Dairy Queen

Title: Dairy Queen
Series: Dairy Queen #1

Author: Catharine Gilbert Murdock

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Publication Date: May 22, 2006

Hardcover: 288 pages

Original Language: English (American)

Audiobook or physical book: Overdrive Audiobook

Description from Amazon:

Grade 7-10-After her father is injured, 15-year-old D.J. Schwenk takes over the lion's share of work on her family's small Wisconsin dairy farm. Between milking cows, mucking out the barn, and mowing clover, this erstwhile jock takes on training Brian, the rival high school's quarterback. A monster crush and a tryout for her own school's football team ensue. D.J., a charming if slightly unreliable narrator, does a good deal of soul-searching while juggling her grinding work schedule, an uncommunicative family, and a best friend who turns out to be gay. Savvy readers will anticipate plot turns, but the fun is in seeing each twist through D.J.'s eyes as she struggles with whether she really is, as Brian puts it, like a cow headed unquestioningly down the cattle shoot of life. Wry narration and brisk sports scenes bolster the pacing, and D.J.'s tongue-tied nature and self-deprecating inner monologues contribute to the novel's many belly laughs. At the end, though, it is the protagonist's heart that will win readers over. Dairy Queen will appeal to girls who, like D.J., aren't girly-girls but just girls, learning to be comfortable in their own skins. The football angle may even hook some boys. Fans of Joan Bauer and Louise Rennison will flock to this sweet confection of a first novel, as enjoyable as any treat from the real DQ.-Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA

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*Interesting side note - the author of this book is actually  the sister of uber famous Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love)

The life of a dairy farmer isn't easy and since her father's hip injury 15 year old DJ Swank has been responsible for her family farm's daily operation. She has been responsible for milking, haying, and painting among other things. Responsibilities which cause her to flunk English because she was just too tired to write the papers when she was done.

The Swanks are also a football family. DJ's two oldest brothers have left Redbend on Football scholarships and family tension leads to their alienation from the family. When the opposing high school's quarterback, Brian, comes to the Swank farm to learn about the farming business. DJ agrees to act as his trainer to get him ready for the upcoming season. Along with the responsibilities fo the farm, the duo lift weights and run together, forming a true friendship. As she trains with him she decides that she will try out for her own high school's football team.

While DJ is allowed to play on the team, romantic feelings between her and Brian lead to additional tensions in DJ's life. In addition, DJ must deal with her family's issues and the fact that her best female friend has been in love with her for years. A coming out that DJ was not expecting.

Overall: A cute diary of a farmgirl who loves football, and a coming of age story of a girl who just wants to be accepted for who she is. While the story is predictable it is a pleasant read for it's intended audience (middle school readers).

Location: Redbend, Wisconsin, USA
Awards:

• School Library Journal Best Books List, 2006
• VOYA Review Editor's Choice, 2006
• VOYA Top-Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers, 2006
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007