Scott Westerfeld has authored a set of four related speculative texts about an amazing world of the future. Beginning with Uglies, Mr. Westerfeld introduces us to a world wherein everyone gets an extensive operation and turns pretty at age 16. People who have not yet had the operation are termed uglies and spend their lives dreaming of the pretty life to come. Shay and Tally chafe at their ugly lives and employ their energies in trying to disrupt the system, (which they are quite adept at doing...)
Pretties shows Shay and Tally with another point of view on their society. Having successfully become pretties, they enjoy the parties and glamour, but they begin to miss their ugly little adventures. Something beckons to them. Specials brings Tally and Shay together on a special mission. They are out to find and destroy the counter-culture. Morphed into humans of super strength and sensitivity, the girls ride their hoverboards into stardom. Mysteries are explained, hearts are broken, and friendships are lost and found. Finally, Extras is a twist on the preceding three books. The main characters have changed as has society. Rather than strive to be pretty, people now strive to be in the top 1000 of famous people. Technology and personal uniqueness is all the rage. The new focus, Aya, is a kicker. She publishes, what she hopes is, breaking news. Her news brings out Tally from the wilderness and the reader enjoys further adventures.
As described, these books may not sound like much, but they are difficult to put down. Westerfeld's imagination is powerful. The mileau that he creates is fascinating. The language used by the characters, the structure of society, and the technology used by the characters is plausible, possible, and forward looking. My 8th grade students recommended the books to me and I read them with pleasure. I even bought the hard copy of the fourth book because I was so eager to read it. Westerfeld's books are engrossing and appealing to a wide range of reader. He also has a web site: http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/
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