Front and Center (Dairy Queen Trilogy)

After gobbling the Dairy Queen series up as fast as I possibly could, I'm now a little heartbroken that it's over. Front and Center was a fantastic ending and just as good as the first two installments. D.J. thinks that things are about to go back to normal for her, but boy is she wrong.I can't think of a better ending to such a incredible series. Everything that I wanted to happen did, and then some. D.J. has grown into such an amazing character throughout this series. Really, all the characters did. From her family to Brain Nelson, they all turned out so wonderfully.D.J. is grappling with college decisions in Front and Center. Along with the usual boy issues. She handles all of it with her usual humor and wit. I know I've said it a million times, but I just love D.J. She is on my favorite characters list, you can be sure.I could ramble about these books for quite awhile, but I'll spare you. If you haven't read them yet you are missing out on one of the best YA contemporary series ever written. I could have read 10 more books about D.J. and her family, but I couldn't be more pleased with the way the series wrapped up.

Front and Center doesn't have a lot of story, but it provides excellent closure to the Dairy Queen series. While I was a little disappointed that it wasn't longer with more meat, I enjoyed it very much anyway. Murdock does a brilliant job of resolving all of the issues brought up in the previous books. The most important thing is that, like the title, DJ is front and center in this novel, right where she should be, narrating in the way that only she can. I love her so much: her humor, her work ethic, her insecurities, her heart of gold. She's one of my favorite characters of all time and I was grateful for one last hurrah.

Only 3? I love this serious so much I want there to be more books about D.J. I guess I'll have to satisfy my craving for more with the 4th companion book. Don't think I missed the author's little note in the back of this book's Q&A, though. Come 2020 I will ask for more. I would love to read about D.J.'s freshman year of college - really all 4 years - if Catherine Gilbert Murdock decides to write anything else. *please write something else*

I read these books as an adult, and even though they are written from the point of view of a high school athlete, they still kept my attention and made me want to finish all of them. No--they are not great literature, but if they get kids to read, they are great in other ways. The role models are solid, the life lessons are good, and the characters are likable. And very little teenage girl drama!

Love this author and series!!! I listened to the audio book which I also loved. I highly recommend this series!

Loved D.J's honest and emotional journey to becoming who she is - a central theme in the Dairy Queen trilogy. Found myself tearing up with the wonderful ending. Would definitely recommend the entire trilogy to anyone young or older who loves a coming-of-age story with a strong female protagonist with humor and heartstrings.

I love the main character, DJ. As a high school teacher, I see students working through problems every day. Murdock truly captures the essence of a teenager! I can't wait to tell students about this wonderful series of books!

I just love the character of DJ Schwenk! I hope this series isn't over and that the author goes on to tell us the story of her first year in college, and maybe even beyond...