“I didn't choose to be a ballet dancer. I was chosen.”
— Paige reflecting on her destiny and the demanding nature of ballet.
Archivist's Choice
Front and Center
Catherine Gilbert Murdock (2009)
Genre
Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
250 min
Key Themes
See below
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D.J. Schwenk, a girl who'd rather be in the background, finds herself front and center on the basketball court, in the spotlight of college scouts, and in the complicated tangle of new romance and an undeniable past love.
Synopsis
D.J. Schwenk, a talented basketball player, returns to her small-town life after five months, hoping to go back to being 'plain old background D.J.' However, her coach, college scouts, and the entire town have other plans, pushing her into the spotlight. She deals with recruitment, college visits, and the threat to her family's farm, all while trying to move on from her ex-boyfriend, Brian Nelson, who keeps reappearing. Meanwhile, a charming new junior, Curtis, enters her life, offering romance and karaoke distractions. As D.J. grapples with new team dynamics, old rivalries, and a playoff push, she must confront her feelings for Brian, make personal sacrifices, and lead her team to the State Championship. The story ends with D.J. finding her voice and deciding her own future, on and off the court.
Reading time
250 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Hopeful, Romantic, Authentic
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy YA romance with a strong, athletic female protagonist, small-town charm, and a focus on personal growth.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fantasy/sci-fi or stories without a high school sports focus.
Plot Summary
The End of the Off-Season, The Start of Something New
D.J. Schwenk begins her senior year, still affected by the previous spring's events. She has broken up with Brian Nelson, the football star from Hawley, and is trying to move on, though thoughts of him remain. She is also trying to understand her new friendship with Curtis, a student at Red Bend High. Her main focus is basketball, as college scouts are watching her closely. Her coach, Coach P., pushes her hard, seeing her potential for Division I. D.J. feels the weight of expectations from her family, the town, and herself, as she tries to prove her abilities and secure her future.
New Team Dynamics and Old Rivalries
The Red Bend basketball team faces a tough season after several key players graduated. D.J. is the clear leader, a role she is not entirely comfortable with but accepts. The team struggles early on, and D.J. feels pressure to carry them. Adding to her stress is the return of Maria, a talented player who transferred away years ago and is now back. Maria is a rival from D.J.'s past, and their competitive history immediately creates tension on the court, as D.J. tries to lead a united team.
Curtis and the Karaoke Challenge
D.J.'s relationship with Curtis, a quirky and charming junior from Red Bend, grows. He is clearly interested in her, and while D.J. enjoys his company, she hesitates to commit, still guarded after her breakup with Brian. Curtis, known for his love of karaoke, challenges D.J. to sing a duet with him at a local restaurant. This public performance pushes D.J. outside her comfort zone, forcing her to confront her shyness and the vulnerability of being in the spotlight outside of sports. The experience strengthens their bond, even as D.J. remains unsure about their future.
Brian's Return and Lingering Feelings
Just as D.J. starts to feel some normalcy, Brian Nelson reappears. He begins attending Red Bend basketball games; his presence is a constant reminder of their past. D.J. tries to ignore him, focusing on the game, but his eyes on her are noticeable. Their interactions are brief and awkward at first, full of unspoken tension. Brian eventually talks to her, expressing regret and a desire to reconcile. This brings back significant emotional conflict for D.J., who is still hurt but also acknowledges her lingering feelings for him.
Recruitment Pressures and College Visits
The college recruitment process intensifies for D.J. She receives offers and visits from several Division I schools, including the University of Wisconsin and the University of Iowa. These visits are exciting but overwhelming, as D.J. struggles to see herself at any of them. She feels pressure from her coach, her family, and the scouts to make the 'right' decision, one that will secure her future and validate her hard work. The choices before her represent a complete change of life, far from her familiar farm and family, adding to her conflict about identity and belonging.
The Farm's Future and Family Worries
Beneath D.J.'s basketball success, her family's dairy farm faces increasing financial difficulties. Her father, Joe, works tirelessly, but the economic climate for dairy farmers is tough. D.J. is aware of their struggles, and this adds another layer of pressure to her college decision. She feels loyal to her family and the farm, sometimes wondering if pursuing basketball is selfish when her family needs her. The potential sale of some land shows the precariousness of their situation and D.J.'s desire to help, even if it means sacrificing her own dreams.
Maria's Challenge and Team Unity
Maria's presence on the Red Bend team continues to create tension. Her individual playing style clashes with D.J.'s leadership and the team's need for cohesion. During practices and games, their rivalry often causes issues, affecting team morale. D.J. confronts Maria directly, on and off the court, to try and integrate her into the team. This challenge tests D.J.'s leadership skills beyond just scoring points; she must manage personalities and build unity to ensure the team's success, especially with their playoff hopes on the line.
