Join Dallas Museum of Art to hear a powerful personal story that examines life, love, beauty, and owning our own physical imperfections. When Australian author 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: whether to undergo another dangerous surgical procedure that might make his looks less striking but could cost him his sight, or living with his “ugly” face forever.

Geared to middle grade readers and older, Ugly shows how an extraordinary boy grew up to have an ordinary life – perhaps his greatest achievement of all.