In the town of Gladder Hill, thereâs no such word as âugly.â Or âbeautiful.â
Zailey has never seen her own face. Sheâs never seen her reflection, a photo of herself, or even a drawing. In the special community of Gladder Hill, cameras and mirrors are forbidden: itâs why everyoneâs happier here. Nobody talks about anyone elseâs appearance. Youâre not supposed to think
about what other people look like, or what you look like.
But Zailey does.
She knows her superficial thoughts are wrong, and her sketchbook, filled with secret portraits of her classmates and neighbors, could get her in trouble. Yet she canât help but think those thoughts, and be curious about the outside world where she once lived, years ago. Most of all, she wonders
what itâs like to see herselfâher own face.
When Zailey suddenly finds herself beyond the gates of her town, she has a chance to see if what sheâs been taught about the outside world is true and search for the mother she barely remembers. Only then will she find out the real story about Gladder Hill. But is she prepared for the truth?