BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:
Westerfeld, Scott. 2005. UGLIES. New York: Simon Pulse. ISBN 9780689865381
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Tally Youngblood is anxiously awaiting her sixteenth birthday, but not for the typical reasons a teenager wants to turn sixteen. In Tally’s world, her sixteenth birthday means she can finally undergo extensive plastic surgery to transform her into an extremely beautiful and perfect person. In Uglyville, everyone is considered ugly until they turn sixteen and get the operation to turn them into “pretties” who can move to New Pretty Town and live a carefree and privileged life. Tally is sure this is what she wants more than anything. It is the only way she has ever known, and who wouldn’t want to be gorgeous like everyone else? However, her views on turning pretty slowly begin to change as she befriends another “ugly,” Shay, who does not want turn pretty. When Shay runs away just before her sixteenth birthday, Tally is forced to choose between getting her operation and turning her friend over to the authorities. Tally sets off on an adventure to find her friend, and she uncovers more than she ever thought she would about life on the outside and the ugly truth behind turning pretty. Tally must make her choices carefully since they will affect her and her friends for the rest of their lives. With realistic and sympathetic characters and a fast-paced, action-filled plot, readers will find themselves absorbed in the situations of Tally and Shay as the UGLIES transports them to an unforgettable and unimaginable place. The fantastic and futuristic setting, with its “hoverboards” and high-tech gadgets, is sure to please readers and make them contemplate their own reality and its complicated views on beauty. The UGLIES is so absorbing and enthralling that readers will undoubtedly breeze through its 400+ pages, urgently needing to know Tally’s fate.
CONNECTIONS:
If students like UGLIES, recommend the next two books in the series: PRETTIES and SPECIALS.
Also by Scott Westerfeld: EXTRAS, which is an add-on to the UGLIES series with a new protagonist.
Use UGLIES as a way to open a discussion on the meaning of beauty and what characteristics are most important in a person’s life.
Tally faced some very difficult choices in UGLIES. Ask students to contemplate whether or not Tally made the right choices, and ask them if there is anything they would have done differently.
REVIEWS AND AWARDS:
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred (March 2005):
“Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia. Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.”
“Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia. Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.”
From BOOKLIST starred (March 2005):
“Although the narrative's brisk pace is more successful in scenes of hover-boarding action than in convincingly developing Tally's key relationships, teens will sink their teeth into the provocative questions about invasive technology, image-obsessed society, and the ethical quandaries of a mole-turned-ally. These elements, along with the obvious connections to reality programs such as Miami Slice, will surely cause this ingenious series debut to cement Westerfeld's reputation for high-concept YA fiction that has wide appeal.
“Although the narrative's brisk pace is more successful in scenes of hover-boarding action than in convincingly developing Tally's key relationships, teens will sink their teeth into the provocative questions about invasive technology, image-obsessed society, and the ethical quandaries of a mole-turned-ally. These elements, along with the obvious connections to reality programs such as Miami Slice, will surely cause this ingenious series debut to cement Westerfeld's reputation for high-concept YA fiction that has wide appeal.
From KIRKUS REVIEW starred (February 2005):
“With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series.”
“With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series.”
Wilson’s Junior High School
Wilson’s Senior High School
VOYA, 2005
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
TAYSHAS 2006
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