Uglies

I sometimes think people decide to label their writing “for young adults” or “for children” when it is not up to adult standards. Honestly, the writing in this book is weak, with the feel of a Nancy Drew book written by a staff writer. But that's okay for me; I liked the plot just enough to forgive the weak writing. The story takes place in a world where the key event of one's life occurs at age sixteen with an operation to make one stunningly beautiful. Until that time, people are known as Uglies; after the operation, they become Pretties. The main character of the novel, Tally, meets a new friend, Shay, who decides to run away, to avoid the operation. A good story for adolescents who are always confronted with society's demands for great beauty.