Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally has waited her entire life to be sixteen. In Tally’s world, once you turn sixteen you are allowed to turn pretty. Imagine living in a world were everyone is equally attractive. No one is discriminated against for being too fat or too skinny. No one is ridiculed for having a large nose or thin lips. At sixteen you are allowed to have a surgery that will turn you from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, after which your only job is to have fun and party. Who wouldn’t want to be pretty? Tally’s new friend Shay doesn’t think she wants to have the surgery though, so she disappears the night before her birthday. Stunned by her friend’s decision, Tally’s life soon begins to unravel when the authorities tell her that they will not let her turn pretty until she finds Shay and turns her in. Tally is left with an impossible decision: betray her friend or give up the life she has always dreamed of having?

The first book in the Uglies trilogy is a gripping and entertaining read that raises a lot of questions about an image obsessed society. I would recommend this book to both adult and young adult readers who enjoy stories about futuristic or post apocalyptic societies, as well as any reader who has struggled with self-concept. This book would also be an excellent selection for a book discussion group. Warning: the book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger that will have readers chomping at the bit for the next book in the trilogy, Pretties (which will be followed by Specials).

The Library Diva recommended this on 6/19/05.