Ugly

Starred review from June 20, 2016
Writing with humor, honesty, compassion, and grace, Hoge recounts his life story, having been born with such severe physical deformities that his mother refused to see him. “Don’t even consider bringing him home,” a doctor said, “just forget him”—advice his four older siblings voted to ignore. Corrective surgeries continued throughout Hoge’s childhood as his medical team worked to give him “a new face that was more acceptable to society.” Hoge captures the nuances of his atypical experience; for example, he acknowledges “the doctors’ wonderful ingenuity in making me a new nose” out of an amputated toe, but “Toe Nose” tops his list of hurtful nicknames (“To this day, it’s the one nickname that has any real power over me”). Hoge’s parents’ determination to provide him with as normal an upbringing as possible, combined with his own outgoing nature and desire to participate in all activities, makes his coming-of-age story unique and universal. His first independent medical decision testifies to the power of a loving family and a courageous soul. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Agency.

June 1, 2016
A memoir of the first 14 years in the life of Australian Robert Hoge, born with stunted legs and a tumor in the middle of his face.In 1972, Robert is born, the youngest of five children, with fishlike eyes on the sides of his face, a massive lump in place of his nose, and malformed legs. As baby Robert is otherwise healthy, the doctors convince his parents to approve the first of many surgeries to reduce his facial difference. One leg is also amputated, and Robert comes home to his everyday white, working-class family. There's no particular theme to the tale of Robert's next decade and a half: he experiences school and teasing, attempts to participate in sports, and is shot down by a girl. Vignette-driven choppiness and the lack of an overarching narrative would make the likeliest audience be those who seek disability stories. However, young Robert's ongoing quest to identify as "normal"--a quest that remains unchanged until a sudden turnaround on the penultimate page--risks alienating readers comfortable with their disabilities. Brief lyrical moments ("as compulsory as soggy tomato sandwiches at snack time") appeal but are overwhelmed by the dry, distant prose dominating this autobiography. An apt choice for collections that already have stronger alternatives, such as R.J. Palacio's Wonder (2012). (Memoir. 8-12)

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July 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-This memoir, set in Australia, is a heartbreaking account of being born and living with severe physical deformities. As a child, Hoge was in general healthy, but his mother initially did not want to keep him because of his appearance-he was born with mangled legs and a large tumor in the middle of his face. Doctors predicted that surgery might kill him. Nevertheless, they proceeded with several operations to "fix" Hoge in the hopes they would help improve his life. As the years passed, Hoge experienced many ups and downs; he was able to make some loyal friends but was also teased by other children. Readers follow as he tries playing sports, attends summer camp, unsuccessfully auditions for a junior choir, and performs in a talent show. In the midst of all these efforts at having a more traditional childhood, Hoge underwent multiple surgeries to "improve" his face, as he understandably wished to belong. And despite wanting to look more "normal," Hoge later made a conscious decision not to have any more operations. The text is enormously accessible; Hoge draws readers in with creative language and analogies to help clarify and set the tone of his complex story. For instance, the book begins with the direction "Imagine you're in art class," with Hoge going on to detail the process of sculpting a face as a way to describe his own appearance. Pencil illustrations sprinkled throughout help set the scene for readers. VERDICT This empowering story will reach even the hardest of hearts. Recommended for its message of tolerance and acceptance.-Jess Gafkowitz, New York Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

emituc1617 - Have you ever felt different or worried about the way you look? If so you would understand what Robert Hoge the main character in the book Ugly a story by Robert Hoge feels like and goes through everyday. The book Ugly takes place in Australia in the year 1986. Robert Hoge was born with a squashed nose, his eyes were on the side of his head, and his legs were different sizes. The first conflict is that because of Roberts disability he can’t play the sports that he wants to. The second conflict is that because of how Robert looks the other kids at his school make fun of him and call him really mean nicknames that hurt his feelings. The protagonist is Robert because he overcoming his disability and trying to be like the other kids at his school. The antagonist is Roberts disability because his disability stops him from playing sports and riding a bike that he really wants to do. The turning point is at the end when Robert finally finds a sport that makes Robert feel like he is finally a part of a team which was his lifelong dream. I recommend this book for fifth graders and up. What would you do if you felt different or worried about the way you looked?

July 1, 2016
Grades 4-7 From the first sentence ( I'm the ugliest person you've never met ), this memoir is guaranteed to grab attention. Native Australian Hoge, now 44, writes of his struggles and triumphs after being born with misshapen legs and a tennis-ball-sized tumor on his face. Though surgery shortly after his birth removed the tumor, he still had abnormally wide-set eyes and no nose at all, only nostrils. Before Hoge was five, he'd had both legs amputated and endured life-threatening surgery to make his face more acceptable for others to see. His most-hated nickname in middle school was toe nose cartilage from his amputated right foot was used to build a new nose. Despite all this, his family's unconditional support helped him cope with the surgeries, stares, and teasing he endured, and he reflects humorously on his attempts to ride a bike or woo his dream girl in fourth grade. In this honest, painful, and often funny memoir, readers will identify with Hoge's realization that everyone is different, and his are just different differences. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)