Duckling Ugly by Neal Schusterman

Cara De Fido is a girl so ugly that her reflection breaks mirrors and clouds the water. Isolated from her peers, and frequently the victim of cruel pranks, Cara lives a life of misery and self-loathing. She escapes her life by going to a world that she has created in her mind- a beautiful green valley where a handsome boy waits for her. After a disaster at the homecoming dance, Cara flees. She ends up finding the place in her dreams, including the handsome boy. Everyone in this place is beautiful and welcoming, but Cara does not believe that she fits into the community. It isnt until she discovers the secret of their community, that Cara truly feels as if she has found a place where she belongs. Cara is unable to forget those she left behind and decides to return. Cara is warned that she cannot stay long, or else she'll discover there are worse things than being ugly. This may be a fairy tale retelling- but don't expect a happily ever after ending! Shusterman's story is dark and edgy with a narrator whose self-loathing haunts every page. The moral to the story is obvious and comes across strongly- beauty is only skin deep.