Plot Summary
Tally Youngblood did what she was told (see Uglies) and now she is finally a Pretty. She is gorgeous, has fabulous clothes, a Pretty boyfriend, and plenty of friends. As an Ugly she did some crazy things and may have betrayed one of her friends, but because she's a Pretty she can't remember any of the Ugly stuff...or can she? Her new life begins to unravel when an Ugly from "the Smoke" infiltrates New Pretty Town and sends Tally a reminder of what she was in the past in the form of two pills that are meant for her to take. Tally decides to take one pill and give the other to her boyfriend, Zane. The reaction to the pills makes them see clearer and they realize that being Pretty may actually be a way the government controls them. With this information Tally must make a decision to join the rebels in fighting the government and returning to the people she betrayed, or staying a Pretty and living a meaningless life.
Critical Evaluation
Pretties, the second book in the Uglies trilogy, is just like the first with its fast paced action and sci-fi gadgets. This time around Tally must deal with the fact she has betrayed the friends she made as an Ugly. Alliances are questioned because Tally is now a Pretty and she struggles with how she feels about the Uglies now that part of her brain thinks like a Pretty. Again, questions about body image are raised along with fighting against corrupt societies. Westerfeld is a master at continuing to develop his characters from Uglies. This time their ideals and values have changed and readers of the first book will be happy that they've known these characters from the beginning.
Reader's Annotation
Tally Youngblood is finally a Pretty. Her life is perfect, but why does it seem being Pretty isn't enough.
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 how Tally has changed since becoming a Pretty? (If you've read Uglies)
2) Discuss the new dynamics in Tally and Shay's relationship.
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/Pretties-Uglies-Trilogy-Book-2/dp/0689865392/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292398148&sr=1-1
-Try to get reviews of the book from teens who have read it.Why Included in Titles Selected
I read Uglies and enjoyed it so I had to read the whole series.
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