Pretty Face
by Mary Hogan
by Mary Hogan
PRETTY FACE by Mary Hogan
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 3/25/08
Publisher: HarperTeen
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel
Rating: 5 Stars
Hayley’s self esteem plummets even further when the guy she’s been crushing on asks her if she thinks her best friend
would date him. She leaves the beach, a place that she hates due to all the skinny girls in bikinis, and eats an entire large
pepperoni pizza without tasting it.
When she arrives back home, her mother can sense there’s something wrong, but she’s more concerned about her
daughter’s weight than her emotional health. Then her mother delivers the news: she’s sending Hayley to Italy for the
summer to live with her old college roommate. She hopes that this trip will help her daughter lose weight.
At first, Hayley is hesitant and yet excited about traveling. Part of her wants to lose weight and make her mother happy,
but she simply loves food.
Once in Italy, Hayley begins to relax and adapt to the Italian way of life. She finds beauty in nature, the old buildings, the
delicious food, and, finally, herself. She discovers the freedom to become comfortable in her own skin.
While Hayley’s weight issues drive her actions, the primary focus of PRETTY FACE deals with finding and appreciating
yourself.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 3/25/08
Publisher: HarperTeen
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel
Rating: 5 Stars
Hayley’s self esteem plummets even further when the guy she’s been crushing on asks her if she thinks her best friend
would date him. She leaves the beach, a place that she hates due to all the skinny girls in bikinis, and eats an entire large
pepperoni pizza without tasting it.
When she arrives back home, her mother can sense there’s something wrong, but she’s more concerned about her
daughter’s weight than her emotional health. Then her mother delivers the news: she’s sending Hayley to Italy for the
summer to live with her old college roommate. She hopes that this trip will help her daughter lose weight.
At first, Hayley is hesitant and yet excited about traveling. Part of her wants to lose weight and make her mother happy,
but she simply loves food.
Once in Italy, Hayley begins to relax and adapt to the Italian way of life. She finds beauty in nature, the old buildings, the
delicious food, and, finally, herself. She discovers the freedom to become comfortable in her own skin.
While Hayley’s weight issues drive her actions, the primary focus of PRETTY FACE deals with finding and appreciating
yourself.
