"Prove me wrong."
For the protagonist of Julie Murphy's Dumplin', being fat is no big deal. Willowdean Dickson has grown accustomed to the stares and jokes that accompany her weight. In fact, she's gotten to the point where she couldn't care less what her classmates think of her. If she wants to hang out with her skinny best friend, she does. If she wants to wear a swimsuit in public, who's going to stop her? Then, in the summer after tenth grade, she meets Bo, a private school jock who seems to like her as much as she likes him. But as they draw closer, Will's unshakable confidence begins to waver. If she wants to reclaim it, she'll have to put everything and everyone she loves on the line--and even that might not be enough.
This is the story of a girl taking back her identity without changing it in the process. It is a story about loving who and what you are, regardless of what others think of you. While Will is far from shy about her weight, others are not so kind. Still, with the help of Ellen, her best friend and fellow Dolly Parton fanatic, she spurns social norms and boldly forges her own path. Even the self-consciousness Bo unknowingly inflicts upon her can't stand up against the force of her friendship with El. That is, until even this piece of her foundation is threatened. With everything at stake, Will must decide what she values most and find the strength to fight for it, no matter the cost. As she comes into her own, readers will have little trouble cheering from the sidelines, likely because Will's journey so closely parallels their own, whether they realize it or not.
Dumplin' is gorgeously written. Will is a straightforward, relatable protagonist with a huge heart. She has no qualms about describing her body, yet this doesn't overwhelm the storytelling. The no-nonsense, if slightly cynical, narration fits her personality well, casting this small Texan town and its inhabitants into a light only a teenager would see. Everything from her slightly run-down house to the annual Miss Teen Blue Bonnet beauty pageant is described in loving detail, regardless of whether Willowdean approves of it. This applies to characters, as well, so everyone is complex, dynamic, and at least a little sympathetic--even if we only see them a few times over the course of the plot.
Will's quest for confidence is one most readers can relate to, regardless of their body weight. Murphy knows this, and has dived into the plot with one purpose: to prove that everyone is a beautiful, unique human being worthy of love. To that end, she employs characters from all walks of life--including ethnic minorities, low-income families, Dolly Parton impersonators, gays, and other "undesirables" looked down on by society. Miraculously, stereotypes are few and far between, leaving each and every character well-rounded and memorable.
Despite all the positive messages, however, there are a few things to take note of before cracking this title open. Language is pretty uncommon and generally minor, but there are occasions in which stronger vocabulary is used. One girl decides to take her relationship with her boyfriend to the next level, and agonizes over every detail with her best friend beforehand, leaving the actual encounter fairly vague. Meanwhile, on-page romance is limited to shy looks and passionate kissing. At one point, a school dance turns dirty, although Willowdean abstains. Certain characters, particularly bullies, can be crude and cruel in their attempts to bring down the heroes. The Dicksons have to deal with the aftermath of a terrible loss throughout the story, which greatly impacts the plot. Violence is minimal and well-deserved.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something addressing insecurity, self-esteem, and discovering one's true self in the face of a society that forces everyone into a mold. Willowdean Dickson is a marvelous heroine living in a remarkably believable world where social norms define who you are. Ugly, overweight, and otherwise different kids are outcasts, while brains, beauty, and brawn are highly praised. Willowdeen's fight to take back her positive self-image is both admirable and reckless, a dangerous combination that is extraordinarily difficult to put down. In the end, the original premise and stunning plot win Julie Murphy's Dumplin' five golden stars.
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