Review
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“Will’s singular voice compels readers to think about all that goes into building-and
destroying-self-esteem...Splendid” (Booklist (starred review))
“I’m obsessed with this book. Wickedly funny, heartbreakingly real, full of characters to love and cheer for. DUMPLIN’
is such a star.” (Katie Cotugno, author of How to Love and 99 Days)
“DUMPLIN’ should be required reading for anyone who has ever felt even slightly uncomfortable in his or her skin. Julie
Murphy’s star continues to shine with this groundbreaking, poignant story that will surely change lives.” (John Corey
Whaley, award-winning author of Noggin and Where Things Come Back)
“Murphy…successfully makes every piece of the story…count, weaving them together to create a harmonious, humorous, and
thought-provoking whole.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
“[A] richly enjoyable novel...a clever and funny book to please lovers of thoughtful romance and secret pageant fans.”
(Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
“Genuine, romantic, and with a dash of Texan charm, this is a novel that celebrates being who you are while also
acknowledging that it’s incredibly difficult to do.” (The Horn Book)
“Portrays and challenges sterotypes about beauty pageants, size issues, and women’s concerns...Powerful.” (Voice of
Youth Advocates (VOYA))
Praise for SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY: “Honest and unflinching, this is a compelling story of one teen’s struggle with
cancer, love, and living. A worthwhile addition.” (School Library Journal)
Praise for SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY: “Readers will turn the last page wanting to know where the next chapter leads.”
(Kirkus Reviews)
Praise for SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY: “Alice and Harvey’s relationship is raw, honest, moving, and unapologetic in its
depiction of their individual, and collective, pain.” (Booklist)
From the Inside Flap
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For fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell, and Sarah Dessen comes this powerful novel with a fearless
heroine-self-procled girl Willowdean Dickson-from Julie Murphy, the accled author of Side Effects May Vary.
With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine, Dumplin' is
guaranteed to steal your heart.
Dubbed "Dumplin'" by her former beauty queen mom, Willowdean 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.