From the Publisher
With her signature blend of humor, sensitivity, and panache, Murphy has crafted a sensational narrative that is bursting with life and is anything but a drag….Murphy's best-selling Dumplin' series grows bigger and better with every installment, and this book will quickly rule the YA realm.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)
“An aspiring drag queen grows to embrace his body and individuality in this winning YA contemporary novel." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Murphy is at it again with a third return to Clover City and the Dumplin’ universe. Tackling heavy topics with humor, this novel touches on the importance of staying true to yourself even (and especially) when it’s hard. A must-purchase for fans of Murphy’s previous books, a good prom story, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.” — School Library Journal
"[This] novel is full of inspiration, fabulousness, and romance, and readers will be enthralled as they race to learn what happens to Pumpkin and his friends… Enticing as homemade pumpkin pie. Bon appétit!” — Kirkus Reviews
“Waylon’s combination of self-confidence and self-defense is utterly believable… the stirrings of romance with Tucker are delicious and the plot overall is huggably cheesy, leaving readers cheering for Waylon, his Clover City cohort, and any kids taking a chance to be their full selves right now.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This third story set in Clover City, Texas, features a genuine and unbreakable sibling bond; a strong romantic connection; and a cast of well-developed supporting characters, including guest appearances from Willowdean and Callie and Millie. Like those protagonists, Waylon learns to love who he is and refuses to settle for anyone who doesn’t…. It’s easy to cheer for Waylon—who eventually triumphs both as himself and as Pumpkin—in this celebration of individuality and self-expression.” — Horn Book Magazine
Praise for PUDDIN’: “Murphy’s plot brims with unlikely friendships, irresistible romance, fabulous fat acceptance, and a kick-ass ending. Buoying.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This companion to the very popular Dumplin’ introduces more memorable characters for whom readers can’t help but cheer.” — School Library Journal
“Murphy’s energetic writing style makes for compulsive readability.” — ALA Booklist
“Texans and non-Texans alike will appreciate getting to know two strong-minded Lone Star girls.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Julie Murphy has created the platonic love story of a lifetime. I am wildly in love with Puddin’.” — Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Leah on the Offbeat and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Praise for DUMPLIN’: “Will’s singular voice compels readers to think about all that goes into building-and destroying-self-esteem...Splendid” — ALA Booklist (starred review)
Praise for DUMPLIN’: “Murphy...successfully makes every piece of the story—Dolly Parton superfans, first love, best-friend problems, an unlikely group of pageant entrants, female solidarity, self-acceptance, and Willowdean’s complicated relationship with the mother...-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
The Nerd Daily
Praise for FAITH: "Putting a queer spin on a tale as old as time, Julie Murphy proves that everyone can be a superhero – no matter their size, gender, or sexual orientation – at heart, we all have the power to make the world a better place!"
Becky Albertalli
Julie Murphy has created the platonic love story of a lifetime. I am wildly in love with Puddin’.”
Shelf Awareness (starred review)
An aspiring drag queen grows to embrace his body and individuality in this winning YA contemporary novel."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Waylon’s combination of self-confidence and self-defense is utterly believable… the stirrings of romance with Tucker are delicious and the plot overall is huggably cheesy, leaving readers cheering for Waylon, his Clover City cohort, and any kids taking a chance to be their full selves right now.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Waylon’s combination of self-confidence and self-defense is utterly believable… the stirrings of romance with Tucker are delicious and the plot overall is huggably cheesy, leaving readers cheering for Waylon, his Clover City cohort, and any kids taking a chance to be their full selves right now.
ALA Booklist (starred review)
With her signature blend of humor, sensitivity, and panache, Murphy has crafted a sensational narrative that is bursting with life and is anything but a drag….Murphy's best-selling Dumplin' series grows bigger and better with every installment, and this book will quickly rule the YA realm.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Waylon’s combination of self-confidence and self-defense is utterly believable… the stirrings of romance with Tucker are delicious and the plot overall is huggably cheesy, leaving readers cheering for Waylon, his Clover City cohort, and any kids taking a chance to be their full selves right now.
Horn Book Magazine
This third story set in Clover City, Texas, features a genuine and unbreakable sibling bond; a strong romantic connection; and a cast of well-developed supporting characters, including guest appearances from Willowdean and Callie and Millie. Like those protagonists, Waylon learns to love who he is and refuses to settle for anyone who doesn’t…. It’s easy to cheer for Waylon—who eventually triumphs both as himself and as Pumpkin—in this celebration of individuality and self-expression.
The Horn Book
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.”
ALA Booklist
Murphy’s energetic writing style makes for compulsive readability.”
School Library Journal
05/01/2021
Gr 8 Up—Waylon (dubbed Pumpkin by his grandma) stands out in his small Texas town of Clover City. He is tall, fat, red-headed, and gay. He's got his head down and his eyes set on graduation and moving to Austin with his twin sister, Clementine. However, his plans fall apart when double-dumped on the same night—first by his friends with benefits, Lucas, and then when finding out that Clem has been hiding a college acceptance to an out-of-state school. Waylon channels all his angst into an audition tape for his favorite drag competition show, Fiercest of Them All, which later gets leaked to the whole school. On top of that, he is then nominated as a finalist for Prom Queen as a joke. Devasted at first, Waylon later decides to own it. Murphy is at it again with a third return to Clover City and the Dumplin' universe. This book introduces new characters and allows readers a glimpse of past favorites. Waylon is a strong protagonist—fully developed and completely unapologetic. Tackling heavy topics with humor, this novel touches on the importance of staying true to yourself even (and especially) when it's hard. VERDICT A must-purchase for fans of Murphy's previous books, a good prom story, and RuPaul's Drag Race.—Alicia Kalan, The Northwest Sch., Seattle
Kirkus Reviews
2021-03-03
High school is just the beginning.
Fans of Puddin’ (2018) and Dumplin’ (2015) can rejoice, as they’re off to visit Clover City, Texas, once again. In this installment, they’ll be introduced to Waylon “Pumpkin” Brewer, so nicknamed for his bright orange hair and freckles. Life can be difficult for a fat, flamboyant, gay teen, but it becomes even more difficult when Waylon’s mostly-not-serious video entry for a drag queen reality competition is accidentally shared widely on social media instead of being posted only for members of the school’s queer club to see. Before it’s taken down, it garners some support—and some attacks. Although senior Waylon has the support of his family, including his twin sister, Clem, and her girlfriend, Hannah, he has to deal with more homophobia at school when he’s nominated homecoming queen. Inspired by Hannah and her acceptance of the nomination for homecoming king, Waylon takes control of his story and decides to stay in the competition. The novel is full of inspiration, fabulousness, and romance, and readers will be enthralled as they race to learn what happens to Waylon and his friends. There is nuanced discussion to be had in the fitness subplot sparked by Waylon and his formerly heavy frenemy, Kyle, who is insensitive about sharing his weight-loss journey. Most main characters are White; Hannah is Afro-Dominican.
Enticing as homemade pumpkin pie. Bon appétit! (Fiction. 12-18)
