Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Robert does a simply wonderful job of encapsulating what it's like to grow up when you are different. Robert was born with deformed legs and a tumor in the middle of his face- covering his nose and pushing apart his eyes. In the beginning his own mother didn't even want him. Over time Robert won over everyone around him despite his looks. Doctors worked hard and reconstructed his face and rebuilt his nose--but there was only so much they could do--leaving scars and bumps covering most of his face. Growing up is hard enough without having a difference that everyone can see.
This book is one I feel should be read in schools to help show children what bullying can do. I wish the book was longer, it seems to end rather abruptly and leaves a lot of his life to your own imagination. The first few chapters also lacked some luster although I adored the visualization of being in ceramics class.
This book is one I feel should be read in schools to help show children what bullying can do. I wish the book was longer, it seems to end rather abruptly and leaves a lot of his life to your own imagination. The first few chapters also lacked some luster although I adored the visualization of being in ceramics class.
3.5
Robert Hoge was born with a few birth defects - a tumor on his head, facial deformities, and legs that didn't work. While, at first, his mom didn't want to see him, she became his biggest champion and helped him through multiple surgeries and life. This novel is the account of his life.
As an audiobook, this was read by the author, something I always enjoy. This is certainly a powerful book about what Robert went through, but more importantly the grit and joy he found throughout.
Robert Hoge was born with a few birth defects - a tumor on his head, facial deformities, and legs that didn't work. While, at first, his mom didn't want to see him, she became his biggest champion and helped him through multiple surgeries and life. This novel is the account of his life.
As an audiobook, this was read by the author, something I always enjoy. This is certainly a powerful book about what Robert went through, but more importantly the grit and joy he found throughout.
Robert Hoge's memoir tells his story of growing up "ugly", having been born with a tumor in the middle of his face and malformed legs. The remarkable part of this book is that for the most part his childhood was unremarkable. After almost being rejected by his mother, his parents and four older siblings really provided Robert with a very normal childhood. He attended the same schools as his siblings, and had many of the same opportunities.
There were times in school where kids, and even adults, could be cruel. Hoge recalls when as a high school student he went to the primary school to work with younger students. The principal was very cruel, and told him they should have had some kind of warning that he would be there, because of the way he looked. Then there were the nicknames - Toe Nose, Cripple, etc. Hoge went through a list of them, and how he dealt with them.
The final chapter of the book recalls how at fourteen years old, Hoge was scheduled for another surgery, where doctors would make his face look more "normal" by making his nose less bulbous, smoothing out some of the scars and "craters", and moving his eyes closer together. Hoge tells how his parents let him decide for himself; after balancing the risks, Hoge decided not to undergo surgery. He relates how it is the first time he took ownership of his appearance, and because of that he was okay with how he looked.
This memoir would be a wonderful nonfiction pairing with Wonder by RJ Palaccio, and a good read for middle grade students.
There were times in school where kids, and even adults, could be cruel. Hoge recalls when as a high school student he went to the primary school to work with younger students. The principal was very cruel, and told him they should have had some kind of warning that he would be there, because of the way he looked. Then there were the nicknames - Toe Nose, Cripple, etc. Hoge went through a list of them, and how he dealt with them.
The final chapter of the book recalls how at fourteen years old, Hoge was scheduled for another surgery, where doctors would make his face look more "normal" by making his nose less bulbous, smoothing out some of the scars and "craters", and moving his eyes closer together. Hoge tells how his parents let him decide for himself; after balancing the risks, Hoge decided not to undergo surgery. He relates how it is the first time he took ownership of his appearance, and because of that he was okay with how he looked.
This memoir would be a wonderful nonfiction pairing with Wonder by RJ Palaccio, and a good read for middle grade students.
Ugly is one of the few books that I have re-read (3 times). I find Robert's vulnerability deeply inspiring.
A good informational book on dealing with bullying because you are different due to medical abnormalities when you were born. This would be a good pair with Wonder.
I stumbled across this book in a thrift store. It's one of the few Australian YAL texts I've picked up. A few notes:
-I love that this is a memoir. I had no idea who Robert was, and I'm so glad that I do now (and that I got to hear it from him). I feel like the reality of this story is what makes it so important.
-The actual writing/format of this book is disappointing. It's really erratic, moving from piece to piece to piece. I also cannot quite decide who the target audience is - Most of the description/sentence structure feels very babyish, while there are other portions of the book that require some adult background knowledge to understand. It's really corny, but without the warmth and whimsy to appeal to younger readers.
-There was a huge disconnect with the people in Robert's life. I couldn't tell if he felt close to any of them (maybe he doesn't, and that's the point). The only person who even remotely made an impression in his story was his bowls coach.
-I probably wouldn't recommend this as a YAL text. It doesn't stand on its own as a memoir, and there are many other books out there about physical differences that have better readibility/use language that resonates with young readers.
-I love that this is a memoir. I had no idea who Robert was, and I'm so glad that I do now (and that I got to hear it from him). I feel like the reality of this story is what makes it so important.
-The actual writing/format of this book is disappointing. It's really erratic, moving from piece to piece to piece. I also cannot quite decide who the target audience is - Most of the description/sentence structure feels very babyish, while there are other portions of the book that require some adult background knowledge to understand. It's really corny, but without the warmth and whimsy to appeal to younger readers.
-There was a huge disconnect with the people in Robert's life. I couldn't tell if he felt close to any of them (maybe he doesn't, and that's the point). The only person who even remotely made an impression in his story was his bowls coach.
-I probably wouldn't recommend this as a YAL text. It doesn't stand on its own as a memoir, and there are many other books out there about physical differences that have better readibility/use language that resonates with young readers.
It was fine I guess wasn't really anything to special for me don't think I'll really ever look back on this book.
Robert Hoge's Ugly would make an interesting pairing with R.J. Palacio's Wonder. While Wonder is realistic fiction, however, Robert Hoge's life has been played out "for reals," making this memoir a perfect addition to any classroom, school or public library for kids. Kids need to know that people come in all shapes and sizes, and that sometimes people have to overcome more than a tumor in the middle of your face and legs needing corrective surgery. Sometimes people have to overcome society's judgement about said face and legs. Sometimes people have lessons to teach us without speaking a word; sometimes people live their lives with the kind of quiet dignity that screams from the mountaintops. And kids need to know.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
A great, kid-appropriate way to get a glimpse into the life of someone born with a disfiguring disability. Just the right amount of humor with great authenticity.
Simple memoir that I think kids could relate to at parts and that explains spending time in the hospital without being very sad or scary.