Growing up, Maleeka’s dad encouraged her love of reading. He also left her a plastic hand mirror and told her that she had to see herself through her own eyes to know who she truly was.

Main characters Maleeka Madison – A poor African-American girl who feels she is unpopular at her middle school because of her dark skin color and teenage clothes. Maleeka learns to come to terms with the skin she is in.

Caleb and Maleeka sat together. What does Maleeka describe herself as? “The tallest, skinniest thing you’ve ever seen.”

Maleeka is the 13-year-old protagonist and narrator of The Skin I’m In. During her time at McClenton Middle School, other students like John-John and Charlese frequently bully Maleeka over her dark skin and the ill-fitting clothes that her mom makes for her.

Maleeka does Char’s homework in return for hanging around with Char. Char lends Maleeka stylish clothes, since she doesn’t want anyone around her who doesn’t look nice. However, Char is rude and cruel to Maleeka.

Sweets is Maleeka’s best friend. The girls did everything together until the year prior to the novel’s events, when Sweets started attending a better school across town.

What did Maleeka write about? She wrote this girl name Akleema on a slave boat that she was hungry and thirsty. What goes on at Char’s house? It was a party there and she have to clean the mess.

How does Maleeka describe John-John? “A very small seventh grader.” What is the deal Maleeka and Charlese share? Maleeka completes all of Char’s homework, and Char in exchange gives her protection and clothes.

At the end of the novel, Caleb writes a poem for Maleeka asking her to be his “Almond Joy” and comparing her to other candies, which she calls “the nicest thing anybody ever did for [her].” Maleeka vows to frame the poem on her wall, underscoring how valuable Caleb’s support is to her and how it boosts her self-esteem.

Why did Maleeka get in a fight with Daphne? Because Daphne thought Maleeka was kissing her boyfriend but it was Charlese.

Why does Maleeka’s mother sew clothing for Maleeka? It is her mother’s way of coping for the loss of her husband. She doesn’t want to spend the money on new clothes. Maleeka asked her to make new clothes for her.

“Maleeka, your skin is pretty. Like a blue-black sky after it’s rained and rained,” she says. Then she smiles and explains how that line comes from a favorite poem of hers. Next thing I know, she’s heading down the hall again like nothing much happened.

Caleb:Caleb in previous years was in love with Maleeka but when he ditched her when she was picked on and ever since then he has tried to win her back.

She also sets a good example for Maleeka in how she handles Charlese, refusing to be bullied or manipulated. Miss Saunders also encourages Maleeka’s writing talent, which helps Maleeka feel more confident in her ability.

Akeelma is a fictional character in Maleeka ’s writing assignment for English class. Akeelma (whose name is close to Maleeka’s name backwards) is a 13-year-old girl on a slave ship headed for the United States… read analysis of Akeelma JuJu is Charlese ’s 25-year-old sister.