The number 1 on the "New York Times" bestseller list: Fat and beautiful? Insecure and brave? Dumplin' is all that and much more. Willowdean - 16 years old, a Dolly Parton fan, and the "fat girl" - is always called Dumplin' by her mother. Until now, she has generally felt comfortable in her body. She is just fat - so what? With her best friend Ellen by her side, it doesn't matter at all. But then she meets the athletic and incredibly attractive Bo. It's no wonder she falls hopelessly for him - but when he unexpectedly kisses her, it completely unsettles her. Suddenly, it does bother her a bit that she's not thin. To get a handle on her self-doubt, Will decides to take on the most intimidating challenge in all of Clover City: she wants to participate in the "Miss Teen Blue Bonnet" beauty pageant.