K10: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

The Kidliterati Ten is an interview series with young readers. We ask them about a favorite book and hope that you enjoy their answers.

Tell us a little about yourself: what is your first name, how old are you, and what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

My first name is Ethan, and I am 13 going on 14. Vanilla all the way!

What book did you read and why did you choose it?

I chose Uglies by Scott Westerfeld because it was recommended to me by a very, very enthusiastic friend.

Can you describe this book in one word?

Breathtaking.

What was your favorite part of this story?

There was a chapter where the main character, Tally, learns to hoverboard. Her friend Shay teaches her and the author describes hoverboarding and it sounds so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you had a problem similar to the main character's problem, what would you do?

Tally has to decide between becoming “pretty” or going to a rebel base (the smokes) with Shay. I would go with Shay because rebels are cool... and I’m already pretty. ;)

What would you say to your best friend to convince them to read this book?

I would say read it because I read it and loved it. And there's hoverboarding.

What do you think about the book's cover?

It is accurate for the intended message.

Would you want to read another book about these characters? Why or why not?

Yes actually, I read all three books in the series.

Can you name another book that reminds you of this one?

This was quite a unique book that deserves the praise it gets.

* * * * Thank you, Ethan, for sharing your way-cool thoughts! * * * *

Uglies

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..

---- Ronni