I absolutely loved this novel for discussing superficial feelings and how they can be both positive and negative. This book approaches this topic in an intriguing way for middle school and opens up the conversation about identity and how appearances can help shape your own identity. The concept of a perfect place without the concept of appearances and differences in appearances is brought to light, but quickly it is shown how this is not actually a possible thing in the world due to human nature.

My Review:
8.7/10



Firstly, thank you so much Sourcebooks for giving me the ability to read this book digitally, before it comes out. Now let me get to the review.
This book was extraordinary. Better than The Giver even. It had some similar themes to The Giver and somewhat of the same setting, but it was way more captivating. Firstly, the idea of this story is brilliant, especially for the world we live in today, and how it deals with body image and how we, the people, perceive ourselves, and others. This was a fresh and original idea, which I had never read before.
The characters were all well developed, and you can see in the book the journey the main character, Zailey, goes on. I really don't want to give too much away because this is one of those books that if I give too much away, it won't be as powerful of a book. The world building the author used was hyper-realistic, and sometimes I wish I was in Gladder Hill, where commenting on someones looks is forbidden. Sounds nice, right?

OVERALL:
This is Christina Collins second standalone book, and for a new author, I truly couldn't tell. It was like she had written hundreds of books and perfected the way of a writer. Despite this being categorized as a Middle Grade book, I think this book would also apply to all young adults.

In an effort to create a culture free from body issues, some well meaning adults start a small community where beauty and appearance are ideas that are erased from a generation of children. In Gladder Hill, there are no mirrors or reflective surfaces, everyone has their hair shaved off, wear loose clothes that do not accentuate the body, and even words like "beauty" are never used. Everyone who enters has to agree to the rules about images and eradicating "superficiality." Of course, the children who were raised here did not agree to anything, and some become curious about themselves and the outside world. Another solid addition to dystopian children's literature.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought the plot was really interesting and I liked how the writing style progressed. It was a really interesting book and I thought the idea of it was amazing. I totally recommend this book to you!

Zaily's sketches set off a series of events in Gladder Hill, a utopian community where people are not allowed to see their own faces. The story puts an interesting spin on society’s obsession with appearance, although a few unbelievable plot twists and a sugar-coated conclusion diminish the full impact.

This is an interesting take on the isolated world where things are controlled for the better of society. In this case, it is a town in which no one can see themselves in a mirror, and words like beautiful and lovely are not to be used. Everyone is supposed to never mention appearances, and all are supposed to be judged on themselves.

The town has only existed for 10 years, or so, and Zailey was only four when she came here, and she doesn't remember much of her old life.

But she likes to draw faces, even if she can never seen her own, and she isn't sure if that is allowed.

That is the premise for which everything thing else happens.

The second half of the book is better than the first half, where Zailey is just talking about her town, and we get introduced to the principals about it. But it was so slow, and so frustrating, I almost gave up on the book, but then things began to happen.

Good for stiring up conversations about body beauty, if nothing else.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

Please help the book be made available at Aldiko app. I m facing issues with downloading otherwise. Thank you.