From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 11:51:54 -0600

I I thought Maleeka, the narrator/protagonist of The Skin I'm In, was a wonderful character and had a great voice. And one of the things I especially appreciate about the book is that Sharon Flake has Maleeka articulate positive qualities about herself to the reader but still struggle with feeling ok about herself, and with the need to fit in: "They [her classmates] don't say nothing about the fact I'm a math whiz and can outdo ninth graders when it comes to figuring numbers. Or that I got a good memory and never forget a single, solitary thing read. They only see what they see, and they don't seem to like what they see much."

I think Maleeka's struggle to feel good about herself even though she could recognize and articulate positive qualities she had is authentic to many teenagers--self-esteem is a very fluid, complex thing that is not necessarily all or nothing. And I think many kids like at least some of what they see in themselves in their minds but struggle with the fact that in the world of school and peers what they like is meaningless, or perhaps even invisible.

I liked seeing this complexity that allows for Maleeka's spark and spirit, but also her uncertainty and sadness.

Megan



Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 608&2?03 schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Fri 12 Mar 1999 11:51:54 AM CST