Pretties

* Bibliographic information
Westerfeld, S. Pretties. Simon Pulse, 2005. ISBN: 9780689865398

- Book two in the Uglies series.


* Plot Summary
In this second book of the series, Tally has become a “Pretty” and she realizes that is not what she wanted for herself; partying and looking good is not enough to make someone happy. A coded message reminds her that she is supposed to take a cure, the people from The Smoke created, in order to stop the growth of brain lesions that occur as a result of the enhancement surgeries. She had helped create the plan before becoming a Pretty but lost her memory of it when she changed. Tally, and her new Pretty boyfriend, Zane take the pills to cure them of their lazy thoughts. Zane has a bad reaction and Tally must rush him the doctors in the Smoke who created the pill. The adventure begins when they plan a hot air balloon escape only to be separated right after they leave.


* Critical Evaluation
Once again Tally must go on a journey of self-reflection, this time as a Pretty. This book is full of action and there are so many twists and turns that often times I had to go back and make sure I had read a section correctly. Westerfeld has made another book that people cannot put down;
Tally is such a strong complex character; readers always want to know what she will do next. The story takes an unexpected detour when Tally gets separated from Zane and finds herself among a lost civilization of people who are untouched by the authorities because they consider them a social experiment. Each twist and turn keeps readers turning the page, Westerfeld knows how to write young adult books with complex characters and worlds that people want to know about.


* Reader’s Annotation
Now that she is a Pretty, Tally must remember to take the pill that could cure brain lesions created when people get surgeries to become pretty. It is up to her to keep the world she lives in from destroying itself.


* Information about the author
Westerfeld grew up in Texas, California and Connecticut because his family moved around. Him and his wife move back and forth between their two homes in New York City and Sydney, Australia. Westerfeld says he grew up in a large family that valued storytelling and he has always written, even as a child. He has written five science fiction novels for adults but his young adult science fiction novels are what he is best known for. He continues to write young adult novels because he loves the people involved. For more information about Scott Westerfeld and his other novels check out his website at http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Science Fiction, Issues


* Curriculum Ties, if any
English or Health:
Young adults are going through so many changes inside and out; they enjoy reading about others with issues or conflicts while they struggle with the process of dealing with them.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) After becoming a Pretty, Tally still had a nagging feeling that there was something important she was supposed to do. Why do you think she was able to remember a bit of it through the haze. 2) If Pretties’ minds are supposed to be dulled by the surgeries, how is it that people like Tally and Zane still fall for each other?
3) Discuss the hidden civilization that Tally finds in the woods and how they differ from the Smokies.
4) At the end of the book Shay talks about her new group of Specials, the Cutters and how they are more special than the other Specials and are able to do more of what they want. What do you think they will be up to in the next book? What is their purpose?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
7th Grade and Up / 14 and Up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
N/A


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I included this book in my selection because its message is important for young adults. Without people who rebel against being the same, everyone would end up looking like mirror images. The story’s theme of attainting beauty and assessing one’s self worth based on it, are themes present in today’s society. Plastic surgery has become completely normal to our population; some parents even get augmentation for their teens. Changing one’s self to look the same as everyone else or to be conventionally beautiful robs you and the world of your individuality. People should own their beauty not have a doctor cut them up to be happy with their appearance. Westerfeld understands this and has created a book with likeable exciting characters to convey this message to teens.