 In the future children are "Uglies" until they turn 16. On their 16th birthday they get to become "Pretties" by undergoing surgery. Tally, a mischievous teenager faces the possibility of being denied this surgery after a friend of hers who is against the surgery joins a rebellious group and runs away to a secret town filled with "Uglies" that have refused to undergo the surgery. Tally is given a choice, narc on her best friend or be an "Ugly" forever.