4. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse. ISBN 9780689865381.

Plot Summary
Tally Youngblood lives in a society that makes its citizens believe they are ugly. That is until they turn 16 and receive an operation that will make them both physically and mentally "Pretty." Tally can't wait for her sixteenth birthday. She is tired of her hair, her nose, her everything. She can't wait to join her best friend, Peris, in New Pretty Town where he is already enjoying the benefits of being a Pretty: fabulous parties, perfect clothes, fun friends. Tally can't contain her excitement and then she meets Shay, a fellow Ugly. Shay has a different view about becoming a Pretty. She is happy the way she is and believes there is a dark reason for the operation. Shay has decided to escape the society they live in and want Tally to join her in finding a place called "the Smoke." That is where others who escaped live. Shay convinces Tally to jump on their hoverboards and search for the Smoke. The fail at their attempt and head back to Uglyville, but soon after Shay disappears and doesn't come back. The authorities, led by the cruel Dr. Cable, know that Tally has information and blackmail her into leading them to Shay. If she fails she will not become a Pretty. Tally finds the rebel camp and Shay is there along with David, one of the rebel leaders. Tally finds herself strangely attracted to this Ugly boy, but her desire to become a Pretty is too strong. Should she expose her true plan to the rebels and risk not becoming Pretty? Should she stick to her plan and turn them in?

Critical Evaluation
Uglies is the first in Westerfeld's trilogy, Pretties and Specials being the next two. Uglies is a fast-paced, wild ride taking place in a futuristic society where the teenagers ride hoverboards, wear bungee jackets, and have technology that helps pick everything from their clothes to what they eat. Fans of dystopian science fiction will not be able to put this book down. The book raises questions about the price of beauty, government control, and nature versus technology. Westerfeld's characters are all multi-dimensional even the Pretties who are made to follow the rules and not think for themselves. The Uglies series is one of the best science fiction series out today.

Reader's Annotation
Tally Youngblood close to turning sixteen. It is the day she gets the operation to become a Pretty but things change when a friend tells her that being a Pretty may not be the best thing.

About the Author
Texas-born, Scott Westerfeld is an author of science fiction novels for adults and young adults. His works include the Uglies and Leviathan series.

Westerfeld has won a Victorian Premier's Award for So Yesterday. Uglies was on the ALA's list of Best Books for Young Adults in 2006. He spends his time between Australia and New York City.

Genre
Science Fiction, Utopia/ Dystopia

Curriculum Ties
Sociology

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss the themes surrounding body image in the book.
2) Discuss the relationship between Shay and Tally. Who's viewpoint do you agree with more and why?
3) Discuss what "the Smoke" is a metaphor for in today's society.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12+

Challenge Issues
Mild violence, underage drinking

Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the book and its content.
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Uglies-Trilogy-Book-1/dp/0689865384/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292396297&sr=1-1
-Try to get reviews of the book from teens who have read it.

Why Included in Titles Selected
Recommended by a teenage patron at the library.