So finally I started reading the book "The Skin I'm In". I am really excited to read it since I am very interested in the tensions between ethnic minorities and the society. First of all I informed myself about the author Sharon G. Flake.
When I opened the book and looked at the first chapter I saw how big the letters are. But I think that this is a good thing. This might motivate students to read it because it doesn't take a big effort to read it. I also realized that the sentences are really short. They are not too difficult.
The story is written out of the point of view of the 13 year old girl. Also the language of the book is the language of the teenage girl. The first chapter begins with the arrival of the new teacher Miss Saunders. It is about a seventh grade.
"Maleeka, your skin is pretty. Like a blue sky after it's rained and rained."
We immediately learn that there are some conflicts in the class. Other students like John-John, for example, don't share Miss Saunder's opinion about Maleeka's skin. The funny thing is that John-John is black himself but he is teasing her about being too black. But her skin is not the only reason why her classmates tease her. It's also about her clothes, which are handmade by her Mom. Maleeka is a math whiz and has a very good memory but people only care about her skin color.
The book reminds me very much of the book "A Raisin In The Sun" by Lorrain Hansberry, which I read in class 12. It is also about a black family, who have a lot of economic problems. At the beginning of the book the reader learns that the language used in this book is different from what we learn in school. The differences are shown and explained. Which is not the case in "The Skin I'm In". Students should know that this language is not correct.
When I opened the book and looked at the first chapter I saw how big the letters are. But I think that this is a good thing. This might motivate students to read it because it doesn't take a big effort to read it. I also realized that the sentences are really short. They are not too difficult."Maleeka, your skin is pretty. Like a blue sky after it's rained and rained."
We immediately learn that there are some conflicts in the class. Other students like John-John, for example, don't share Miss Saunder's opinion about Maleeka's skin. The funny thing is that John-John is black himself but he is teasing her about being too black. But her skin is not the only reason why her classmates tease her. It's also about her clothes, which are handmade by her Mom. Maleeka is a math whiz and has a very good memory but people only care about her skin color.
The book reminds me very much of the book "A Raisin In The Sun" by Lorrain Hansberry, which I read in class 12. It is also about a black family, who have a lot of economic problems. At the beginning of the book the reader learns that the language used in this book is different from what we learn in school. The differences are shown and explained. Which is not the case in "The Skin I'm In". Students should know that this language is not correct.
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