Westerfeld, S. (2005). Uglies. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 978-0689865381
Tally Youngblood cannot wait for her sixteenth birthday, so she can become a “pretty” and live in New Pretty Town While frustratingly waiting in Uglyville Tally befriends Shay who is not as keen as Tally to become pretty. Shay tells Tally all about the Smokies. The Smokies are a rebel group living amongst nature outside of the operations of New Pretty Town. Shay plans to run away to the Smokies and wants Tally to come with her.
Tally declines not wanting to stay “ugly” forever and Shay runs off with out her. On the day of Tally's operation to be pretty, Special Circumstances take her away and force her to infiltrate the Smokies hide out. Once there Tally ends up liking it, but inadvertently flags Special Circumstances. Tally, guilt-stricken, leads a risky rescue mission.
Uglies raises issues about identity, culture, and resistance. Each of these issues are precisely what teenagers face on a daily basis. Tally struggles because on one hand she wants to be "pretty," but on the other she can see herself living as an "ugly" in Smoke. Like teenagers today Tally undergoes faulty decision-making, which only deepens her understanding of the world around her and brings her closer to coming to terms with who she is. In Uglies Westerfeld expresses the positive effects of resisting an image-obsessed society and how some rebellion is necessary.
Book trailer made by ME!
Book trailer made by ME!
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