First book recommendation!

Hey guys,
this is my first recommendation, I hope you'll enjoy reading it. Just text me if you want to know more.


Book 1: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Description:

Willowdean, nicknamed "Dumplin’" by her mother and called "Will" by her friends, is an overweight teenager that has always felt that she was comfortable with her body and herself. She doesn't care that her mother was a teen beauty queen or that people have poked fun at her for her weight. All of that changes when she meets Bo, a handsome boy her age that has expressed interest in dating her. Suddenly Will is full of insecurities and can't bring herself to date him out of fear of what others would say. In order to prove to her self worth, Will has decided to enter and win the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant. However as the date of the pageant progresses, Will finds that it's not that easy to take part in a pageant - especially after her best friend Ellen decides to enter. (wikipedia)

Style of writing and story:

Julie Murphy's style of writing is very down to earth. You don't have to think about the sentences you read twice but the way the story is told is very authentic and the language is suitable for a young teenage girl.
The story develops in differnet parts. On the one hand you have Willowdean's relationship with Bo, on the other her realtionship with Ellen and the realtionship with her mom. This is all a big part but another big part of the book is Willowdean's relationship with her body (influenced by her aunt Lucy). This relationship changes a lot while the story develops around a pageant that means the world to her mom. 
The ending is a little surprising but it seems to be a perfect ending for a book like Dumplin'

Cover:

I got the hard cover edition and the book's cover stuck me from the beginning. There's a beautiful woman wearing a red dress and she is about to be crowned. But the best part about the book's cover is the back because there it says:
There's something about swimsuits
that make you think you've got to earn
the right to wear them.
Really, the criteria is simple.
Do you have a body? Put a swimsuit on it.

My opinion:

I loved this book from the first page to the very end. The main character, Willowdean, is very likeable and she's got a great sense of humour. 
I think this book is special because it has a message we should all have in mind every day of our lives: You are perfect just the way you are.

Result:

This book is a 9 out of 10! This book makes you feel more confident - and that is what life is all about. Accepting yourself and loving yourself!