Synopses & Reviews
Catherine Gilbert Murdocks talents for storytelling and creating strong female characters take a fresh turn in this spirited and sophisticated fairy tale.
Benevolence is not your typical princess.
With her parents lost to assassins, Princess Ben ends up under the thumb of the conniving Queen Sophia. Starved and miserable, locked in the castles highest tower, Ben stumbles upon a mysterious enchanted room. So begins her secret education in the magical arts: mastering an obstinate flying broomstick, furtively emptying the castle pantries, setting her hair on fire . . . But Bens private adventures are soon overwhelmed by a mortal threat to her kingdom. Can Ben save the country and herself from foul tyranny?
*[A] deliciously frothy fairy tale.”Horn Book Magazine, starred review
*The wild adventure, intricately imagined setting, memorable characters, and romance will charm readers, especially fans of Gail Carson Levines Fairest.”Booklist, starred review
Review
"The particulars of farm life, high school relationships, and college decisions are imparted with uncommon realism, and Murdock showcases the unexpected drama of everyday characters making mundane but essential life decisions. D.J.s voice is intimate and compelling, her story both universal and unique, familiar and eye-opening. Here is a worthy send-off for a one-of-a-kind character." —
Horn Book "[D.J.'s] self-deprecating and humorous voice is still as fresh the third time around.." —Booklist
"Murdock successfully integrates fresh trials and pressures, well-developed primary and likable peripheral characters, and amusing introspection into the backstory. . .D.J. is ultimately a responsible, realistically flawed, funny, endearing, and strong heroine worth rooting for whether on the court or on the page." —School Library Journal
"Front and Center is a perfect coming of age story and a completely satisfying conclusion to the three-book series." —Jen Robinson's Book Page blog
"This was a great novel with a lot of humor, but also a lot of serious situations, and relatable characters that I loved reading about." —BookDivas.com
"A fantastic end to a terrific series...A+" —Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf blog
"You won't want to miss it." —Abby the Librarian blog
"Front and Center by Catherine Murdock is a satisfying conclusion to the Dairy Queen trilogy with a message that lasts long after you've read the last page. By emphasizing the importance of family, friendship, and support, all of which are sometimes overlooked in young adult literature, this book will motivate its reader to reach out and take risks. —Feed Your Imagination blog
"I havent read the first two books in this series, but I had no problem falling in love with DJ, her family and her friends." —KISS THE BOOK blog
Review
"The main character is likable
[She] has qualities uniquely her own...readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire.” Starred KLIATT
Synopsis
After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course Im 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 whos keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway . . .
Readers first fell in love with straight-talking D. J. Schwenk in Dairy Queen; they followed her ups and downs both on and off the court in The Off Season. Now D. J.steps out from behind the free-throw line in this final installment of the Dairy Queen trilogy.
Synopsis
Football season may be over, but basketball is about to begin, and if D.J. thinks she can escape the attention—and the pressure—her star power brings, she is mistaken.
Synopsis
Life is looking up for D. J. Schwenk, star of Dairy Queen. Shes made it to eleventh grade, shes reconnecting with her best friend, and shes got a thing going with Brian Nelson. But best of all, shes playing for the Red Bend High School football teamas the first female linebacker in northern Wisconsin.
But then the season goes suddenly, horribly wrong: her brother Win is put into the hospital after getting a devastating injury during a game. Once again, D.J. is forced to step up and be there for her family. Its a heavy burden, even for D.J.s strong shoulders. Shell have to dig deeper than shes ever had to before.
Synopsis
When you dont talk, theres a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D. J. cant help admitting, maybe hes right.
When you dont talk, theres a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isnt so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers wont even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league.
When you dont talk, theres a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D. J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.
Synopsis
This season, D.J. Schwenk steps behind the free-throw line to face the perils of love and life in this highly-anticipated final book of the Dairy Queen trilogy.
About the Author
Catherine Murdock grew up on a small farm in Connecticut and now lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband, two brilliant unicycling children, several cats, and a one-acre yard that she is slowly transforming into a wee, but flourishing ecosystem. She is the author of several books, including the popular Dairy Queen series starring lovable heroine D. J. Schwenk, Princess Ben, and Wisdom's Kiss.