The Pretty One

August 1, 2008
Gr 9-11-Megan, 16, and her older sister, Lucy, attend the Chesapeake School of the Arts in Baltimore. Lucy is the beautiful and talented school darling, majoring in drama. Megan is a techie, one of the unattractive nerds majoring in set design. She has lived in her sister's shadow, but their relationship has always been loving, with Lucy supportive of her younger sibling. Then, on the night of the school's fall festival, Megan overhears Lucy making negative comments about her looks and overstuffed dress. Overwhelmed with feelings of betrayal, anger, and grief, she runs out of the building, stopping only when she is hit by an oncoming car. Months later, the bandages come off and she is well enough to return to schoolas one of the beautiful people. Reconstructive surgery has given her a face more stunning than Lucy's and has wrought more changes in her life than she thought possible. Her secret wishes are coming true, but at what price? The constant attention and focus on her beauty is confusing to her, and she's no longer sure of who she is or what she wants. The protagonist has a strong voice and is a good role model for teens who think that life is easier if you're the pretty one."Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Sisters Lucy (the pretty one) and Megan (the ugly one) address sibling rivalry head-on. After an accident, reconstructive surgery makes Megan beautiful, and the sisters vie for the same boy at their performing arts high school. Klam's depiction of the downside of beauty and the doors that unfairly open for those born--or made--beautiful is unsubtle, but her story is engaging.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)