Dumplin'

Dumplin'

YA fiction
"...But the one thing that puts our little town on the map is
that we're home of the oldest beauty pageant in Texas. The Miss Teen
Blue Bonnet Pageant started back in the 1930s and had only gotten
bigger and more ridiculous with every passing year. I should know
since my mom has led the planning committee for the last fifteen years."
Willowdean, protagonist of Julie Murphy's Dumplin', has a mother
who lives for the annual beauty pageant season. Her crowning
achievement was winning the title back in the day. Now, single
parenting and working as an orderly in a nursing home, she lives for
the time each year when she can recapture her glory days. She still
fits into her gown.
What's unusual for someone who basically centers her life around
pageants is that she never invited her only child to follow in her
stiletto steps. Willowdean feels that she's the fat girl let down.
After a lifetime of diets and girls getting skinny movies she's
convinced that her mother won't accept her as she is.
Willowdean's understanding Aunt Lucy felt more like a mother to
her. Aunt Lucy has recently died. Her mother has started getting rid
of Lucy's possessions to turn her room into a pageant crafting room, a
move Willowdean strongly resents.
One day in a box of Lucy's possessions Willowdean finds a 1994
pageant application and makes a big decision. She is going to do what
her beloved aunt was too body shamed to do. She's joined by three
other girls who have been bullied for their appearance.
If you like rooting for underdogs or are one, you'll find this
poignant and perceptive book to be a must read.
On a purrrsonal note, some people have graduated during the pandemic.
Some people's wedding plans have had to be adjusted due to the
pandemic. For my lovely daughter, Amber, it's both. This Friday she
will be married in a ceremony unlike anything she or I could have
imagined. It will be outside and social distanced and many guests
will attend via zoom. (There will be a bigger celebration when it's
safe to do so). (Jules)
I got outside yesterday. Houdini's got nothing on me. I didn't get
beyond the yard because my hooman took me inside. Someday... (Tobago)
In your dreams, Tobago! (Jules)
Bwa ha ha (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to Amber and Brian with best wishes for
a long, healthy, happy life together.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway




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