Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Review by Sabrina (Grade 9)
Rating: 4/5
Tally Youngblood can’t wait for the day she turns pretty. At the age of 16, an operation is performed to turn you from ‘ugly’ to ‘pretty’. However, when she meets a new friend, Shay, and learns the truth about being pretty, she isn’t so sure. Shay introduces Tally to a group of rebels who refuse to receive the operation. As she learns more about what the government is hiding under the guise of perfection, Tally is torn between her dream and reality. “Uglies” is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that explores ideas such as conformity and the dangers of valuing physical beauty above all else. The concepts and ideas introduced in the story are brilliantly laid out, moving the story along in a way that keeps readers absorbed.
“Uglies” is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic world focused around looks, if you’re pretty or if you’re not. Pretties are physically perfect individuals who live in a paradise designed for having fun. No worries, pain, or responsibilities – a utopia that many can only dream of. And it's all Tally has ever wanted. However, like most dystopian novels, not everything that meets the eye is perfect. When Tally befriends Shay, she is introduced to a whole new world that she never knew existed. She learns the truth and is given a choice – to either betray her friend, or never become pretty. The novel “Uglies” is the first book in a series, followed by “Pretties,” “Specials,” and “Extras,” which explore the consequences of Tally’s choices.