Header PromotionUglies - Scott Westerfeld
Uglies (Uglies, 1) - Scott Westerfeld, Scholastic, October 2005, ISBN: 0439806119, 425p.
This is a YA book riddled with several ideas, messages, and metaphors. In a world were everyone has cosmetic surgery at the age of 16 that makes them Pretty... with both sides of their faces symmetrical as biology says humans find beautiful. The stages of life:
Litilies: Ages birth - 12. They are "ugly" but cute.
Uglies: 12-16. Live in dorms. Cause trouble (called "tricks") until surgery time.
Pretties: 16 -. Start as young Pretties, have surgery again and become Middle Pretties, have surgery again and become Crumbly Pretties
Specials: Work in "Special Circumstances." Cruely inhuman pretties that keep everyone stupid and in line.
Results: Supposedly there is no war (and among the pretties, no fighting), no horrible destruction of the environment such as Rusties created (that's us, btw), etc. There is also no real uniqueness. People don't really stay themselves. Oh, and plenty of brainwashing to assure those who aren't "Pretty" yet that they are "Ugly" and disgusting.
Tally, the heroine of the story, can't wait to become a Pretty. She plays her tricks, meets a new friend, and discovers that not everyone wants to follow along and become Pretty. It's a coming-of-age story riddled with messages about humanity today.
You're obviously swamped,
but once the semester is over, could you give us two lists? One of what you think the best children's books are that you've read lately and one for the YA crowd? I do both with my kids and would love recommendations (I did the Lioness Quartet last year and loved it, just haven't had time to do more Pierce this year).
Penn
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I can definitely make a
I can definitely make a couple lists. Recommendations are harder because I'd probably end up recommending them all. I'll certainly try though.