"Uglies" is a young adult dystopian novel by Scott Westerfeld set in a future society where people undergo surgery at age sixteen to become "Pretties." The story follows Tally Youngblood, a girl who is eager to become Pretty but begins to question the societal norms and the consequences of conformity. As Tally navigates her world, she discovers a group of rebels known as the Smokies who reject the surgery and embrace their natural appearances. The novel explores themes of beauty, identity, and the impact of societal expectations on individual choices.