The Skin I'm In

The Skin I'm In
by Sharon Flake

This book is about Maleeka. Maleeka is very uncomfortable about her skin. She is very dark and kids make fun of her for it. They make up names, jokes, and comments about everything about her. Not only is she mad about her skin, but her mother also sews her clothes. Her mother isn't very good at sewing, but she started to sew when Maleeka's father died. It seems that everything went wrong in Maleeka's life when she lost her father. Before that happened, Maleeka loved her skin, her father made her feel beautiful. Also there was enough money for her to buy clothes. The only reason Maleeka won't say anything to her mother about the clothes it that she knows sewing is the only thing holding her together after her father's death.

There are four main people in Maleeka's life at school. Char, Midd Saunders, Caleb, and John-John. Char is one of the people who give Maleeka problems. Maleeka met her when she went up to Char and asked her to make her cool, offering to do her homework in exchange. At first Char laughs, but then she thought about it and agreed. The next day she brings in clothes for Maleeka, tells her that she always has to stand with her and her back-up crew, Raina and Raise. Char tells Maleeka to do the twins homework, too.

Miss Saunders is a new teacher, who in most students' eyes is very rich. Many people notice that she is big, but they mostly notice this big white birthmark on her face. She gets made fun of just like Maleeka does. Even though Maleeka doesn't like her, she helps Maleeka along with her struggles and helps her to understand that her skin is beautiful.

I like this book because it can relate to many kids that are made fun of. I also like this book because Maleeka likes to read, and so do I.

-M. Colon