Uglies, Scott Westerfeld

            Uglies, Scott Westerfeld 

                                                     Lexile Level: 770 

In the future, the human world will nearly become extinct.  Our future generation will refer to us as "rusties."  They will look back on our petty jealousies, destruction of wood, use of oil, and are love of war and think there has to be a better way to live.  Their solution:  become pretty.  If everyone surgically became the same size, same height, same symmetrical proportions, than no one could be jealous, petty, or cruel. 
     Tally Youngblood can not wait to become a pretty.  She is one of the last of her class waiting in Uglyville.  Her sixteenth birthday is keeping her exiled from her friends already in Prettytown.  In her loneliness, Tally finds comfort with another ugly waiting to turn sixteen.  Shay isn't as ready to leave her youthful adventures to join the pretties in the silly parties and glamours life.  Soon Shay's reluctance to turn pretty makes Tally's life unpredictable.  She will soon learn what it really means to be ugly- and pretty. 
       Scott Westerfeld writes a wonderful sci-fi tale that makes us think about beauty and the price we are willing to pay for it.  I enjoyed this post-apocalyptic novel and look forward to reading Pretties.

Pretties, Scott Westerfeld
Lexile level: 860

Tally Youngblood awakens in her apartment completely Pretty.  She no longer cares about being in the Smoke- nor does she remember David.  Her life is now about parties, cliques, and feeling happy all the time.  Yet, Tally's life is never at peace.  One night at a party, she sees a person that changes her reality with just a glance.  Tally begins to chase after her old life, one that involves Uglies and freedom from the government.  Can she escape Pretty Town?  Can she cure herself of the pretty brain that comes with her new face and body?

Specials, Scott Westerfeld

 I raced to the library in Oshkosh to get my hands on this book.  I had to know what happened to Tally and Zane.  Would she escape yet again?  This book morphs Tally once again into another being.  Unfortunately, the Tally that I loved from the first two books was gone.  This book lacked heart.  I wish that the trilogy had ended differently- but, as readers we don't always get our wish.  I know if you love the first two, you will read this book whether I recommend it or not.  But.... I told you so...