Summary Of The Skin I M In By Sharon G. Flake

In the book The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake, Maleeka and Miss Saunders learn that you shouldn't change because of others.
Maleeka and Miss Saunders change their appearance and the way they act so people see them differently. Miss Saunders always buys 300 dollar suits “She says she always had to dress better. To get the highest grades and be the most creative.” (Flake, 91). Miss Saunders always had to try and be better than everyone because of the scars she had on her face. “Now you got to have a little attitude when you wear this cut.” (Flake, 40). Maleeka cuts her hair so people will see her differently and so they don't bother her anymore but it doesn't work and they still keep making fun of her. Maleeka and Miss Saunders learn that just by changing your appearance or acting a certain way people won't change their opinions about you or the way they feel.

Maleeka stands up to char for the first time “ Call me by my name! 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! ” (Flake, 129). Char has been making fun of Maleeka because of her skin color and the way she dresses and now Maleeka finally stood up to Char. “ New clothes huh?” he says, trying to be smart. I stop walking and turn to him and ask real smart like, “ Why you always picking on me?” (Flake, 54). Even though John John and maleeka have the same skin color John John has made fun of her since the second grade about being too dark and finally, Maleeka confronts John John and tells him why he’s been making fun of her for so long. Maleeka Learns that if you stand up for yourself people will have more respect for you and won't bother