Dumplin’ Movie Tie-in Edition by Julie Murphy ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

I don't read much YA literature but made an exception with this one because I want to watch the Netflix movie made from the book. I was very pleasantly surprised with the book -- it was told from a YA perspective but was a story for any age -- be proud of who you are and live your life to the fullest.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

November 2018; Balzer + Bray; 978-0062327192
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); young adult

Willowdean is in high school and her Mom has given her the nickname of Dumplin'. Willowdean knows that she's fat and she is bullied over it but she is happy with who she is and with her life. She has a best friend, a part-time job at Harpy's and does well in school. The major negatives in her life are her mom - a former beauty queen who is ashamed of her and the recent loss of an aunt who meant the world to her and who taught her to love Dolly Parton. When a potential boyfriend enters her life, she seems to lose her self confidence and starts questioning herself so she decides that she can gain back her self confidence by competing in a local beauty pageant that her mom is in charge of.  Will she be able to gain back her self confidence or will the beauty contest make her hate herself even more?

This simple little book was a definite coming of age story for teen girls and one that I wish I could have read in high school. More than that though is the universal theme of finding that inner confidence and loving who you are no matter what you look like.

 Buy Dumplin' at Amazon

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