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    The Skin I'm In
    The Skin I'm In
    The Skin I'm In
    Audiobook3 hours

    The Skin I'm In

    Written by Sharon Flake

    Narrated by Sisi Aisha Johnson

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Award-winning author Sharon G. Flake crafts a remarkable story of one girl's struggle to accept herself. Maleeka Madison is a dark-skinned African-American girl. She feels uncomfortable and wishes she had lighter skin. When her teacher, Miss Saunders, who suffers from a rare skin condition, shows that there is more to people than the color of their skin, Maleeka learns to appreciate and accept who she truly is. Sisi Aisha Johnson's gripping narration makes this story come alive.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMar 11, 2008
    ISBN9781428193901
    The Skin I'm In

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    Reviews for The Skin I'm In

    4/5

    270 ratings41 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Love how real and in-your-face it is
    • 4/5
      My mom bought me this book as a young girl and years and years later I have never forgotten the chant "Maleeka Maleeka we sure wanna keep her, but she's so black, we just can't see her". This book stuck with me. Definitely tells the story of many young girls with dark skin. ?
    • 5/5
      Phenomenal book. My students thoroughly enjoyed the story and could easily relate to it. I recommend the book for all students from upper elementary and above. Kudos to the author!
    • 4/5
      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 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.
    • 5/5
      A book focused on loving yourself, being true to you, and never allowing someone else to define you!
    • 4/5
      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 quiet, character-driven story.
    • 5/5
      Great lessons on accecpting who you are
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable, though it hits a bit too close to home.
    • 4/5
      This story is the story of a girl that just doesn't feel like she fits in; a story that many girls Maleeka's age can relate to. Flake tells the story of a girl who is taught to be comfortable in her own body and teaches her readers how they can do the same through Maleeka's story.
    • 4/5
      Maleeka Madison is a middle schooler struggling with to find her voice and her place in the world. Miss Saunders, a new English teacher, encourages Maleeka to express herself through writing and shows her that she can break out of her shell and break from her circle of friends. This book was recommended to me by some of my female students who have read it in the past. It's a quick read... good for the middle grades, especially for middle grade girls.
    • 5/5
      The Skin I’m In“Maleeka Maleeka badoom boom boom She so black badomm boom boom you can’t even see her badoom boom boom!” said the mean kids at Maleeka’s school. This what the kids say to Maleeka when every time she comes around. This is very heart breaking that this young girl goes to school and get picked on all the time.The author wrote this book because she want kids that have low self a stem about their selves to understand that none of it really matters unless they believe it to.I read this book twice and I loved this book so much. I thought that this book was a book full of valuable lessons.Maleeka Madison- A poor, African-American girl who gets teased harshly at her middle school because of her dark skin color and homemade clothes.Maleeka learns to come to terms in the skin she is in.Charlese Jones (Char)- The antagonist of the story. She is a fast talking trouble making girl who is one of Maleeka's top teasers. She lends Maleeka her expensive outfits in exchange for Maleeka doing her homework.Miss Saunders- Maleeka's English teacher. She has a rare skin disorder on her face that she says no one was able to get rid of. So instead, she doesn't let it get in her way. She is confident and essentially is what Maleeka dreams of being.John-John- Another one of the people at Maleeka's school who teases her. He made a rap about how dark she was on a class trip. He later reveals to Maleeka that the reason he teases her so much is because when Maleeka first moved to their neighborhood in second grade she didn't want to sit by him, therefore, he assumed she thought she was better than him.Caleb- Maleeka's love interest.He's a caring boy who really cares about his school and doesn't care about what people think about him. He's a little shy when it comes to Maleeka. He is biracial.Raina and Raise- Charlese's "[sidekick]s" in a way. They agree with everything and go along with everything Char does.Momma/ Mrs. Madison (Maleeka's mother)- Maleeka's loving mother. Though devastated after the death of her husband, Mrs. Madison still pushes Maleeka to do well in school and tries to relieve some of her depression through sewing Maleeka clothes. Some people believe that she is crazy although Maleeka believes that she is very smart and bright mother.I recommend this book to all kids who feel bad about the way you look and to all the bullies that bully a lot of kids.
    • 4/5
      Very good book about an amazingly smart girl who has issues with herself. Most of the self esteem issues stem from how dark her skin is and all the people at school who make fun of her for it. Maleeka is a fantastic writer and she comes up with an alter ego, by the name of Akeelma, who is taped to some sort of slave ship. I believe she comes up with this character to vocalize the daily captivity that she feels.Maleeka's biggest mountain to hurdle is her "gangs" leader Charlese. At the end of the book Char has beaten Maleeka down so much that she has hit rock bottom and has nowhere to go but up. She finally speaks up and it makes her world a better place.
    • 4/5
      Maleeka is a dark skinned girl who is teased about the color of her skin. Her classmates really tear her down so much that she starts believing the things they are saying. When she gets a new teacher she starts to learn to love and respect her self and finds peace in who she is. This is a very uplifting book that teaches kinds about self respect and bullying.
    • 5/5
      For years, Maleeka has been shunned, belittled and bullied by her fellow classmates because of her black skin, and has learned to be ashamed of herself. Seeking to blend in, she allows others to dictate her study habits, how she looks, and her behavior. When a new English teacher comes to her school and tries to instill a sense of pride and ownership in her students, Maleeka finds herself strangely repelled yet drawn to her words. However, her old life, and fear of change, threatens to make Maleeka turn her back on the only way that she can finally be free in her own skin.
    • 5/5
      I Loved this book. It would good for a lesson on bullying. it could be used for many lesons. It was an easy read andi feel you could use it and a book the whole class reads either taking turns or have a recording reading it.
    • 4/5
      A wonderfully realistic story of self-esteem and friendship (both the real kind and the user kind). Maleeka is a thoroughly engaging protagonist, and watching her grow in her relationships with her mother, her teachers, and her fellow students is a real treat.
    • 3/5
      I think this book was both well-written and interesting to read. For some reason that I can't quite put my finger on, I just didn't see it as a great read like I had expected.

