The Pretties

The Pretties
Scott Westerfeld
Simon Pulse (November 1, 2005)
ISBN-13: 978-0689865398

Plot Summary: In this sequel Tally visits is now a "pretty." She is in constant pursuit of all that is "bubbly." She forgot about why she came to be a pretty and how she was supposed to help find a cure for the lesions on the brain from the surgery. David sends her a message to take two pills but Tally thinks it is just for fun and shares them with her new boyfriend, Zane. He has a horrible reaction turning him into almost a vegetable and now Tally must find a way to help him. In this book, Shay finds out about Tally's betrayal, and Tally also must seek the help of David.
Tally currently does not have many allies, but as she realizes what she must do, she attempts to make it right for Zane, and once again must deal with Dr. Cable.

Critical Evaluation: The "bubbly-ness" of The Pretties is unsettling. They want to party and drink and do not care about anything else. They stay skinny because they are on special food, and they can do whatever they want. It almost smacks of young Hollywood like what we see in Lindsey Lohhan and Paris Hilton. There is a focus on beauty and fun and little else.

Annotation: Tally shares the pills meant to cure her with Zane, and now she must find a way to help him She is among the pretties now where everything is bubbly and fun, and Tally learns the hard way that it is only an illusion.

Author: Scott Westerfeld was born in Dallas, TX on May 5, 1963. He now splits his time between Australia and New York, he has no children and no plans for any either.

Genre: YA novel

Curriculum Ties: there are none

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) Should Tally ask David to help with Zane?
2.) Does Tally deserve for Shay to be angry with her?
3.) Would you want happiness if it was an illusion?

Reading Level 15 and up/ 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues: Drinking, drugs
I would point out that this is a social critique, direct patrons to Scott Westerfeld's web page, and
I would explain policies for selection for San Diego County Libraries:

http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf

Selection: Scott Westerfeld does well providing a social critique of America's fascination with beauty, and surgery, as well as the way young Hollywood behaves regardless of the message it sends. I feel The Pretties is a great way to challenge young readers to consider our culture.