Friday Memes: Ugly by Robert Hoge

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

Ugly by Robert Hoge. 200 p. Viking/ Penguin Young Readers Group, September 6, 2016. 9780425287750. 

Publisher synopsis: “We all have scars only we can own.”

 
When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes.  Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same.  
 
Strangers stared at him. Kids called him names, and adults could be cruel, too. Everybody seemed to agree that he was “ugly.” But Robert refused to let his face define him. He played pranks, got into trouble, had adventures with his big family, and finally found a sport that was perfect for him to play. 
 
Then Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life.
 
This life, this funny, moving, and true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face is perfect for fans of Wonder and shows how what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are.

First Line(s): Chapter 1, entitled, "The Art of Being Ugly."
Imagine you're in art class. The teacher drops a lump of wet, sticky clay on the bench in front of you.

Page 56: Chapter 8, entitled, "It's All Downhill from Here."
I wanted to ride a bike so much, I thought I'd burst into flames if I didn't.
     One day Catherine, Paula and Gary were playing outside. I asked Gary if i could try riding his bike.
     "Sure," he said. "But you'll need your legs on."
     When I was wearing my artificial legs they helped me interact better with the big, wide world. I was taller when I had them on, and could walk around like other kids. But that didn't come without a cost. My prosthetics were cumbersome and heavy, and wearing them often made my real legs hot and sore. Imagine wearing a big boot that goes all the way up to your knee, and you'll get a sense of what it's like.