Mock Printz 2026 discussion

Our October Read is Dumplin'. This book has a lot of buzz and a lot of love, but does it have the literary qualities to make it a Printz? What did you think about this book?

I thought this book was incredibly fun and will for sure be loved by many. I'd have to read it again for more analysis, but I wasn't really feeling potential-Printz-ness from it though. That said, I am so glad movie rights were picked up. Now if only they can find the perfect person to play Willowdean...

Will is a great character. Many of the decisions she makes and the feelings she has are honest and realistic. From having a skinny beautiful best friend to body image, I felt like her inner monologue is something teens in all weight classes can relate to.

Even though her weight could have easily made her an introvert or the extreme-the extremely extroverted trying to get people to ignore her weight, she was neither of those things. Will had this wall of confidence but she was insecure and once again, a lot of us are like this. She didn’t take crap from the bully, she didn’t take crap from the hot guy, she didn’t take crap from her mom-I thought she was an awesome heroine.

There are many girls and women who think they are fat when they are not and I think these girls and women can relate to Will. She doesn’t want the boy to touch her back fat, she’s envious of her “skinny” friend, she doesn’t think she’s good enough to date an attractive boy.

Will also has honest conversations with her mother about her weight. Anyone who has a passive aggressive mother knows what I’m talking about. Will initially bites her tongue but she slowly expresses her feelings toward her mom.

All of the supporting characters were important to the plot and well developed.
With all that being said, I don't think it will be considered for Printz. When I look at the past Printz nominees and winners, I just don't think it's strong enough.

I agree with what others have said. I love the book, I love the discussion of body image issues, I absolutely LOVE the Dolly Parton show that Will and her friends see, but I don't think this one is a Printz contender.

Murphy's voice is a much needed one in today's YA landscape, and her characters carry this story. Despite the character development, I don't think the writing in this one is good enough to land a Printz.

I got a kick out of this book, which means that I really enjoyed getting to know Willowdean Dickson. She is not going to let life pass her by - even if most of the time she wants to chicken out. (She's seen that phenomenon closeup.) I liked the variety of characters inhabiting the story. No one's perfect, nothing goes smoothly.

I quite liked the writing, particularly the dialogue. I do think this is a strong year for the Printz, so maybe this book won't place. But I'm not ready to write if off yet!