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Front and Center
Front and Center
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
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 -- it’s a family joke, actually, that us Schwenk kids could go to school naked on picture day, we’re all so crazy tall. But I mean I was returning to the background of life....  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 she should not be thinking about! Who she is DONE WITH, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway . . .

What’s going to happen if she lets these people down? What’s going to happen when she does? Because let’s face it: there’s no way, on court or off, that awkward, tongue-tied D.J. Schwenk can manage all this attention. No way at all. Not without a brain transplant. Not without breaking her heart.
ISBN-13: 9780618959822
ISBN-10: 0618959823
Publication Date: 10/19/2009
Pages: 288
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.9/5 Stars.
 7

4.9 stars, based on 7 ratings
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
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skywriter319 avatar reviewed Front and Center on + 784 more book reviews
After a lengthy detour into Win's physical recovery, I very happily return to a D.J.-centered novelâ¦and am far from disappointed. Indeed, I am utterly in love with FRONT AND CENTER. It is a perfectly written and sweet conclusion that won't leave D.J. devotees disappointed.

It is a sign of great talent that an author can write a protagonist who is rather severely flawed in her thinking and self-concept, and yet is utterly lovable. D.J. has such low confidence in herself that she is often infuriating, but she approaches everything with such a freshness that you cannot be angry at her. Instead, you will laugh with her, cry with her, and all throughout, cheer her on.

The power of the characters return in full force. The way D.J. narrates her story, there are no weak characters: everyone has a purpose and their own identity. All of the complex character development guarantees that you will fall in love with some, if not all, of them. Brian Nelson in particular is a sweetheart, and fans of him from the earlier books will appreciate his growth and maturation alongside D.J.'s.

The D.J. books contain remarkably authentic, yet relatable, details about situations involving rural living and sports. Even if you have no experience with either, D.J.'s candid and unassuming narration will make you fall right into her world and never want to come out.

If you're looking for a book containing a strong female protagonist, a contemporary story with equal parts excellent plotting and characterization, a sweet but not overbearing romance, tomboys, and lots of laughs, don't hesitate to check out Catherine Gilbert Murdock's books about D.J. Schwenk, starting with DAIRY QUEEN. I'm sad that the series has to end, but beyond satisfied at how Murdock elegantly ties everything together for a hopeful future. This is a series that should not be missed!

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