Uglies

Scott Westerfeld. 2005. New York: Simon Pulse. 425 pages. ISBN 0-689-86538-4.

Plot Summary: “In a world of extreme beauty, anyone normal is ugly” (front cover). Tally is eagerly awaiting her sixteenth birthday, when she will be able to have the operation that turns her from an “ugly” into a “pretty.” That’s when she’ll have the compulsory, but ever so anticipated surgery that will change her features to meet the standards of an ideal beauty. Until then she passes the time doing what uglies typically do: play pranks and ride their hoverboards (think flying skateboards). During her last summer as an ugly she meets Shay, who isn’t so sure she wants to be a pretty. Shay escapes to a hidden illegal settlement that defies the government’s rules and standards. That puts Tally in an untenable position: she is told she must find Shay and this settlement and betray them, or never get to be a pretty at all.

Critical Evaluation: Uglies is a highly entertaining, action-packed adventure set in a future dystopian society. This book is so fast-paced that even though it’s relatively long, it’s a fast and furious read. Reading Westerfeld’s descriptions of hoverboarding (the flying skateboards) makes the reader feel as if s/he is actually flying, and I haven’t even mentioned the excitement of the “bungee jackets.” But Uglies also contains critical social commentary, both in the description of the current society described in the book and of our present society with its over-dependence on petroleum. Ethical dilemmas of conformity, beauty, rebellion and government control are presented in the book and would lead to great discussions if used in a classroom setting. Unlike today, in Uglies, keeping the looks you were born with is to be an antisocial rebel.

Reader’s Annotation: In this world everyone gets to be a beauty.


About the author: Besides the four-book Uglies series, Scott Westerfeld’s books for young adults include the Midnighters trilogy and The Last Days. He is also the author of five science fiction novels for adults, and three stand alone novels that are all set in New York. He has ghost-written several books, and has also written music. He was born in Texas and now divides his time between New York City and Sydney, Australia. He is 46 years old.

His awards include the Philip K. Dick Award special citation, 2000; New York Times Notable Book citation, 2000; BBYB Best Books of the Year selection, 2004; New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age selection, 2004, Aurealis Award for Best YA Novel (Australia), 2004; and Children's Book Council of Australia Best Teen Book of the Year listee, 2004.

Westerfeld’s newest book Leviathan is also for young adults. It is a science fiction book set in World War I. It was released October, 2009. First of a planned trilogy, it will be followed by Behemoth which is to be released in October, 2010. Visit his website at http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/
Genre: Science fiction

Curriculum Ties: Could be an interesting tie-in with Orwell’s 1984.

Booktalking Ideas: Once you turn sixteen and become a “pretty” all you need to do is to play and party. Uglies (those under 16 who haven’t yet been transformed) can hardly wait. But will Tally betray her new friends to the government to become a “pretty”? Even she doesn’t know.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 12 and up, but captivating enough for even adults to enjoy.

Challenge Issues: N/A

Why included: Highly recommended by my teen daughter. Also, this book has received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist, and is on the Ultimate Young Adult Bookshelf of the ALA.