Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock Book Review

Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
(Houghton Miffling, Hardcover, October 2009)
Rating:

D.J. Schwenk knows what it's like to be stressed.  Lately, she's feeling it from all sides.  She's been overseeing her brother's physical therapy after a football accident left him nearly paralyzed.  She's dating her best friend, yet still harboring feelings for her ex.  And she's about to make the biggest decision of her life—whether to accept a basketball scholarship to a small, safe school or to risk everything by going to a big, stadium-packed school to play ball. 

This is definitely my favorite D.J. Schwenk novel yet.  Whereas Dairy Queen set out to break down stereotypes by having D.J. be the only girl on her high school's football team, Front and Center looks at the pressures that come with high school.  D.J. is really good at basketball, but she clams up on the court when the stakes are high.  As D.J. learns to be a leader and find her voice, I was rooting for her to go big and accept a scholarship at a top basketball school.  Readers will have to pick up this book to find out what choice D.J. makes, though. In Front and Center, Catherine Murdock Gilbert delivers a gripping novel that is completely true to D.J.'s voice and that accurately depicts the college decision-making.  I'm only sad that this is the final book in the trilogy...

8 comments:

  1. I really liked Dairy Queen, but I haven't gotten around to reading Front and Center. I really need to in time for this release. Nice review(:

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have Dairy Queen on my shelf, but haven't read it yet. Looks like I need to get around to it from your review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really really really WANT to read this one... it seems like all I'm doing lately is waiting for the good books to come out!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really interesting. Catherine Murdock lives about a mile down the road from me and I've had a chance to experience in incredibly hilarious and thoughtful self in person at an event here or there.

    ReplyDelete
  5. When did front and center come out? Is it out still? I want to get it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. whos her best friend??
    I am soooo confused

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness I can't wait to read Front and Center. My school librarian is probably so sick of me hounding her to buy it. Ha ha. I read Dairy Queen and The Off Season each in one night and they are one of the few books I've read twice. I LOVE THEM!If you havent read them READ THEM!!!It is way worth it.:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. her best friend is amber

    ReplyDelete

Like it, love it, or really hate it? Leave a comment and let me know. I love hearing from other people! And if you'd like to email me, my email address is emsbookshelf@gmail.com.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.