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All parent reviews for Uglies: Uglies Quartet, Book 1
AGE
Thought provoking for teens. I have concerns about the series.
As a high school librarian, I read the Uglies series to see if it would be appropriate for my students. The idea about a gov't that orders surgeries that beautify but dumb down the populace makes you think about priorities and freedom. The writer has created another word with it's own vocab, which is enjoyable. My reservations are how amoral the writer is in approaching teen drinking and partying and "cutting." Cutting doesn't show up in Uglies, but if you read Uglies, you will want to read the rest of the series, and later one of the main characters starts to cut herself to make herself more aware and alert. Eventually a group of Cutters form. The author is totally neutral in his treatment of the topic. My concern is that young people might read this series without thinking critically and think there is nothing wrong with cutting (or some of the other activities..., but I'm most concerned with the cutting). I plan to include this series in our library, but will paste a statement inside the front cover about the seriousness of cutting and websites for help.
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AGE
Good Read
I love the book and thought it was great. However, my sixteen year old sister read it and understood the main concept of it but had a hard time digesting it without my help. Great book and great concepts/themes to get young adults thinking about the materialism and perfectionism in the world.
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AGE
Exciting and interesting!
I wish Scott Westerfeld (who wrote the Uglies series) had also written the Twilight series. It has all of the page-turning excitement, fantasy and romance. But yet it actually features a strong female heroine who kicks butt instead of waiting around to be rescued.
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AGE
Still on the fence about this series
I really need to read the rest of the trilogy before making a final call on this series. I like the idea the author is trying to explore - what would you be willing to give up to attain perfect beauty?
But I found the constant drawn out descriptions of what is basically a flying skate board boring and repetitious. There is a minor side story about a genetically modified plant that seems contrived to allow the author to moralize on environmental issues.
As the main review states, you can see the plot twists coming a mile away so it feels like a sci fi novel dumbed down for kids instead of an intelligent sci fi novel written for kids.
Not sure why people feel the main character is a strong female role model - she lies and stabs her friends in the back to get what she wants. It's unclear why her romantic interest falls for her before she does anything to deserve his trust or respect. Shay is far more interesting and I kept wishing she had been made the star of the show instead.
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AGE
Good Book, but alcohol content an issue
I thought the book was entertaining. I'm not sure, though, why the author had to bring alcohol use into the story. It really bothered me that alcohol was being consumed (under age) and its effects were glorified. Other than this issue, I thought it was a good book.
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AGE
An excellent read aloud for the summer!
After seeing the 11+ age rating, I chose to read the book aloud to my two children (ages 9 and 12). "Uglies" is the first of a triligy by Scott Westerfeld. I thoroughly enjoyed the book myself. Reading the book aloud, gave us the opportunity to discuss several issues where the characters struggle with moral decisions. I am the kind of person that found the whole "Uglies" and "Pretties" labels repulsive at first glance, until I realized that there is really an underlying message there, that is basic and good. If you like to have a few books that you read aloud to your children during the summer months when school is out - I highly recommend this book. We have started the 2nd book in the series now! Exciting read.
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AGE
perfect for tweens
I absolutely love this book. It is very enthralling and set in an interesting setting. The characters are also very unique in their own way. The message it delivers helps make readers think about the future. But there are some things that are slightly mature, so this is mostly recommended for teenagers.
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AGE
Terrible, poorly thought out book.
Loathed it with the entirety of my being. Lazy terrible writing. I finished reading it thinking "If the government was so desperate for equality, why not genetically engineer the populace to look the same? Then you wouldn't have to spend ridiculous amounts of time and money on every single person, and let their genes do the work." Note that if the lesions hadn't been part of the process, there really would be NO downside to getting radical plastic surgery. A dangerous book in the hands of impressionable youth.
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AGE
A very enjoyable book!! The main characters are brave and strong which is good for kids!
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AGE
I love this trilogy
I really loved this trilogy. These books are soooo suspenceful and action-filled. A must read for people my age!
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AGE
I liked it a lot. I never would have picked it up if my son hadn't told me how good it was. It does start a little slow but it doesn't last long and once the plot thickens, I couldn't put it down. We have both read the 2nd book in the series and look forward to the third. The ending does leave you hanging for both books. Cliffhanger style. Great for all kids over 11 as younger may not understand.
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AGE
An insightful look into a post-apocolyptic world!
The book Uglies shows us that you can love someone for more than just their beauty. It's also well writen and will inspire kids to pick up a book and read it untill the end!
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AGE
Excellant series about social pressure on appearences
Wow! I read lots of books aimed at this age group and this series is great! My students loved it! Hate the name but don't judge this series by that alone. Great story line, lots of adventures, amazing characters-this book gets you addicted to the series. Great for discussions and a fun read for all ages! Highly recommended by a headmistress of a girl's boarding school.
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AGE
This is graet book but it seemed it is for kids like thirteen and older.
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AGE
Enjoyable Reading for Tweens & Teens!
As a 7th grade Reading teacher, I recommend this series to my students often. Once they read Uglies, the first one in the series, they are hooked!
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AGE
a must read for everyone in junior high
Tally grew up in a society that values only beauty. All Tally wants is to turn sixteen and undergo the operation that will make her beautiful. But when her new found friend runs away to avoid the operation, Tally’s operation must also wait. Instead, she sets out to find and betray a secret society that exists so people can choose not to be beautiful. While this book is predictable, it also provides an insightful look at why beauty isn’t everything. Everyone can relate to this book, and by the end you might just reevaluate the way you look at people.
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AGE
A great book for teens everywhere!!
This is the best book that i have read in a long time!!! I absolutely love it!!! read it in less than 4 days... and its a 400+ page book. i would totally recomend it!!!
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AGE
a millions stars *******************************************
this was an awesome book. some of the girls at my school read it for book reports and said it was amazing and i should read it. so during the summer i picked up a copy of each book. i read them in between games during a softball tournament and when i got home afterwards i kept reading it. i read the entire series within three days during the softball tournament. i couldnt stop reading. you get addicted. its very interesting and makes you think about your life and how things could be in the future. its breath taking and should be read by every teen and adult. Everyone can relate somehow. it leaves you thinking about what would have happened if the tinyest thing was different. Such as in the 3rd book- Specials- Zane dies, how would it have been different if Zane hadn't died. Would he have went and found Tally?
FYI *the books are deffinitly not for children under the age of 13. the books includes alcohol, teen partying, breif mentions of sex, kissing scenes, and violent play.* the future tech also helps to make the book as amazing as it is. read the trilogy and you wont be sorry.
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