The Playoff Push and Personal Sacrifices
As the Red Bend team makes its playoff push, D.J.'s commitment grows. She dedicates herself entirely to basketball, often sacrificing her social life and studies to practice and prepare. The physical demands are immense, and she plays through minor injuries, showing her determination. Each game becomes a high-stakes battle, and D.J. feels the weight of her team's and town's expectations. Her performance on the court is stellar, but the emotional and physical toll is significant, pushing her to her limits as she strives for a state championship.
Confronting Brian and Emotional Honesty
The tension between D.J. and Brian reaches a breaking point. After a difficult game or a poignant interaction, D.J. decides she can no longer avoid a direct conversation. They meet, and D.J. expresses her hurt and confusion from their past breakup, while Brian articulates his remorse and his continued feelings for her. This conversation is raw and emotional, forcing both of them to be honest about their mistakes and their lingering connection. It is a crucial step for D.J. in processing her emotions, whether it leads to reconciliation or final closure, allowing her to move forward with clarity.
The State Championship Game
The Red Bend team, against many expectations, makes it to the state championship game. D.J. is at the peak of her game, but the pressure is immense. The opposing team is formidable, and the game is close until the very end. D.J. makes crucial plays, both offensively and defensively, showing her leadership and skill. She rallies her teammates, including Maria, who finally fully integrates into the team's effort. The entire town is watching, and D.J. plays with fierce determination, understanding that this game is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice, and will define her high school legacy.
The Aftermath and Future Decisions
Following the state championship game, regardless of the outcome, D.J. processes the end of her high school basketball career. The immediate aftermath is a mix of exhaustion, relief, and reflection. She must now make her final decision about which college to attend, a choice that has significant implications for her athletic future, her education, and her independence. Simultaneously, she must clarify her relationships with both Brian and Curtis. With the intense pressure of basketball behind her, D.J. is finally able to look inward and decide what truly matters to her for the next chapter of her life.
Principal Figures
D.J. Schwenk
The Protagonist
D.J. learns to embrace her leadership role, confronts her past relationships, and makes a pivotal decision about her future, stepping into the 'front and center' of her own life.
Brian Nelson
The Love Interest
Brian seeks redemption and closure with D.J., learning to respect her boundaries while still fighting for their relationship.
Curtis
The Love Interest/Friend
Curtis patiently pursues D.J., showing her a different kind of romantic connection, and helps her step out of her comfort zone.
Coach P.
The Supporting
Coach P. continues to push D.J. to excel, helping her navigate the pressures of college recruitment and leadership.
Joe Schwenk
The Supporting
Joe continues to work tirelessly to support his family and the farm, providing a steady presence for D.J. amidst her turbulent senior year.
Maria
The Supporting/Rival
Maria transitions from being a rival to a contributing teammate, learning to play within a team structure.
Amber
The Supporting
Amber remains a constant, supportive friend to D.J., providing stability and perspective.
Winona
The Supporting
Winona continues to grow and develop, serving as a reminder of D.J.'s roots and family responsibilities.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
D.J. struggles with who she is outside of being a basketball player and a farm girl. Her senior year forces her to confront her future, her relationships, and her own desires. The college recruitment process makes her question where she belongs and if she truly wants to leave her familiar life. Her interactions with Curtis, especially the karaoke challenge, push her to explore aspects of her personality beyond her athletic skills, forcing her to consider who she is when she's not 'D.J. the basketball star.'
“In photographs, of course, I’m always in the background. My whole life I’ve been in the background. But now, it turns out, other folks have big plans for D.J.”
The Weight of Expectations
D.J. faces great pressure from various sources: her coach, college scouts, her family's financial struggles, and the entire town of Red Bend. Everyone seems to have an opinion or a hope for D.J.'s future, particularly regarding her basketball career. This theme appears in the descriptions of college visits and the high-stakes playoff games, where D.J. feels the burden of carrying her team and fulfilling the dreams of others. She constantly battles the internal and external pressures to make the 'right' decision for her future, rather than just her own happiness.
“It was like everyone in Red Bend had a piece of my future already carved out for me. I just had to figure out if it was the piece I wanted.”
Love, Loss, and Second Chances
This theme explores D.J.'s complicated romantic life, particularly her lingering feelings for Brian Nelson and the emergence of Curtis. She is still healing from her past breakup but is forced to confront those emotions when Brian re-enters her life. The story looks at whether second chances are possible and if past hurts can truly be overcome. Simultaneously, her budding relationship with Curtis offers a different, potentially healthier, path forward, forcing D.J. to weigh her emotional investments and decide what kind of love she truly desires.
