The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld *SPOILER* (Part 1)

       Tally Youngblood is a 15 year old ugly living in Uglyville who was soon going to be 16 and become a new pretty.  Or at least she though she was.   Tally has always been a trickster along side her best friend, Peris.  However, Peris turned 16 three moths before her so she was on her own for a while.  Then she met Shay, another trickster who had the same exact birthday as her.  They spent every day together playing tricks and showing each other new things everyday.  Shay also taught Tally how to ride a hover board and she taught Tally all about the Smoke and they took many trips out to the Rusties.  Shay tried to introduce Tally to David, but David never showed up.   It was all fun and games until the night before their birthday when Shay had the trick that could change Tally's life. Shay wanted her and Tally to run away to the Smoke.  Shay didn't want to turn pretty and this was the one way she didn't have to. Tally wanted to turn pretty so she decided to stay home.   Shay left her a note in case at last minuet she decided to run away.  The note read, "Take the coaster strait pass the gap,  until you find one that's long and flat. Cold is the sea and watch for breaks.  At the second make the worst mistake.  Four days later take the side you despise, and look in the flowers for fire-bug eyes.  Once they're found, enjoy the flight.  Then wait on the bald head until its light."  Tally kept the note and the next day packed it in her small bag that she would bring the New Pretty Town when she was turned pretty.

   Tally was excited to be pretty and once again with Peris.  But then she was told their was a problem with her operation and was taken into another hover car.  Driving her car is a cruel pretty.  She knows that it means something is serious if a cruel pretty is involved.  Cruel pretties are modified to become much stronger and all around better with everything physically.  Once she is inside she meets Dr. Cable and tells Tally she is at Special Circumstances.   Tally never thought it was real because it was known as a rumor around Uglyville that they are real.   Dr. Cable talks to Tally about shay running away and asks if she knew anything about it.  Tally says she does not, but Dr. Cable tells Tally that Until she tells all she knows she wont be able to turn pretty.  Tally comes back the next day and confesses everything. But not the note.  Until Dr .Cable bring it up on the screen and Tally tells her everything.   Tally is the instructed to follow the note to the smoke, and when there put the heart necklace to her and eye and Special Circumstances will come and find them.   Tally makes her way and it turns into to an amazing adventure.  Then, she finally makes it to the smoke.  Will Tally give up the Smokes hiding place, or will she spend the rest of her life their, ugly.  Read "The Uglies" or my next blog post to find out 

My Response

        I thought that "The Uglies" was a phenomenal book that always had you on the edge of your seat. Not knowing what will happen next was my favorite part and it all started when shay told Tally about running away.  Would tally run away with her? Or, would she stay and become a pretty? Another time that I though as the most intriguing was when Tally reached the smoke.  She wanted to become a pretty, but after a little while their she saw how great it could be.  So would she notify Special Circumstances with her eye-reading locket and betray her friend, or would she decide to begin a new life in the smoke.  All these moment were complete page turners and before you know it you would have been reading for hours! Another thing I loved about "The Uglies" is the was Scott Westerfeld described everything.  When I read the book it wasn't just words on pages, it was a performance.  You might have been reading, but it feels as if you are in Ugliville experience all these Life changing moments with Tally and Shay.  

The way Scott uses description, creates suspense, and brings you into the story is what makes "The Uglies" a great read for anyone.  However, I think it is more for girls but boys could most likely read it and enjoy it also.