Reviews
"This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences." -- Booklist, ALA "More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her." -- Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likable...[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." -- KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." -- Minn. StarTribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner." -- VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." -- Columbus Dispatch, "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner."--VOYA October 2007, This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences. Booklist, ALA More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her. Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action." The Bulletin 9/2007 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likable...[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." KLIATT 7/1/07 KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." Minn. StarTribune 7/29/07 Minneapolis Star-Tribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner."--VOYA October 2007 VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." Columbus Dispatch 11/18/07 Columbus Dispatch, This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences., "The main character is likable…[She] has qualities uniquely her own...readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." Starred KLIATT, This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences. Booklist, ALA More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her. Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action." The Bulletin 9/2007 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likable…[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." KLIATT 7/1/07 KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." Minn. StarTribune 7/29/07 Minneapolis Star-Tribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner."--VOYA October 2007 VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." Columbus Dispatch 11/18/07 Columbus Dispatch, "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'."Minn. StarTribune 7/29/07, "The main character is likable…[She] has qualities uniquely her own...readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." Starred KLIATT, "This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences." -- Booklist, ALA "More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her." -- Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likable...[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." -- KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." -- Minn. StarTribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner." -- VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." -- Columbus Dispatch, "This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences." e" Booklist, ALA "More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her." e" Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action.e e" Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likablee[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire.e e" KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." e" Minn. StarTribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner." e" VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." e" Columbus Dispatch, "This funny, touching follow-up to Dairy Queen (2006), a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults, succeeds whether read on its own or as a sequel. . . . D. J. is an easygoing, likable narrator, full of self-deprecating humor and insight, and her struggles, whether they are everyday or life altering, will resonate with teen audiences." - Booklist, ALA "More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her." - Horn Book "Though D.J. is an enormously likable character, the impact of this book is carried through the action." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The main character is likable…[She] has qualities uniquely her own that readers can relate to, sympathize with and ultimately admire." - KLIATT "D.J.'s self-deprecating, down-to-earth voice will draw readers in, even if they have yet to read 'Dairy Queen'." - Minn. StarTribune "There is action as well as introspection in this story of overcoming adversity...attracting and inspiring...Murdock has another winner." - VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The tragicomedy is powerful." - Columbus Dispatch, More ambitious and wide-ranging than its prequel, The Off Season provides an insightful glimpse into the rewards and challenges of the culture of middle-American farm families. At the same time, it's a broad-strokes portrait of a quintessential tomboy. D.J.'s voice is all her own--strong-minded but insecure, unstructured but witty, practical but emotional--and she is easy to cheer for, whether she's accosting a bully or awkwardly trying to understand the people and relationships that so often confuse her.
