Customer Reviews
A thousand times better than the food chain. 
2008-07-23
This book series is my new obsession. Picking up Dairy Queen at the library on a passing recommendation, I began the first chapter right before bed. After literally howling with laughter, I had to sneak out to the other room to finish (so I wouldn't bother my husband), and ended up staying up until 2:00 am. Then, I spent most of the rest of the night thinking about it. The next morning, I woke up exhausted, but managed to read it again. Since then, I've read it two more times. WHY? WHY? WHY? What is the power this book has on me?
I adore D.J. even though she is nothing like me. Her situation is so compelling. All the crazy things that happen to her, all the hardships, all the life-learning...her voice makes going through them with her incredibly moving and satisfying, not to mention she's hilarious.
This is a beautiful story written with a very skilled hand. I recommend it to everyone as an entertaining and quality book.
Enjoyable read 2008-05-17
I found this book to be a quick and easy read as well as enjoyable. D.J. is a likable girl who deals with her troubles in a very honest way. She comes across as "what you see is what you get" and seems to be comfortable with herself. And you really appreciate her sense of humor. I really enjoyed the message regarding character.
My New Favorite Book!!! 2008-04-27
I loooooved this modern day tale of a not so obviouse couple falling in love!! I've suggested this charming book to all of my friends and at the moment is being borrowed by one of them and a few others are on hold waiting for it! If you read this then you MUST read the sequal "The Off Season"!!!
Lovable Characters! 2008-04-17
Heartwarming and Inspiring Book.
As an adult, this is a prime example of why I thoroughly enjoy reading teen literature. It's not that I want to relive my high school days but some authors (like Catherine Murdock) do such a great job of describing the emotions and situations during that time that many of us can relate to. Great group characters that you can connect with.
A Good Read! 
2008-03-08
A must read for anyone who grew up or lives on a farm! Great for teen romance stories! No sex, violence or nudities.
Dairy queen 2008-01-23
When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D. J. can't help admitting, maybe he's right.
When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.
Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn't 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 won't 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 don't talk, there's 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.
Dairy Queen guided reading 2007-11-29
I am reading this novel with high school students of various levels and they are all enjoying and identifying with the book. I have written guided reading questions, vocabulary and research project suggestions for each chapter and will share them if you e-mail me and request them mcollelo@sbcglobal.net
Unusual voice 2007-11-28
This book has a fresh and suprising narrator. So many YA books have smart and bookish kids, but this one is a jock, and the details of football training and rural life are spot-on. I was glad that there were few easy answers, and I was left wanting more. Good thing there's a sequel!
You've Gotta Love D.J. 2007-11-01
Catherine Gilbert Murdock has written a great coming-of-age story that will appeal to readers of all ages. D.J. Schwenk, a Wisconsin farm girl, belongs to a family that is long on work ethic, but misses the boat on communicating. Since no one in her family talks to each other, D.J. has a lot of time to think about things - her disabled father's cooking experiments; her two older brothers who haven't been home since Christmas; her workaholic mother who's never home; a younger brother who barely talks at all; the handsome quarterback who's helping out on her family farm for the summer; and her own desire to play on her school's football team. How D.J. comes to terms with all the dilemmas she faces, makes for a fun-filled read. Excellent writing by the author coupled with wonderfully-crafted characters makes this book an all-out winner.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too 2007-10-17
The only sport that D.J. will truly ever know is football, what with most of her family playing it and the cows having names like Joe Namath. The only life D.J. Schwenk is used to is the farm life. Now that her two oldest brothers are gone to college, and never seem to stay in contact with them, and her father having a bad hip, it's up to D.J. and her brother, Curtis, the one that hardly ever talks, to get things done.
But this summer it looks like D.J. will be getting an extra hand from Brian Nelson, the football player from Hawley, the enemy school. Even though Brian is helping, he isn't very good at it. Let's just say his farm work is as bad as his football skills. But for some reason, everyone thinks he's the next greatest football player. What's worse is that D.J. is actually starting to like Brian, but he's the enemy and can hardly throw a ball. So what does D.J. do? Well, she starts to train Brian, since she would always have to help her brothers during football season, and maybe now Brian would see her as more than just a farm girl.
That's not the only issue that D.J. has though; her mother is working two jobs to support the family and it seems like she is keeping something from them. And D.J.'s best friend isn't being so friendly anymore. And what about the idea that just so suddenly pops up into D.J.'s mind, the one that says she should try out for the football team. Let's just hope that not everyone in her town will go crazy over this idea, especially her parents. But can she do it?
DAIRY QUEEN is an extremely cute coming-of-age novel. It goes against all the clichés where girls are just not good at guy sports. And D.J. is the perfect heroine, showing that anyone can do anything if they just put their mind to it. A wonderful story that is far from ice-cream -- but it still fills your heart with joy!
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
