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Uglies

by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies Cover

ISBN13: 9780689865381
ISBN10: 0689865384
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license — for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world — and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Review:

"In this launch title of a planned trilogy, teenager Tally Youngblood is living an unexamined life in a world unlike ours, hundreds of years from now. She's impatiently awaiting her birthday because in her town, Uglyville, everybody gets the same gift at age 16: cosmetic surgery which transforms them into gorgeous creatures. They also move into 'party towers' in New Pretty Town. Tally's best friend has already made the transition and, motivated by her desire to see him, she sneaks into town. Her near-capture leads to a new best friend, Shay, who has the same birthday. On the eve of their operations, Shay reveals a plan to escape to a renegade settlement called 'the Smoke.' When Shay disappears, government agents blackmail Tally into leading them to the rebels. Once in the Smoke, Tally has a crisis of conscience when she learns the surgery is more sinister than she imagined. Teens will appreciate the gadgetry — including bungee jackets and hoverboards that work by magnetic levitation. But plausibility problems creep in, such as Tally leading a breakout of Smokeys from a high-tech compound while wearing handcuffs. As in his So Yesterday, Westerfeld introduces thought-provoking issues, but readers may lose track of the plot while sorting the many messages about how the 'Rusties' nearly destroyed the planet. They may also feel cheated when, after 400-plus pages, the ending leaves loose ends to be tied up in the next installment, Pretties. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[H]ighly 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." School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review:

"[T]eens will sink their teeth into the provocative questions about invasive technology, image-obsessed society, and the ethical quandaries of a mole-turned-ally." Booklist (Starred Review)

Review:

"With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series....Some heavy-handedness, but the awesome ending thrills with potential." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"This book, the first in a trilogy, asks engaging questions about the meaning of beauty, individuality, and betrayal. Highly recommended for SF fans or anyone who likes a good, thoughtful adventure." Kliatt (Starred Review)

Synopsis:

In Tally's world, one's 16th birthday brings an operation that transforms them from a repellent Ugly to an attractive Pretty. Tally wants to turn into a Pretty, but her friend Shay would rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, the authorities give Tally a terrible choice.

About the Author

Scott Westerfeld's books for teens include Peeps and So Yesterday, which were both named ALA Best Books for Young Adults. He is also the author of The Secret Hour, Touching Darkness, and Blue Noon, the books in the Midnighters trilogy. Scott alternates summers between Sydney, Australia, and New York City. Visit his Web site at www.scottwesterfeld.com.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 12 comments:
kccam, November 18, 2008 (view all comments by kccam)
one of the best books ever! it has awesome smart chararchters and shows how one can change if, maybe even save, the lives of many. its a revolution that we can all make, showing us what we are really capable of if we try.
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tmtcatalyst, September 9, 2008 (view all comments by tmtcatalyst)
An incredibly fun read. This is a hugely creative universe with great parallels into today's society. The story is a lot of fun, and the whole series is a great read.
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(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Abbymasonfoggy123, July 4, 2008 (view all comments by Abbymasonfoggy123)
A amzaing book of adventure, it is litterly a different world. I would have to have gone crazy to believe anything like this would happen in our world. This book engross's me, makes me feel like i am there with Tallie through her whole adventure. When i read this i feel like i am in a far away place where i can live freely and without fearing anything. I knoe that sounds rediculos but it is true. It is a truly amazing story and cannot wait to read pretties cause i know if uglies is soo good pretties must be better!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780689865381
Designed:
Corral, Rodrigo
Publisher:
Simon Pulse
Designed:
Corral, Rodrigo
Author:
Corral, Rodrigo
Author:
Pelleteri, Carissa
Author:
Westerfeld, Scott
Subject:
General
Subject:
Friendship
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Science fiction
Subject:
Social Situations - General
Subject:
Social Situations - New Experience
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Science Fiction
Subject:
General Juvenile Fiction
Subject:
Social Issues - General
Subject:
Social Issues - New Experience
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Copyright:
Edition Description:
B102
Publication Date:
March 2005
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
Young adult
Language:
English
Pages:
448
Dimensions:
6.90x5.12x1.17 in. .69 lbs.
Age Level:
12-17
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