vNOEM continued from page 15
Dumplin’
vBy Julie Murphy
vReviewed by Dana Schmidt, Yankton Community Library
Though she has been exposed to the pageant
world all her life, Willowdean Dickson, Will for
short, is not what you might consider typical “beauty
pageant material.” She is a self-proclaimed fat girl
and she doesn’t care much what anyone else thinks.
She doesn’t let her weight stop her from putting on a
swim suit and going to the pool with her best friend,
Ellen, on hot summer days. She is fearless and funny and loves Dolly Parton more than
anything else in the world. Her music, her hair, and the way she dresses—what’s not to
love?! Willowdean shared this love of Dolly with her mom’s sister, Lucy, who lived with
them. But now her aunt is gone and it’s just Will and her mom again.
Though she loves her mama, she is pretty sure they are from different planets. Her
mother is in charge of the annual Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant. Not only was she
crowned queen of the pageant in her glory days, but she continues to eat, breathe and
live the pageant life. Willowdean has never shown the slightest interest in any of that,
and besides, she wouldn’t fit in with all those girls.
But then Willowdean finds her Aunt Lucy’s unfinished pageant application from
years ago. Her aunt was fat too, and not nearly as glamourous as her sister. As she looks
back, she realizes her aunt hid behind her weight and let it close her off from the rest
of the world. Will decides she will not let her own weight stop her from doing what she
wants to do and being whom she wants to be. She is entering this year’s beauty pageant
for Lucy. There’s no rule that says fat girls need not apply. This inspires other outcasts
to enter as well and throws the pageant world for a loop. “It’s gonna be like a protest in
heels.” They feel like they are part of a revolution and there are plenty of heartfelt and
laugh-out-loud moments to follow.
I loved this book. It was funny and real. It’s about confidence and self-doubt.
Friendship and loyalty and family. Fast food restaurants and first crushes. Dolly Parton
drag queens and red candy suckers. It was full of heart and humor and you can’t help
rooting for Willowdean and her friends. Though this book is considered Young Adult,
anyone can appreciate the witty writing, the quirky characters, and the inspiring and
funny story.
I listened to this audiobook on Libby. The southern accent of the reader made me
love this book even more! There are a wide variety of audio and e-books available on
Libby. If you haven’t tried it yet, check it out! It will expand your reading world by leaps
and bounds and puts so many great books right at your fingertips. Just download the
app and sign in with your library card number and your last name as your pin (all
lowercase letters). Check our website or call the library for more information about the
Libby app.
Dumplin’ was also made into a movie in December 2018, available on Netflix.
Jennifer Aniston plays Willowdean’s pageant-crazy mama with Danielle Macdonald
as a spot-on Willowdean. Check out the trailer for this movie and I’m sure you’ll be
hooked!
You may also like Julie Murphy’s book, Puddin’, which is a companion book to
Dumplin’. It follows supporting characters from the first book after the Bluebonnet
pageant.
Read the books, watch the movie and start a revolution of your own! n
“In this battery, of the 114
soldiers activated today, 10 of
them were women. I was talking
with those women and visiting
with them. Some have very small
children, which is a definite
element,” Noem said.
“I have visited war zones in
other parts of the world and have
talked to women who left their
infants to serve and defend this
country.”
Regardless of gender, the Bravo
Battery soldiers are completing a
vital mission in a strategic part of
the world, Noem said.
“These soldiers are going to
Europe and deploying to show
our strength to the rest of the
world, specifically Russia. by their
presence in Poland,” she said.
“(They are showing that these
Americans mean business and
will protect our country and not
let bad actors thrive and conduct
their nefarious activities.
“We’re sending a strong
message on the world stage,
with South Dakota playing an
important role, that we will
defend freedom and that America
will remain the leader (of the free
world).”
As she takes office, Noem
wants to lead the Rushmore State
to a better future.
“It’s very important to be the
first woman (to become South
Dakota’s governor), and it’s very
humbling to be part of this whole
process,” she said.
“Going forward, I want to
create opportunities and to take
South Dakota to the next level,
where we want to be.” n
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