The Skin I'm In

Maleeka is in seventh grade and deals with bullies giving her a hard time about her clothes (sewn by her mother after her father's death) and her dark skin. Even her best "friend" Char is trouble, but Maleeka keeps her head down because Char's attention and changes of clothes are all that keep her from being picked on even more. But then a teacher with a light patch on her face who also draws the kids' attention takes an interest in Maleeka. Will she be able to fit in her own skin and stand up to the bullies?

Though the book originally came out over 20 years ago, its themes of accepting yourself and standing up for what's right are just as relevant as ever. Maleeka's doubt, fear, and gradual growth unfold naturally in the course of this show more quiet, character-driven story. show less

The Skin I’m In follows 12-year-old Maleeka Madison as she navigates middle school insecurities, peer ridicule about her homemade clothes, and harsh scrutiny over her dark skin. Everything shifts when a new teacher—Miss Saunders, whose own face bears a startling white birthmark—encourages Maleeka to embrace self-love. With sharp dialogue, emotional authenticity, and a powerful message about identity and acceptance, Sharon Flake delivers an important and timely coming-of-age story. Jason Reynolds contributes a thoughtful foreword to this anniversary edition.

tw | bullying, colorism, sexual harassment

i read this book in 7th grade. my English teacher had a white savior complex and wanted to be both ms saunders and the woman from freedom writers. I will admit I am grateful she let us read this book. i first heard of this book in 5th grade and was afraid to read it. i've read it multiple times as an adult and seeing maleeka going from this scared and jaded girl to someone confident with so much hope and a growing voice still gives me hope that things will get better with the right guidance and with time. i loved her mother and how she believed in her daughter and was so soft with her but also knee when to be strict even if she was struggling with her own grief. i can wait to revisit this show more universe when "the family i'm in" comes out. show less

Maleeka Madison is desperately trying to blend into the middle school wood work. The nail that stands out gets pounded, and Maleeka has plenty to pound-- no money, homemade clothes, book smarts and good grades and, impossible to hide, very black skin. She is at exactly the age when so many girls lose their confidence and Maleeka learns to avoid, live with, deal with the bullying by becoming "friends" (minions) with her main tormentor Charlese Jones who bestows favors and humiliations at her whim. Her reputation and grades and self esteem suffer because of the association, but to Maleeka's thinking-- this is the best deal she can get..until Ms. Saunders shows up. A career changer with ideas and attitude, Saunders isn't like the other show more teachers and she is not having it. She sees the potential in Maleeka and she encourages her--over and over again--to love herself and have pride and be who you want to be--not who you think you have to settle for. Aim higher!
A great book for middle schoolers-boys as well as girls--i found it fast paced and well written and real--no one is perfect here--the characters are complex and nuanced just like in real life and this is a good book that teens will identify with and eat up. Similar in theme and in teen popularity to Anne Schraff's Lost and Found (Bluford Series) The Skin I'm in is far superior with complex and well developed characters and plot lines, as well as a much better, and more realistic examination of the issues bullying and low self esteem. A Coretta Scott King Award winner. Highly recommended. show less

Maleeka is tired of being teased because her skin is so dark, but when a new teacher arrives at school that has a white patch on her face, Maleeka thinks maybe Ms. Saunders has it worse than she does. As she tries to navigate school, Maleeka hides behind a popular girl, remaining her friend by doing her homework and borrowing her clothes. Slowly, though, under the influence of Ms. Sanders, Maleeka starts to see that she has worth when she finds courage enough to get a more natural hairstyle and begins writing a fictional diary of a girl that has been captured into slavery, making her way in a ship across the Atlantic. However, Maleeka's problems get worse before they get better.

The Skin I'm In is a very timely novel even though it was show more written more than 20 years ago. The issues that the characters face in this book are not only include dealing with race but also with just being a kid in middle school. The slave girl's diary entries that Maleeka writes are not only insightful, but they also mirror the feelings and experiences that most affect Maleeka in the present. Overall, The Skin I'm In is a serious story that reflects serious issues. show less

I loved this book!! I think this book would be great to use in middle school where kids are still trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. This books has a little bit of everything; social class, clicks, race, school, teenagers, peer pressure, and bullying. Those are just some of things that the book covers and what most teenagers go through in middle/high school. In, The Skin I'm In Maleeka, is a middle school girl who is struggling with trying to find her voice and who she is after losing her father. This is a must read book for all ages!

I enjoyed reading this book. This was not my first time reading it, too. I really enjoyed the writing in this chapter book. Even though it is meant for readers of older elementary age levels, it still is very fun and engaging. The writing is relate-able to students who experience the same struggle that Maleeka experiences. An example of the writing is "But even those hundred-dollar pants suits she brought in for me to wear can't make up for the hurt I feel when she slaps me with them mean words of hers." Maleek is struggling with issues of her own and the book broaden the readers perspectives in knowing there is more to life than their own. The main idea of the text is that everyone should love the skin they are. We are who we are and show more there's no way to change that. show less