ESSEL ENG P2 CLASS
Justin

BOOK REPORT
THE SKIN I’M IN

Lianne Dewar
Mrs.

1. Character List aleeka Madison
M

- John-John

-

Charlese Jones / Char

- Momma / Mrs. Madison (Maleeka’s mother)

-

Miss Saunders

- Caleb

2.
Character
My favourite character is Maleeka Madison, who is the main character in the text.
In my opinion, Maleeka is my favourite character in the book because of her personality.
Throughout the story, the reader can obviously see the changes in Maleeka as she grows in the book. She starts off insecure, with very low self-esteem, but in the end, she comes out on top feeling confident in herself, and I really enjoyed seeing that.

3.
Plot
Maleeka is a new student at McClenton Middle School, this school isn’t used to seeing dark skinned people like Maleeka, so they just simply tease her. The two biggest bullies in the school, John-John and Char, constantly tease Maleeka. Upon all this bullying,
Maleeka’s father recently died, and that’s a problem because he was the main money provider. So when he died, Maleeka’s mother had to make clothes for Maleeka instead of buy them, which didn’t help with what was going on at school. makes Maleeka do
Char

things that she doesn't want to do and Miss Saunders, the new homeroom teacher tries to help Maleeka, but she doesn't want any help, she thinks Char can protect her if she does homework for her. Maleeka made a mistake when Char and her “sidekicks” Raina and Rise, forced her to come along with them to ruin Mrs. Saunders’ classroom. Maleeka was attempting to avoid doing any damage to the classroom, but Char eventually forced her to burn the curtains, which then burnt down the entire classroom. However, Maleeka was the only one that got into trouble because she was the only one seen at the scene by a janitor. Mrs. Saunders knows that Maleeka didn’t do it, and when she called Char over to the classroom. Char started threatening Maleeka right away, because she knew that she was going to tell the truth. Maleeka started getting mad and found enough confidence inside her to say, “Call me by my name! I am not ugly. I'm not stupid. I'm
Maleeka Madison, and, yeah, I'm black, real black, and if you don't like me, too bad 'cause
( approval faces)
8/10

black is the skin I’m in! No matter what you think, Charlese Jones, you’re ten times worse.
I would never force someone to burn down a classroom, or pick on kids weaker than me.
You were the one who pushed me to mess up the room!” In the end, Maleeka was suspended from the school and Raina and Rise were never to be seen again. Maleeka was proud of herself that she stood up to Charlese to tell the real truth.

Setting
The story mostly takes place at McClenton Middle School and Maleeka’s house. Most of the story takes place at McClenton Middle School, the place where Maleeka Madison gets questioned on her appearance and burns down Mrs. Saunders’ classroom. Maleeka’s house is the only place where she can be alone and safe, away from Char.

Climax
Maleeka gets herself in big trouble by listening to what Char tells her to. Maleeka has burnt down Miss Saunders's classroom by mistake when Char, Rise, Raina, and herself were tearing down Miss Saunders classroom because Mrs. Saunders’ got Charlese in trouble. Theme
I think the author is trying to teach the reader that even though the people around you think you are strange, you’re only different. For example, Maleeka was dark-skinned, and the light-skinned people at McClenton Middle School wasn’t used to Maleeka’s skin color, so they simply ended up bullying her. I learned that whatever way people will judge me, I should gather the confidence to stand up for myself and tell them what I think about it.

Opinion
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it because it taught me certain lessons, and the characters were very entertaining. It was interesting to see how much Maleeka grows throughout the story, from when she was very insecure about herself, to when she finally gets the courage to stand up for herself and tell Charlese the truth. I was fascinated by the plot of the story and how things and characters changed over time.
( approval faces)
8/10

( approval faces)
8/10