      The topic is - like all books on bullying and harassing - timely and obviously pertinent, and (unlike The Chocolate War) the ending gave hope to young adults that might be dealing with the same situations. The most interesting parts to me were the "diary" entries that were written. They were so insightful and the analogy used was strong and made an impact.

      Overall, I'm not sure what exactly it is that made me slightly underwhelmed by this book, but I would say it's worth a read for its insights, and that you can read it in under two hours.
    • 4/5
      The Skin I'm In follows the everyday life of Maleeka Maddison. Maleeka struggles everyday with her self concidence and figuring out who she really is. Day after day, Charleese challenges Maleeka, and although Maleeka wants so badly to stand up for herself, she fails every time. Maleeka struggles internally with the loss of her father, the color of her skin, the clothes she has to wear, growing up in poverty, and having to support her mother emotionally. Ms. Saunders, a new teacher at school, notices that Maleeka is very bright, and begins to take her under her wing. Initially, Maleeka has no respect for Ms. Saunders, but they soon begin to form somewhat of a friendship. Charleese gets Maleeka in trouble, and Maleeka is finally pushed to her breaking point. Maleeka stands up to Charleese, and tells the truth about how she has been treated by Charleese. Maleeka has finally found her voice, and begins to have a more possitive outlook on her life and herself.
    • 5/5
      The Skin I'm In is an outstanding realistic fiction novel written by author Sharon Flake. She narrates the story of a young African American girl living in the inner city. The main character faces the challenges of self esteem and skin color. She learns to empower her self and tackle her own ideas of self image.
    • 3/5
      Well-regarded teen novel that I'd been intending to read for a looooooooooooong time. Good read. I did want a little bit more from it, but it certainly captured a lot of the trials of being a teen (peer pressure, finding one's own voice, learning to recognize that adults having it tough too, etc.).
    • 4/5
      Wonderful story that has the potential to teach its reader to be comfortable with who they are. This story follows Maleeka, a girl who is heavily bullied because her skin is "too dark." She goes on a journey of understanding herself and what she is and being okay with that. As the story progresses Maleeka learns that she is okay in "the skin she's in." This a fantastic book that teaches not only literacy concepts but life concepts.
    • 5/5
      This book goes through how a seventh grader gets teased because of her dark skin color. This is a powerful book that I believe every child should read. I gives them an insight into how others feel and how it feels to be treated poorly because of skin color.
    • 4/5
      The Skin I'm In is a fiction novel about an African American girl named Maleeka who gets teased because of her race. She becomes friends with Char, the antagonist character, and often gets in trouble because of her. There are many times she is in a situation and doesn't know what to do. Maleeka grows tired of everyone bulling her so she finally stands up for herself. I think that many kids would enjoy reading this because they can relate to it.
    • 5/5
      Maleeka is an African American that is always getting picked on by her color and apperences.One day while at school a new teacher walks in the classroom that she does'nt reconize. Maleeka quickly notices that this teacher has a white patch on her face. The other children make fun of her because of this while Maleeka is nice about it and ask if she is okay with the way she looks. The techer is proud of the skin shes in and Maleeka is wondering if she can do the same. Find out while Maleeka goes on a wild ride over discovering if she is okay with the skin shes in.
    • 4/5
      This story is one that many teenagers would be able to relate to. It has to do with a seventh grade girl, Maleeka, who is not comfortable in her skin. She goes through a great deal of time struggling with being comfortable with who she is and at the end, she ultimately becomes comfortable in her skin. It is a very inspirational story that has many deep issues included. It is definitely a book that teenagers would enjoy reading, but it is one that they should talk with an adult about what they are reading.
    • 4/5
      This was a great story that every seventh grade girl should read. It is about low self-esteem, trying to fit in, and just having a really tough time. Maleeka gets picked on because of her very dark skin, and she ends up hooking up with a bad girl, Charlese, for protection. Charlese is a bully trying to forget her own problems by giving others a hard time. Maleeka has got enough problems of her own, like her dad dying two years before, her mom sewing al her clothes, and her boyfriend dumping her. She gets a new teacher, Miss Saunders, who can’t seem to stay out of her business. Miss Saunders is a new teacher with a skin condition that affects her face. She tells her students how she had to learn to love her own skin. Later in the book, you find out how she pushes herself to be perfect and better than everyone else to cover up her own feelings of insecurity. Maleeka writes a diary of a slave girl, and she reflects a lot of her own struggles in her writing. Maleeka is a lovable character who thankfully ends up okay in the end. She learns to love her own skin, in part from the beautiful poetry of her departed father and Caleb, the boy she likes. This is a really nice story.  
    • 5/5
