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Dumplin’ | September 23, 2015

by Julie Murphy (Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins Children’s Books, September 2015)

Dumplin’ is the kind of book that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you wish you could read it forever and ever. Willowdean Dickson (whose mother calls her Dumplin’) is a Dolly Parton super-fan, a loyal friend, and self-proclaimed fat girl who never lets her weight affect her confidence. That is, until the hot guy she has a crush on starts crushing on her back. Instead of making her feel more confident, their newfound romance leaves her confused and makes her question herself. And on top of that, she and her best friend have just gotten in their first real fight. To beat this insecurity, get her mind off missing her best friend, and basically prove everybody wrong, Willowdean sets her sights on becoming the most unexpected beauty queen her small town has ever encountered. With heart-wrenchingly accurate descriptions of insecurity, grief, friendship, and first love, Dumplin’ is an absolute home run. Pick up this book. No ifs, ands, or buts. And, as the tagline says, prepare to go big or go home!

 


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