Hoge, Robert Ugly, 200 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2016. $17.
Content: PG (some taunting and bullying)
Robert was born with a tumor down the middle of his face and
other physical deformities. He needed
many surgeries to make his life just livable.
Even though his mother was reluctant to know her baby at first, she
become his fiercest protector soon after.
Robert gives us an honest look at life with his face, especially when
the kids at his school called him “Toe Face” after a reporter told his nose
reconstruction using cartilage from his amputated foot.
Thought the drug is never mentioned by name,
I’m pretty sure Robert was a victim of thalidomide. I love that Robert is heart-felt and honest
without being crass or inflammatory. All
of this is compelling to read, but take a special look at the list of nicknames
he remembers with the chart of how much power they had (have) over him. An excellent companion to Wonder. I am sorry I let this linger on the shelf and
didn’t tell you about it much earlier.
EL, MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.
Cindy, Library Teacher
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