The 4 books in Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series, is an inspiring story for children packed with, possible, technology. Unlike other science fiction for children and young adults, the technology isn't fantastical and beyond comprehension, and also is not the central focus of the story. The tech almost seems achievable, and because of this, stimulating the creative mind. Some very standard scifi technology, like hoverboards, replicators, heated and cooled jackets, peppers the story throughout. Advanced technology, like hovering robot cameras that follow you everywhere, animated tattoos that react to emotion, augmented reality vision, and ambient communication, color the story seamlessly and relatable as if it all could exist today.
The book series also addresses common issue in today's culture. Such as one's own image, standing out, and being accepted. In particular, the story takes the current issue of the media's view on what is good looking and takes it to extremes, and of course, showcasing both sides of the argument. Later in the series, Westerfeld takes a look at the impending future of our current trend in social connectivity on the internet. In the 4th book, "Extras," the characters in the story vie for top ranking on the web, and how doing so may be fun, or hurt the ones close to them.
Where a fantasy book like Harry Potter places the reader in a magical world void of possibility, The Uglies series let the reader see an achievable, and possible future. The author took inspiration from many fringe, new, and conceptual technologies. A grain of fact can go a long way. So, where can a fun book based on reality take your young reader?
I know I will not see wizards and spells in the future, but I look forward to seeing heated and cooled jackets. Hovering robots that follow me around would be cool too. Get to inspiring today, and check out the Uglies Collector Set.
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