
By Julie Murphy
Book #1 in the Dumplin' series
A girl enters a beauty pageant to reclaim her confidence and challenge societal norms.
Willowdean Dixon, a self-assured teen, faces self-doubt when a romance with a charming jock shakes her confidence. To prove her worth, she enters the Miss Clover City beauty pageant, defying expectations and challenging stereotypes. As she competes alongside other unconventional contestants, Willowdean aims to show her small town—and herself—that beauty comes in all forms. Will she find the courage to stand tall and redefine what it means to be beautiful?
Now a popular Netflix feature film, starring Jennifer Aniston, Danielle Macdonald, and Dove Cameron, as well as a soundtrack from Dolly Parton!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 Dickson (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.
Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.
Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.
Top contributors: Elaine R. · Literary Leslie