Ugly

by Robert Hoge

Overview

This true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face is perfect for fans of Wonder—now with exclusive paperback content!
 
When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes.  Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same. 
 
Strangers stared at him, kids called him names, and adults could be cruel in their own ways. Everybody seemed to agree that Robert was "ugly." But Robert refused to let his face dictate his entire life. Then, when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are.

* Features an exclusive introduction, photographs, and Q&A from the author! *

★ "Eminently readable . . . a gripping readaloud, readalone, and discussion point all on its own."—BCCB, starred review

"A jaw-dropping story of resilience, courage, and fierce hope."—New York Times bestselling author Joan Bauer

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425287774
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/07/2017
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	114,467
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	890L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Robert Hoge has done pretty much every kind of writing there is. He has worked as a journalist, a speechwriter, a science writer, and a political adviser. He's also written numerous short stories, articles, and interviews that have been published in Australia and overseas. When he's not writing, Robert enjoys photography and talking with people about looking different and being disabled. He lives in Brisbane, Australia, and is maried and has two amazing daughters.

Visit him at RobertHoge.com and follow him @RobertHoge.

Read an Excerpt

I’m the ugliest person you’ve never met.
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Ugly"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Robert Hoge.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Young Readers Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

Reviews for UGLY:

★ "Eminently readable . . . a gripping readaloud, readalone, and discussion point all on its own."—BCCB, starred review

★ “Writing with humor, honesty, compassion, and grace…Hoge captures the nuances of his atypical experience…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.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
“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.’”—Booklist

“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…This empowering story will reach even the hardest of hearts. Recommended for its message of tolerance and acceptance.”—School Library Journal

“Robert Hoge writes his exceptional life story in straightforward, compelling prose that forced me to question how I often I judge what I see around me. Bravo, Mr. Hoge! Please write more books.”—Holly Goldberg Sloan, bestselling author of Counting By 7s

"Ugly made me think, it made me feel both joy and sadness, but most of all, it made me laugh. This is an honest, intelligent, and descriptive story of what it's like to grow up with a disability, including the good, the bad, and the...ugly."—Shane Burcaw, author of Laughing at My Nightmare

"A jaw-dropping story of resilience, courage, and fierce hope."—New York Times bestselling author Joan Bauer

From the Publisher

★ 06/20/2016
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. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

07/01/2016
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

School Library Journal

2016-05-18
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)

Kirkus Reviews