The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun: Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 1998
ISBN: 078682392-5

Plot Summary:
Maleeka Madison has been teased almost all her life for having dark skin. Then she gets a new English teacher, Ms. Saunders, who has a large discolored scar across her face. Ms. Saunders feels a kinship with Maleeka right away, though Maleeka is reluctant to admit they have anything in common. The book follows Maleeka as she deals with the challenges of trying to fit in and be cool, and trying to be her own person. She takes two steps forward, then always one back, but Ms. Saunders refuses to give up on her, even after Maleeka is caught setting her classroom on fire. In the end, with the support of Ms. Saunders, Maleeka finally stands up for herself against her two antagonizers, Char and John-John and learns to love the skin she is in.

Critical Evaluation:
This book rang true on so many levels. Not only have I witnessed African American youths making fun of their darker-skinned peers, but beyond the surface conflict, I think almost every adolescent can relate to the themes of peer pressure and finding a unique identity in this novel. Maleeka is a fully-realized, extremely complex character who I think most adolescents can relate to. One minute she's ditching class to smoke in the girls restroom, the next she is doing extra credit homework just for fun. She tries to be good but finds it hard to resist the pressure from her popular, bad-girl "friends."

On a literary level, this book is simply written in the dialect of the inner-city, though it's not overwhelming or forced. There are certain motifs that run through the novel which elevate the writing. Skin is the most obvious one, but there's also the idea of the slave. Maleeka keeps a diary as "Akeelma" the slave girl. She is literally a slave, but then we see that so is Maleeka in some respects. She can't stand up to her tormenter, Char, and does whatever Char tells her to do. Then Char calls her a slave for going to class and doing her homework. It's an effective parallel to draw, and one that Maleeka slowly sees and finally breaks free of her figurative chains.

Reader’s Annotation:
Maleeka's dark skin sets her apart, until she meets Ms. Saunders, someone with skin worse than hers. Through struggles and triumphs, the bond they eventually form helps Maleeka see her own beauty and place in the world.

Information about the Author:
This was Sharon Flake's first novel which won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She is a public relations director at the University of Pittsburgh, and a former youth counselor.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum ties: 8th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would ask students to think of something that they have been teased about or have teased others about, and I would share something I was teased about. We could also talk about times we have felt like outsiders or felt pressured to do something or act a certain way in order to fit in. That would lead to my discussion about Maleeka.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
I think this book is suitable for ages 13-16. I feel like it is an especially good choice for older students who are at a lower reading level. The writing is simple, but the concepts are mature.

Challenge Issues:
It's possible that this book would be challenged for some scenes of violence. Maleeka is acosted by two older boys who decide at the last minute not to rape her. Then later Maleeka beats a group of boys off one of her classmates. If someone were to challenge this book, I would explain to her the literary quality of the book and also provide her with a copy of our library's collection guide and a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I actually chose this book for two reasons. The first is that I had read Flake's book of short stories Who am I Without Him? and loved it, and secondly, a student of mine recommended it to me. I was an English teacher, and he said I reminded him of Ms. Saunders, which after reading it, I took as a huge compliment.