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ashleyholcomb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
aradne's review against another edition
4.0
I'm in love with how D.J. grows and comes into herself in this series. I would really recommend this to any teen or preteen girl I know.
lorilaws's review against another edition
5.0
I hope by now you’ve heard me wax poetic about Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. That book, you guys. I just can’t fully express my love for it. As soon as I finished it I started The Off Season. I’m so happy this is a trilogy or else I would have went through some serious withdrawals. And possibly even started Dairy Queen again. Oh, but never fear, there’s much more D.J., Brian, Curtis and everyone else in this installment.
To tell you the truth The Off Season went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. I won’t get into it in case you’re one of those unfortunate souls that still hasn’t experienced these books. I was certainly still pleased with the way the story played out. D.J. Is definitely growing as a character and I so happy to see her confront some of her issues. Even if she just accumulated more.
This story is more focused on family than the first one. Although, there were a few scenes with Brain that left me warm and fuzzy. The Off Season also has more heartache. The situation that D.J. finds herself in was just heart wrenching for me. I loved that she did what needed to be done though. She’s so mature and smart. I can’t help but admire her even if she’s fictional. She’s the type of character I could see being very close friends with, you know, if she were real.
Obviously, I loved The Off Season. It was a wonderful continuation of Dairy Queen. Now I can’t wait to get started on Front and Center. I hope by now you’ve added these to you must read very soon list.
To tell you the truth The Off Season went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. I won’t get into it in case you’re one of those unfortunate souls that still hasn’t experienced these books. I was certainly still pleased with the way the story played out. D.J. Is definitely growing as a character and I so happy to see her confront some of her issues. Even if she just accumulated more.
This story is more focused on family than the first one. Although, there were a few scenes with Brain that left me warm and fuzzy. The Off Season also has more heartache. The situation that D.J. finds herself in was just heart wrenching for me. I loved that she did what needed to be done though. She’s so mature and smart. I can’t help but admire her even if she’s fictional. She’s the type of character I could see being very close friends with, you know, if she were real.
Obviously, I loved The Off Season. It was a wonderful continuation of Dairy Queen. Now I can’t wait to get started on Front and Center. I hope by now you’ve added these to you must read very soon list.
anaiamei's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
A really good read. I like how this author takes messy, complicated issues and weaves them into her books in such a realistic way. D.J. is a great character of the sort that isn't often found in YA. She's genuinely awkward and has issues, not the all-too-typical pseudo flawed YA female character who is, in actuality, almost perfect in all ways. D.J. is someone I really root for, and her voice feels so authentic to me.
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
I am glad we got another look at DJ's life. We delved a little deeper and got to see the impact of some of the stories that were started in Dairy Queen. It was a more emotional ride this time, so be prepared!
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
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’s thrown at her.
This is a great YA book (named a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults). The characters act appropriately for their age and maturity, and the plot twists are believable and possible. We may not all live on a dairy farm in north central Wisconsin, but we can all relate to the trials and tribulations of school, friends, and family life. Natalie Moore does a wonderful job performing the book. Her interpretation of the characters makes them completely believable, and her pacing is perfect. I love D J and will definitely read the third installment of her story, Front and Center.
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’s thrown at her.
This is a great YA book (named a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults). The characters act appropriately for their age and maturity, and the plot twists are believable and possible. We may not all live on a dairy farm in north central Wisconsin, but we can all relate to the trials and tribulations of school, friends, and family life. Natalie Moore does a wonderful job performing the book. Her interpretation of the characters makes them completely believable, and her pacing is perfect. I love D J and will definitely read the third installment of her story, Front and Center.
stephxsu's review against another edition
5.0
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/relationship with Brian Nelson, her rival high school’s star quarterback, even more confusing than it already is. But D.J. never has to go looking for publicity and problems; they come to her. More than ever, she is worried about the future of the Schwenk farm, a dilapidated, outdated relic from the past. Her youngest brother, Curtis, has been mysteriously running off with some girl.
Things only get worse when a bad shoulder injury forces her to quit the football team, going from Most Intriguing Girl in Town to Most Despised. D.J. has no time to wallow in self-pity, however, for not long after that her brother Win is badly injured in a football game and has lost his will to live as a cripple. With all of these issues that SHE has to deal with, it’s no wonder she has no time for schoolwork, friendships, and even Brian. D.J. may be forced to grow up faster than she wants, but maybe some good will come out of it all in the end.
In THE OFF SEASON, Murdock continues her beloved heroine’s story, throwing more hardships her way. The amount D.J. has to deal with may seem like a rural soap opera sometime, but nevertheless D.J. prevails, and so does our admiration and envy of her. She is the best friend you always wish you could have.
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/relationship with Brian Nelson, her rival high school’s star quarterback, even more confusing than it already is. But D.J. never has to go looking for publicity and problems; they come to her. More than ever, she is worried about the future of the Schwenk farm, a dilapidated, outdated relic from the past. Her youngest brother, Curtis, has been mysteriously running off with some girl.
Things only get worse when a bad shoulder injury forces her to quit the football team, going from Most Intriguing Girl in Town to Most Despised. D.J. has no time to wallow in self-pity, however, for not long after that her brother Win is badly injured in a football game and has lost his will to live as a cripple. With all of these issues that SHE has to deal with, it’s no wonder she has no time for schoolwork, friendships, and even Brian. D.J. may be forced to grow up faster than she wants, but maybe some good will come out of it all in the end.
In THE OFF SEASON, Murdock continues her beloved heroine’s story, throwing more hardships her way. The amount D.J. has to deal with may seem like a rural soap opera sometime, but nevertheless D.J. prevails, and so does our admiration and envy of her. She is the best friend you always wish you could have.
embereye's review against another edition
4.0
Speedy read and I still am enjoying DJ's voice as a jock character working through a lot of shittyness in her life. May continue reading the series just because I like the main character so much although I think I've learned everything I'm going to about craft at this point from these stories.