Dumplin’
Art by Daniel Stolle and Design by Aurora Parlagreco
Age range: young adult
Audio narrated by: Eileen Stevens
ISBN 10: 0062327194
ISBN-13: 978-0062327192
Find the Dumplin’ and Puddin’ Readers’ Guide here
The #1 New York Times bestseller and feel-good YA of the year—about Willowdean Dixon, the fearless, funny, and totally unforgettable heroine who takes on her small town’s beauty pageant.
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dixon (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body.
With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.
Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any girl does.
Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.
Praise for Dumplin’
★ Booklist
“Will’s singular voice compels readers to think about all that goes into building-and destroying-self-esteem...Splendid”
★ Publishers Weekly
“Murphy…successfully makes every piece of the story…count, weaving them together to create a harmonious, humorous, and thought-provoking whole.”
Katie Cotugno, author of How to Love and 99 Days
“I’m obsessed with this book. Wickedly funny, heartbreakingly real, full of characters to love and cheer for. DUMPLIN’ is such a star.”
John Corey Whaley, award-winning author of Noggin and Where Things Come Back
“Dumplin’ should be required reading for anyone who has ever felt even slightly uncomfortable in his or her skin. Julie Murphy’s star continues to shine with this groundbreaking, poignant story that will surely change lives.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“[A] richly enjoyable novel...a clever and funny book to please lovers of thoughtful romance and secret pageant fans.”
The Horn Book
“Genuine, romantic, and with a dash of Texan charm, this is a novel that celebrates being who you are while also acknowledging that it’s incredibly difficult to do.”
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“Portrays and challenges sterotypes about beauty pageants, size issues, and women’s concerns...Powerful.”
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