Parents' Guide to

Dumplin'

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Smart, funny, body-positive coming-of-age story.

Book Julie Murphy Coming of Age 2015
Dumplin' Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Beclee101
Beclee101 Adult
November 1, 2018
age 15+

Nice story about diversity, a fun read

This is a fun read for older teens. My issue for younger kids is there is much talk about sex and some pretty descriptive scenes surrounding sex and kissing. Language can be strong in spots, and it is completely unneeded. I feel the author missed the mark by adding in what she thinks kids want, which is sex and language, This book would have been absolutely perfect of a younger teen if she had just removed some of that which detracted from the story. Overall, for older teens it is a fun read and lighthearted!

This title has:

Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
lululuv123
lululuv123 Adult
September 22, 2022
age 10+

Touching Story

Touching story about girls feeling uncomfortable in her body. There is some mild language like "hell" but should be perfectly fine for ten and up. There is no sex, the main character does end up kissing but it is perfectly age appropriate.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Willowdean Dickson, a high school junior, has always been fat and happy. But when she starts falling for her cute coworker and he starts falling for her, she suddenly starts to question everything she ever thought about herself and her relationship to her body. Just as she's trying to get her self-confidence back, she has a huge fight with her best friend about entering the local beauty pageant. As if that weren't enough, Willowdean's frosty relationship with her beauty-queen mother (who gave her the nickname DUMPLIN') takes a nosedive when she starts to invade her mother's pageant territory. But Willowdean feels she has just as much of a right to participate as anyone, even if she knows she won't win. Can she survive the pageant, get her best friend back, and get the guy? And will she ever be comfortable in her own skin again?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (6 ):

Smart, funny, confident, beautiful, and -- oh, yeah -- fat Texas teen Willowdean is a breath of fresh air. Author Julie Murphy brings an authenticity and universality to her heroine’s voice as Willowdean searches to restore her self-confidence. Even teens who've never been overweight will relate to Willowdean's insecurities and learn how to get past their own. Issues about insecurity that anyone can understand, as well as many specific to body positivity, are honestly and forthrightly presented in many ways, from funny to poignant to infuriating and everything in between.

Colorful, believable characters round out small-town Clover City, Texas. Teens will enjoy rooting for Willowdean and her misfit friends as they claim their rightful places in society as people who deserve respect and happiness.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about being fat. Do you think it's possible to be fat and beautiful? If not, why not?

  • If she could wave a magic wand and just be thin, do you think Willowdean would do it? Why, or why not? Is there anything about yourself you would magic away if you could?

  • How important did you think a person's weight was before you read this book? Did reading this book change your thinking about weight?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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