      This book is about a typical teenager who is learning to love herself even if nobody else does. She is a dark girl who gets picked on because of her skin color. But her life begins to change when a teacher who comes in with a scar on her face, which she was born with but she has learn through out life that God gave her this and its not going away so she excepted and move on with her life. So the teacher and student have more in common than they think. She is being bully by everyone, the students tease her and beats her up. Until she learns to finally love herself.This book hits close to home because I went through the exact same thing until i got in the sixth grade. I was teased, picked, at run over by people who I thought were my friends. Until one day my mama got tired of me coming home crying my eyes out so she took me to her room and made me look in the mirror and asked me did I see anything that the people was saying about me and from that day on I have been loving myself. When I started to love and appreciate myself and realize that its not about what he think or she says its all about what I think and say about and to myself. I notice that everyone begin to respect me because they notice that their words was just words to me and that word do not make me. I would use this book in my class because this is going on everyday in the real world bullied about their apperance, style, ect. and we need to put a stop to it because eveyone is different. I really enjoyed this book.
    • 4/5
      Flake creates a heartbreaking and inspirational story about a young girl. This a powerful tale that every young person should read. It deals with heavy topics like, death, poverty, and bullying. But Flake allows for students to grapple with these real parts of our world. We need more books like this.
    • 5/5
      Maleeka is a seventh grade African American girl who has very dark skin, skin so dark she’s teased to no end about. Maleeka’s father dies leaving her family poor therefore, Maleeka’s mom only way of providing clothes for her is to make them herself. The constant teasing and taunting about her skin and the way she dresses causes Maleeka to be ashamed of herself. Desperate and wanting to belong, Maleeka befriends Charlese Jones who’s a bully that most don’t mess with. Charlese provides Maleeka with clothes and protection but pushes her around and makes her do her homework and chores. Miss Sauders a new teacher, who has a skin condition, arrives and Maleeka develops a sense of self pride. Although Maleeka looks up to Miss Sauders, Chalese persuades her to go to the school and set fire to Miss Sauder’s class. Charlese leaves her there to take full responsibility for the fire. Maleeka learns from her mistakes and learns to Love the Skin she’s in!The Skin I'm in can be used in the classroom in a several ways. A lesson an ethnicity maybe having students research different cultural backgrounds, providing a better understanding of the each other while gaining a better understanding of ourselves. Creating a school-wide anti-bullying campaign would be good. A lesson on peer pressure and avoidance methods would be good. The Skin I'm In is a great read, Maleeka is like so many other girls with self-esteem issues. She feels lost and alone in the beginning with the help of Miss Sauders she realizes that she's beautiful person regardless of what others say. I'm so glad she finally became comfortable with the skin she was in!
    • 5/5
      Junior high school student Maleeka Madison is black…to black for some students’ tastes. They tease her mercilessly. She’s teased for her clothes, which her mother makes for her, and her skin color so steadily that she has taken to hanging with the school bully, Charlese. Charlese loans Maleeka clothing as long as Maleeka does her homework and whatever else she wants her to do, all while being extremely rude to her. But, their lives change when a new English teacher enters the picture.This is a great story about self-esteem issues. It would be great for both male and female students to read. For females, it shows how to better view ourselves in terms of confidence. And, for males, it shows that teasing females gets you nowhere and they never know what kind of negative effects their actions are causing. And, I have to add, most of the time boys tease girls, it is because they actually have crushes on the girls but know no other way to be noticed (like John-John). One can always see Maleeka’s story as a cautionary tale. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her, but she let other people change her perception of herself.I really liked the story. It was a quick read to me because I didn’t want to put it down after I got into it. I felt bad for Maleeka because I can relate to how she felt on certain issues. No, my mother never made my school clothes, but I was teased when I was younger for being too dark-skinned. I had to learn to block out what everyone else thought and be more comfortable with myself. I could not stand seeing Char’s name anywhere on the pages because she was that irritating to me. But you have to realize that she was just a product of her environment. She was practically raising herself because all her sister did was party and she had already failed the seventh grade three times. There was nobody to care about her well-being, so I think she took her frustrations out on everyone else and she hated seeing others happy. This was evidenced by her breaking up Daphne and Worm, only to toss Worm aside. I genuinely like Miss Saunders and her ideas; she captured the minds of her students and forced them to work hard and apply themselves. What Char and her minions did to Miss Saunders was completely uncalled for, and I hate Maleeka had to take the fall for them. I do not want to reveal the story, but Maleeka certainly grew up over the course of this novel and she may have even found true love with Caleb! I’d love for there to be a part two to this book!