Puddin' is a story about two very different girls, Millie and Callie, who have to learn to work with each other after Callie makes a very poor decision and breaks into the gym that Millie's uncle owns. Callie is the mean-girl type who is then kicked off the dance team and must pay off her debt by working at the gym. This is how Callie and Millie begin to become friends. Millie is the all-things-positive-and-if-they're-not-good-I'm-going-to-make-them-good type. She is relentlessly optimistic and when Willowdean, Amanda, Hannah, and Ellen think she is crazy for inviting Callie into their friend group after all she's done, Millie is ever-hopeful that there is a hidden part to Callie and that they can build a friendship. Here is a link to the Goodreads summary.
This is a second book in the Dumplin' universe that Julie Murphy has created. Millie is a very different character compared to Willowdean, but it was interesting to learn more about who she is beyond the ever-cheerful girl in Dumplin' where she seems very one-dimensional. This story also has two protagonists: Mille and Callie (also introduce in Dumplin' Callie is kind of a "mean girl" stereotype). It was interesting to learn more about Millie's family dynamic and see how she is striving to become more than who her mom sees her as. She feels that her mom is stuck and sees Millie as her past self whereas Millie sees more for herself and her future than her mom does. Callie's story is not as fleshed out as Millie's but you do learn more about her past and why she can be so mean and angry. I did enjoy seeing Millie's influence on Callie which helped Callie envision herself differently and try to change.
If I compare it to Dumplin' I liked Millie's story but I think Dumplin's story was more rollercoaster-y and emotional. If I ranked them I'd say I liked Dumplin' a little more than I like Puddin' because of the single character focus. I would say that while Puddin' has two narrators, Millie really is the main protagonist, and Callie, while developed, still feels more like a supporting character. You see Callie learn and grow throughout the book, but it's more so that Millie can fully actualize her goals - without Callie there to do a little pushing she never would have tried for Journalism Camp
This ultimately is a story about standing up for who you are in the now. Being able to define for yourself what you want and persistently pursuing it. Not letting people (important people and not) stand in your way.
This is also a story about friendship - being open and trusting enough to allow someone into your life. Accepting people's quirks and all. Reflecting on bad choices you've made (Callie) and trying to change for the better: building people up rather than breaking them down.
Overall, I enjoyed the spirit of the characters in this story and appreciating stepping back into the Dumplin' universe. So if you like Dumplin' give this book a try, or if you like books that have a powerful, positive message, this could be the book for you!
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