uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (#1 in the trilogy) ISBN: 0-439-80611-9 ©2005 425 pages

Good sections to read aloud: bottom of p. 3 through p. 6 where Tally is escaping to New Pretty Town p. 28 when Shay appears

Summary: In Tally’s world, you are an “Ugly” until you turn 16. At age 16, everyone becomes a “Pretty.” Tally is looking forward to her sixteenth birthday when she can finally join her best friend, Peris, on the other side of town where the Pretties live. Unfortunately, he turned 16 three months ahead of her. It’s a lonely time for Tally, so she sneaks over to Pretty Town to look for Peris, although once they turn Pretty, they look completely different. She does find him, but also finds herself in a world of trouble. She tries to escape and is almost caught, but realizes the person is also an Ugly. Enter Shay, Tally’s new best friend for the rest of the summer. Shay teaches Tally things she never knew existed, and also tries to convince her that becoming a Pretty isn’t all its cracked up to be. The night before their birthdays, Shay tells Tally she is running away to a different world where everyone stays Ugly. Tally can’t believe it, and there is no way she can leave behind becoming a Pretty herself. What will happen to Shay and Tally’s friendship?

YA fiction-- science fiction; friends; supernatural powers; hoverboards; hidden cities; cosmetic surgery

© Jennifer Lang-WDMS-2006