Westerfeld, Scott (2005). Uglies. New York, New York: Simon Pulse. ISBN: 9780689865381
448 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 15-19
Stars: 5 stars
Subjects: Surgery, Popularity, Outcast, Future, Dystopia, Relationships
Reader's Annotation
In a futuristic society where, at the age of 16, everyone becomes a "Pretty", Tally Youngblood wants nothing more than to undergo surgery herself, until she meets Shay and a fringe society and explores the idea that she might be okay just the way she is.
Summary
Tally Youngblood is like any other teenager- she is filled with doubts and insecurities about herself, and she is desperate to be beautiful- but in this society, that wish is granted to everyone at the age of 16. Her best friend and almost everyone she knows is already in Pretty Town, partying all day and having fun being beautiful, while she has been left behind in UglyTown to wait for her 16th birthday. Before that date, however, she meets Shay, a young girl who plans on running away and joining a fringe society that accepts individuals who don't want to undergo this transformation. As Tally is pulled into this idea, she is forced to examine society and the ideals she has been forced from birth to believe and she begins to question everything.
Notes
Although there is a strong femal protagonist in this book, it is highly readable for guys or girls. The underlying commentary on our current society's values is intriguing because Westerfeld has taken it to the next level, where everyone is beautiful and happy. This asks the question: at what cost does this perfect society exist?
Other Information
This is the first book in the Uglies Trilogy. Those interested in the fate of Tally Youngblood, Shay, and their friends, should check out Pretties, Specials, and Extras.
Author Information
