The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
The Skin I'm in by Sharon G. Flake is about a girl named Maleeka who has been through racism, bullying , family loss, and pain. Maleeka doesn't really have a lot of friends. Maleeka goes to McClenton Middle School . She is constantly made fun of for her Black skin; her tall, thin body; and the ill-fitting clothes that her mom makes for her. John John is one of the bullies Maleeka. John John made a song making fun of her. Then we have a classmate of Maleekas. The name of one of these people is Charlese. Maleeka didn’t consider her as a friend since she is a bad influence . Charlese is the toughest girl in school, and the year prior to the novel's events, Charlese was one of Maleeka's primary bullies—particularly when Maleeka started hanging out with Caleb. Caleb is the boy that Maleeka was interested in but they never dated since none of them confess their feelings for each other.
The Skin I'm in openly talks about colorism and racism. It gives you a first-hand perspective about being bullied about your skin color. I am currently working on it with my class, and I definitely recommend it! It was really easy to read. I didn't stop reading it because it was a good book. The book shows you how life is difficult and you have to live your life and no matter what people say you have to love the way you are.It was an interesting book. You couldn't tell what would happen next. My favorite part of The Skin I'm In was when Caleb confesses his love to Maleeka. It was adorable to read the part since it takes almost all the book for him and Maleeka to accept it.
3/5 stars
In the book, the main character says ¨I am not ugly. I am not stupid. I am Maleeka Madison, and, yeah, I'm black, real black, and if you don't like me, too bad 'cause black is the skin I'm in!” This quote shows Maleeka´s self-love.
- Camila
“To look in the mirror and like what you see, even when it doesn't look like your idea of beauty.”
The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. There was a person called Maleeka. She was a black female and was in 6th grade. When Maleeka would go to school she would get bullied because she was black and would get bullied by some people. One of those people was called John John and he made a rap song about her being black. At one point of the book she gets along with some people who treat her like actual friends would treat her. Maleekas mom would make Maleekas clothes for her and she met a friend that would complement her clothes and would like to try some.
I would recommend this book to people who understand how racism actually works. I liked the book because it showed how some people out there make fun of people because of their skin color and who they are and what they like and also what they look like. People of a certain skin color can easily make fun of them, especially people who have been bullied for a long time because they have a disadvantage.
- BEYMAR
The Skin I’m in by Sharon G Flake is an unfair world full of racism and other things. Maleeka tries to make the school fair, but mostly her school is a death trap. Miss Saunders is a new teacher. Maleeka is waiting for Miss Saunders to make fun of her but the unexpected happens. Miss Saunders likes Maleeka skin; it reminds her of a dark blue night. But things don’t change. She still suffers every day.
The book was confusing because it starts off with feelings that I don’t understand. It’s pretty easy to read the book other than the curse words. The book in fact was never predictable because sudden things came out of nowhere. My favorite part was when Miss Saunders said “Maleeka, your skin is pretty like a blue black sky after it’s rained and rained,”. I haven't finished the book yet. I rate the book a 3 because there are some weird predictions in it and racism.