CATHERINE GILBERT MURDOCK
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Catherine Gilbert Murdock
books and other great stuff
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​The Book of Boy
A young outcast is swept up in a perilous medieval treasure hunt.  

★ “Blend epic adventure with gothic good and evil, and add a dash of sly wit for a tale that keeps readers turning the page.”
Kirkus (starred review)
Even more on The Book of Boy! 

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Dairy Queen
Tongue-tied D.J. Schwenk decides to break out — in more ways than one — and stuns the town of Red Bend, Wisconsin. 
★ "A painfully funny novel.”
- Kirkus (starred review)

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The Off Season 
D.J.’s season couldn’t be better . . . until everything begins to go horribly wrong, and she discovers she’s stronger than she ever thought.  

★“Readers will root for her at every tragicomic turn.”
- School Library Journal (starred review)

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Front and Center 
Back in school, D.J. is delighted to fade into the background — but her coach and a certain karaoke-singing junior have other plans. 
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“5 stars.”
​- teensreadtoo.com

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Princess Ben 
Benevolence of Montagne is plump, stubborn, and heir to the throne – unless the current queen kills her first. Locked in the castle’s highest tower, Ben makes a discovery that will change her life, and her kingdom.
★ “A rip-roaring yarn.” 
​- Booklist (starred review)

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Wisdom’s Kiss 
A princess, a kitchen maid, a soldier . . . and an unforgettable cast of oddballs and miscreants in this hilarious and exceptional romantic adventure. 
★ “A joyful, timeless fantasy.”
– Booklist (starred review)

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Heaven is Paved with Oreos
Sarah Zorn is better with numbers than with people. Numbers are rational — unlike her fake-boyfriend Curtis Schwenk, who doesn’t even seem to like her. But not-liking is what she wants . . . isn’t it? 

“A sweet story about family and love.”
​- Booklist

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Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America
And now for something completely different . . . It’s not fiction and it’s not YA, but Domesticating Drink relates the fascinating history of Prohibition, and the critical role of women — both activists and everyday souls — in the passage and ultimate defeat of this constitutional amendment. 

​One of The Five Best Books on Alcohol
– Wall Street Journal

Other writing
Bonus fiction! “The Dolorous Draper,” a dragon tale.
A faux fairy tale I wrote for Wisdom’s Kiss. Link here >>
“The Adventures of Mommy Buzzkill,” Horn Book 2009
Why do children’s books almost never include mothers? This insightful article explains all. Link here >>
“Magic Books,” Horn Book 2016
Reflections on the magic that books hold for young readers. Link here >>
“How to Write a Fictional Journal: The Real Stories of Fake People,” Children’s Book Review 2013
A narrator’s journal can be a great way (see Dairy Queen) to tell a story. Here are some tips. Link here >>
“So You Want to Read Middle Grade,” Green Bean Teen Queen 2013
Stop categorizing books like mine into smarmy “middle-grade fiction.” Call them what they are: great stories! Link here >>
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  • Home
  • All my books!
  • Appearances
  • Mushroom pie
  • Bonus fiction!
  • Contact & FAQ
  • Favorites
  • How to Write