggle and find a way to over come tragic times for her family and find the stre...more
3 likes · like · see review
The day after reading Dairy Queen, I discovered there was a sequel! Oh joy to the world! I forced my husband to take me to Borders (on our way to a party for which we were already late) so I could buy it. Now, I don't just go out and buy books. A book has to be tried and tested before it takes up valuable space on my bookshelf, but I was obsessed. Also, my library didn't have the sequel and I had to have it NOW. After faking my way through an evening of conversations (I didn't want to talk to re...more
It wasn't until I was a fair way into this novel that I realised how invested I was in Win and the rest of the Schwenk family. DJ's older brothers, Win and Bill, had been peripheral characters for Dairy Queen and with Win's injury, I realised how much I had bought into the concept of this family that worked a dairy.
The Off Season picks up from where we left off. DJ's successfully integrated into the Red Bend football team, re-established her friendship with Amber, secretly (kinda) dating Brian...more
The Off Season picks up from where we left off. DJ's successfully integrated into the Red Bend football team, re-established her friendship with Amber, secretly (kinda) dating Brian...more
1 like · like · see review
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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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“I’d promised myself that I’d really work on talking more, talking about uncomfortable things, because I could see from Brian how well things could work out if you did.”
—
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Jan 21, 2013 04:37am
@Sandra: Thanks! :)
@Jasprit: Aww, thank you, dear! I am sure we'll love Fro...more
Jan 21, 2013 08:44am