Dumplin'

Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ follows Willowdean Dickson, a confident high school senior who has spent her life embracing the nickname “Dumplin’” given to her by a mother obsessed with beauty pageants. When Willowdean decides to enter the local Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant, she upends small-town expectations and challenges rigid standards of appearance. The novel explores body positivity, self-worth, and the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, all while centering a diverse cast of friends navigating first love, identity, and social pressure. Murphy’s narrative distinguishes itself through its unapologetic celebration of plus-size protagonists and its authentic portrayal of queer friendship, offering readers a story that prioritizes inner strength over external validation. Set against the backdrop of Texas pageant culture, the book examines how communities define beauty and how individuals can redefine themselves on their own terms. With a grounded, character-driven approach, Dumplin’ invites young readers to question societal norms and recognize the value of authenticity in a world that often demands conformity.