“He was a mistake I couldn't stop thinking about. And Curtis... Curtis was a possibility I was too scared to reach for.”
Loyalty vs. Personal Ambition
D.J.'s deep loyalty to her family and the struggling dairy farm often conflicts with her personal ambitions for a Division I basketball career. She feels a responsibility to her family and her home, sometimes questioning if pursuing her dreams is selfish. This internal conflict is highlighted by the family's financial struggles and the potential need to sell land. D.J. must navigate the tension between staying true to her roots and pursuing a future that takes her far away, ultimately deciding where her primary allegiance lies.
“Every time a scout talked about scholarships, I saw Dad's tired face, and the leaky roof of the milking parlor.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Narrative
The story is told entirely from D.J.'s perspective.
The novel employs a first-person narrative, allowing readers direct access to D.J.'s thoughts, feelings, and internal struggles. This intimate perspective helps to convey her dry wit, her pragmatic approach to life, and her underlying vulnerabilities. It makes her internal conflicts, such as her indecision about Brian and Curtis, and her anxieties about college, feel immediate and personal. The reader experiences the world through D.J.'s observant and often understated lens, making her growth and self-discovery more impactful.
Sports as Metaphor
Basketball serves as a central metaphor for life's challenges and D.J.'s personal growth.
Basketball is not just a sport in the novel; it's a powerful metaphor for D.J.'s life. The pressures of the game, the need for teamwork, the drive to win, and the physical and mental demands all mirror her personal struggles. Learning to lead her team, confronting rivals like Maria, and performing under pressure in crucial games reflect her journey in embracing her own leadership, overcoming personal conflicts, and stepping into the 'front and center' of her own life. The court becomes a proving ground for her character and her future.
Symbolism of the Dairy Farm
The farm represents D.J.'s roots, family, and the challenges of her rural life.
The Schwenk dairy farm is a potent symbol throughout the novel. It represents D.J.'s roots, her family's heritage, and the hardworking, grounded values she embodies. Its struggles highlight the financial pressures on her family and create a stark contrast to the glamorous world of Division I athletics. The farm symbolizes the comfort and familiarity D.J. might leave behind, but also the responsibilities she feels. It’s a constant reminder of where she comes from and helps ground her decisions about where she's going.
Flashbacks/Recollections
Brief moments where D.J. recalls past events, particularly with Brian.
The narrative uses subtle flashbacks or internal recollections, particularly when Brian Nelson reappears. These are not always explicit scene changes but rather D.J.'s internal musings and memories of past conversations, dates, or emotional moments with Brian. This device effectively conveys the lingering impact of their past relationship on D.J.'s present emotions and decisions, helping the reader understand the depth of their history without needing to explicitly recount previous events from the earlier books.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Every plié, every tendu, every grand jeté felt like a conversation with the universe.”
— Paige describing her deep connection and passion for dancing.
“Sometimes you have to break to truly see what you're made of.”
— Paige contemplating a difficult period in her life and career.
“Love isn't about finding someone perfect. It's about finding someone who makes your imperfections feel perfect.”
— Paige's evolving understanding of love and relationships.
“The stage is a mirror. It shows you who you are, not just who you want to be.”
— Paige's realization about the honesty and vulnerability required in performance.
“There's a difference between wanting something and being willing to bleed for it.”
— Paige on the intense dedication and sacrifice required for professional ballet.
“He saw me, really saw me, not just the dancer, but the girl underneath the layers of tulle and ambition.”
— Paige's feelings about a significant romantic interest.
“Fear can be a compass if you let it point you towards what you truly value.”
— Paige overcoming her anxieties and making a pivotal decision.
“Sometimes the greatest leaps aren't across the stage, but into the unknown.”
— Paige considering life beyond her established ballet career.
“My body was my instrument, but my heart was the conductor.”
— Paige reflecting on the emotional depth she brought to her performances.
“Being front and center isn't just about position; it's about owning your story.”
— Paige's ultimate understanding of her place in the world and her life choices.
“The applause fades, but the feeling of dancing, truly dancing, stays with you.”
— Paige reflecting on the intrinsic rewards of her art.
“Maybe happy ever after isn't a destination, but a series of beautiful, messy moments.”
— Paige's mature perspective on happiness and romance.
“Every scar tells a story, and mine are a testament to how much I loved this life.”
— Paige acknowledging the physical toll of ballet and her enduring passion.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
D.J. initially wants to return to a 'plain old background' existence after a tumultuous period, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight due to her basketball talent. Her coach and college scouts have significant plans for her, forcing her to confront her desire for anonymity versus her emerging potential and responsibilities.
