Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock tells the story of a girl named D.J. who has to pick up the slack on her family's farm when her father's hip injury prevents him from doing the bulk of the work. Her two older brothers, now away at college, were big hometown football stars. She helped them train for football while she trained for track and basketball.

During the summer, she has to help train Brian, the quarterback for the rival high school's football team, as a favor to the coach, a longtime friend of her father's. D.J. does so reluctantly at first, only to strike up a friendship with him -- and realize how much she herself enjoys the game. She enjoyed it so much, in fact, that she decides to go out for the team when the school year starts back up again. Some folks think she shouldn't simply because she's a girl. She proves them wrong.

D.J. also goes through a rough patch with her long-time best friend, Amber, and almost doesn't believe it herself when the two girls argue and drift apart.

In the sequel, The Off-Season, D.J. continues to juggle her school life, her home life, and her sports life. Homework and farmwork just keep coming. Then she gets injured, which obviously and completely changes her athletic schedule. Further complicating matters are D.J.'s mixed feelings about Brian and her strained relationship with her best friend. When two other family members become hurt in debilitating ways, the Schwenks have to come together in a big way - and have to make even more sacrifices.

Though these books have been strongly received by sports fans, please note that there's more to these stories than just football. It is also about family. It is about growing up on a farm, about growing up in a small town, and simply about growing up. Though D.J.'s family members don't talk or emote very much, they are everpresent: the farm and her father are always on her mind, and she misses her brothers in fits and starts.

In both books, D.J. has a lot on her plate, and if she doesn't balance it correctly, she may have to drop something and disappoint her family and herself.

Give Dairy Queen and The Off-Season to girls you know who refuse to back down when coaches tell them girls shouldn't or can't play certain sports - and tell them that YES, THEY CAN!

Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover

The first book became a great discussion topic in my store and on blogs - even with people who haven't read it yet. Why? Because of two big things: the cover art and the plotline.

The hardcover version of Dairy Queen depicts a cow wearing a tiara and has the title written in pink. With that cover and that title, it attracted people who don't normally read about farm life and football. At the same time, people who WOULD like the story may not have picked it up. Some have said that looks like something which boys may shrug off or balk at, to which I add that D.J. herself might do the same. It's a cute cover, but it doesn't fit the character.

The paperback version of Dairy Queen has a completely different cover. The Off-Season shows D.J. wearing basic running clothes and a baseball hat, which is more fitting.

Movie Time

If you like Dairy Queen, you should also check out the corny-but-cute made-for-television movie Quarterback Princess starring Helen Hunt.

Related Posts:
Hey There, Sports Fan
Just Say No to Gender Bias
Cybils 2006 YA Nominees
Judging the Cover

Megan Shull writes truly refreshing and realistic stories for kids and teens. Here now are my thoughts on her three books to date.

Yours Truly, Skye O'Shea - Ages 8 and up

Shortly after Skye enters middle school, she feels overwhelmed by her homework, her first crush, and her afterschool sports. Skye worries that she'll never be as skilled or as smart as her older sisters, twins Shannon and Shelby. At home, they always make Skye feel as though it's two against one. On the ice, all three girls excel at hockey. Even after Skye makes the big team, she thinks she has push herself even more in order to prove her worth.

Skye's the Limit - Ages 8 and up

The summer between sixth grade and seventh grade is here, and most of Skye's friends are going to typical summer camps or taking vacations with their friends. Skye decides to go to an outdoor camp in Vancouver, even though she's a little scared to be so far away from home. Both her inner strength and physical strength are tested as she battles homesickness, makes new friends, learns how to kayak, and bicycles her heart out. This book shows kids that it's natural to be worried about going to a sleepaway camp, and that while a different sport or activity might seem weird at first, they should give it a try - they just might discover a new and exciting hobby!

After you read these books, I bet that you, like me, will be wishing there were more Skye stories.

Amazing Grace - Ages 13 and up

Amazing Grace is an absolutely sweet story about a tennis pro who takes a much-needed break from it all. It has so much heart and it made me smile. Readers can't help but root for Grace to find her way. I feel that Amazing Grace is the one of the best attempts at the "de-celebrity" or "makeunder" storyline, something which many teen books have tackled in recent years. Amazing Grace is plausible and realistic without ever relying on modern-day tidbits and namedropping to make it more hip and marketable. This is the story of a girl who wanted and needed to get out of the spotlight and lead a normal life. I highly recommend this book.

I am looking forward to Megan Shull's next release, Penelope: A Girl's Manifesto, now slated for a May 2008 release from Hyperion.

Related Booklists: Full of Grace, Hey There, Sports Fan, But I Don't Want to Be Famous!