Inspirational Book One book that has changed my outlook on life is The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake. It’s a story of a seventh grader named Maleeka Madison who is bullied because she is tall, skinny, and dark skinned. To make her life easier, Maleeka befriends the toughest girl in school. Then life for Maleeka just gets harder until she learns to stand up for herself and love the skin she’s in. This book is very inspiring to youth all over the world. This book has changed my perspective on life in three ways. First, it has taught me to love and appreciate myself; second, it has given me an understanding of why bullies treat people the way they do, and, lastly, it has taught me to believe in myself and what I can accomplish. As Sharon Flakes said in this novel, “Gotta realize that all you are is all you got.” (Flake 23) Maleeka use to be proud of her skin until her father died and kids started picking on her. Maleeka wanted so bad to be light skinned so that people wouldn’t tease her. In the end she realized that regardless of whom she is, she will have some type of flaw and not all of them can be seen by the eye. Sharon Flake also quoted “To look in the mirror and like what you see even if it's not your idea of beauty”. (Flake 33) I can relate to Maleeka because I have always had bad skin and struggles with acne. Now I have learned to accept my flaws because I know it’s something that I can’t change. Because Maleeka’s family was poor, her mother had to sew their clothes, which was nowhere near appealing to the average teenager. I popular girl named Charlese agreed to be Maleeka’s friend and give her clothes if Maleeka does Char’s homework. Maleeka is bullied many times by Char just because Maleeka wants Char’s clothes so that she could stand out in the crowd. This situation helped me to realize why bullies act the way they do. Kids bully other kids thinking it makes them look cool; people really others because they are lacking attention and think being mean to other ids is funny and cool. It takes the pain away and allows them to put a most over the reality that they are dealing with at home. I now see bullying in a new light and with more understanding through contemplating Maleeka and Char’s relationship.
Maleeka was a very intelligent girl, but she started doing poorly in school because she was teased for being smart. Mrs. Saunders, Maleeka’s teacher, found out why Maleeka’s grades where declining and intervened by giving positive advice. Mrs. Saunders told Maleeka that she first has to believe in herself before anybody else will. I still take those words with me today because it’s factual. If someone sees that I’m am serious about something, then they will take me more seriously.
In conclusion, this book was such an inspiring novel; everyone can connect with it in some way. Maleeka has inspired me to accept myself as I am, and to go for what’s in my heart and not what others try to make me to be. After reading this book, I now believe in myself and what I can accomplish.

Works Cited

Flake, Sharon. The Skin I'm in. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion for Children, 1998. Print