Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Author's Website: http://scottwesterfeld.com/
ISBN: 978-0-689-86538-1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright Date: 2005
Genre: Science Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age: 13-18
Awards: School Library Journal, 2005. Teacher Librarian, 2005. Kirkus Reviews, 2005
Plot Summary: In a dystopic world where everyone undergoes a cosmetic surgery at 16 years old that makes them pretty, Tally is anxiously awaiting her 16th birthday. She cannot wait to leave Uglyville and join her best friend Peris in New Pretty Town. After meeting a new friend Shay during her last few weeks as an Ugly, Tally learns that there is a group of people choosing to live as Uglies in a place called the Smoke. When Shay escapes to join the Smoke, Tally is forced by the Special Circumstances department to act as a spy and betray her new friend, or they will leave her as an ugly forever. However, her time in the Smoke changes her way of thinking and for the first time in her life Tally wonders if she isn't pretty enough just as she is. When she learns the horrifying truth about becoming a pretty, Tally takes drastic measures to right her wrongs.
Critical Evaluation: Westerfeld succeeds in writing a page-turning Vonnegutesque tale that will leave readers anxiously waiting for the sequel. The story is told completely from the perspective of Tally which gives readers insight into how torn she really is between becoming beautiful like everyone else, and betraying one of her closest friends. Westerfeld produces an easy read, straightforward and to the point, but still able to build suspense with every page.
Reader's Annotation: In a world where everyone undergoes surgery to become beautiful on their 16th birthday, Tally learns the horrifying truth about becoming pretty.
Critical Evaluation: Westerfeld succeeds in writing a page-turning Vonnegutesque tale that will leave readers anxiously waiting for the sequel. The story is told completely from the perspective of Tally which gives readers insight into how torn she really is between becoming beautiful like everyone else, and betraying one of her closest friends. Westerfeld produces an easy read, straightforward and to the point, but still able to build suspense with every page.
Reader's Annotation: In a world where everyone undergoes surgery to become beautiful on their 16th birthday, Tally learns the horrifying truth about becoming pretty.
Booktalking Ideas: Honesty, Free Will, Inviduality
Why did you include this book: It serves as a wonderful introduction to themes of conformity and control while invoking thoughts about personal civil liberties and the cost of freedom.
Quote: “Maybe they didn't want you to realize that every civilization has its weakness. There's always one thing we depend on. And if someone takes it away all that's left is some story in a history class.”
Quote: “Maybe they didn't want you to realize that every civilization has its weakness. There's always one thing we depend on. And if someone takes it away all that's left is some story in a history class.”
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