The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake Comprehension Questions

Miss Saunders is a new teacher at the narrator's school. She is described as tall, fat, with small feet, and a giant white stain spread halfway across her face.

The narrator feels a bad feeling about Miss Saunders and thinks she is somebody to stay clear of. The narrator believes that Miss Saunders is a freak like him and worries that the teasing he faces will be worse for her as a new teacher.

The narrator tries not to stare and doesn't look up when Miss Saunders comes up to him, treating her like an information center.

The narrator feels troubled about attracting strange characters and worries about fitting in at school. He spends a lot of time trying to fit in at McClenton Middle School and is determined not to let anyone, especially no teacher, ruin it for him.

Miss Saunders is a new teacher who confronts Charlese about her disrespectful behavior in school.

They often resort to selling expensive items at low prices.

Tai, another teacher, interrupts Miss Saunders.

They gather to talk and smoke.

Maleeka used to be a good student until she started hanging out with Caleb.

They made fun of her appearance and her clothes.

They made derogatory comments about Miss Saunders.

Clothes to wear.

Caleb is the smartest boy in school who showed interest in Maleeka and caused her to be bullied.

They gather to talk and smoke.

The motivation for teaching at the school.

Charlese makes a rude comment about Miss Saunders' face.

John-John McIntyre

Charlese lending her clothes

By publicly demanding back the clothes she lent Maleeka

To stand up for herself

Charlese and Worm

She disrespects Miss Saunders

Worm tries to calm Charlese down

Her rebellious nature

Miss Saunders

She encounters a new English teacher and a bully

Ridicule for her homemade clothes and tall, skinny appearance

She decides she deserves better treatment and vows to stand up for herself

Char agrees to protect Maleeka from bullies in exchange for Maleeka doing her homework.

Maleeka feels conflicted as Char provides her with expensive clothes but also emotionally abuses her.

Maleeka faces public humiliation in class when asked about the message her face conveys to the world.

Malcolm humorously claims his face shows that he is 'the doctor of love'.

John-John believes his face conveys a message of toughness and demands respect.

Miss Saunders shares her personal experience of facing judgment due to her appearance, which prompts the students to express curiosity and empathy towards her story.

Miss Saunders emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the journey to discovering one's true identity to the students.

The chapter delves into the themes of bullying, self-image, and the search for self-acceptance among the characters.

Maleeka experiences severe bullying during a class trip to Washington, D.C.

Maleeka exchanges doing her homework for Char's protection from bullies.

Miss Saunders, the teacher, challenges the students to express what their faces communicate.

Miss Saunders's openness prompts the students to ask her questions and examine her face.

Miss Saunders encourages self-acceptance and confidence, and shares her own self-perception and background in advertising

Miss Saunders initiates a surprise test to evaluate the students' knowledge and abilities, with no impact on grades

The protagonist goes shopping with Momma after receiving a work bonus, and buys new clothes

Charlese makes a negative comment upon seeing the protagonist's new look

Charlese tries to manipulate the pairing of students for an assignment, but is thwarted by Miss Saunders

Desda, a talented cook, is struggling with reading and is set to receive tutoring from Miss Saunders

Miss Saunders assigns the class to write a diary from the perspective of a teenager in the seventeenth century to foster empathy and imagination

John-John questions the assignment, and Miss Saunders explains its purpose as an exercise in writing and imagination

The protagonist observes Desda's enthusiasm for the assignment but initially remains silent

The chapter provides insight into the protagonist's evolving self-image and dynamics within Miss Saunders's class. It also highlights Miss Saunders's teaching approach and the students' reactions to her assignments

The text offers a glimpse into the protagonist's changing relationships with her peers and her mother's impact on her life

Maleeka has been assigned to work in the school office, filing papers and stapling letters, and she feels negatively about it.

Maleeka overhears Miss Saunders mentioning that she has more potential than she's letting on, and Miss Saunders believes the school needs a better way to keep up with her so she doesn't fall through the cracks.

Maleeka feels that Miss Saunders is a big mouth, bossy person who likes to throw her weight around, and she tries to tell her mother that Miss Saunders doesn't know what she's doing and that she isn't even a real teacher.

Maleeka's punishment includes no television, telephone, or hanging out with friends for three weeks. The principal, Miss Saunders, and her mother came up with the idea for this punishment.

Maleeka initially receives positive attention and encouragement from the women in a beauty supply store. However, she faces negative reactions from her peers at school, leading her to feel self-conscious and ultimately cry in the bathroom.

The unreliable alarm clock in Maleeka's home causes her to be frequently late for school. This affects her punctuality and attendance.

Maleeka struggles with her mother's homemade clothing and tries to avoid hurting her feelings by not expressing her dissatisfaction.

Maleeka's mother is hopeful about their financial future through stock market investments, but their financial situation is unstable due to household repairs and her lottery dreams.

Maleeka recalls advice from her father about self-perception, which prompts her to examine herself in a mirror and regain composure.

Maleeka faces challenges such as negative reactions to her new haircut, punctuality issues due to an unreliable alarm clock, struggles with her mother's homemade clothing, and unstable financial situations.

Maleeka initially receives positive attention for her new haircut, but faces negative reactions at school, leading her to feel self-conscious and ultimately cry. However, recalling her father's advice helps her regain composure.

Maleeka's mother's hopes for financial stability through stock market investments are contrasted with the unstable financial situation they face due to household repairs and her lottery dreams, impacting their family life.

Maleeka initially receives positive attention and encouragement from the women in a beauty supply store, but faces negative reactions from her peers at school, leading to self-consciousness and emotional distress.

Maleeka recalls advice from her father about self-perception, which prompts her to examine herself in a mirror and regain composure, influencing her emotional state.

The unreliable alarm clock in Maleeka's home causes her to be frequently late for school, impacting her daily routine and punctuality.

Maleeka struggles with her mother's homemade clothing and tries to avoid hurting her feelings by not expressing her dissatisfaction, affecting her emotional state and family dynamics.

The setting of the story is McClenton Middle School.

The narrator faces social and food-related challenges.

Charlese is the narrator's friend who has a confrontation with the lunch ladies at school over the quality of the food.

The story highlights themes of resilience, friendship, and the sometimes difficult realities of school life.

She is resilient and always looking for ways to make money.

She is resilient and always looking for ways to make money.

The story provides insight into the dynamics of friendship and the struggles of growing up in a challenging environment.

The narrator tries to help Charlese get a replacement for her tampered food.

The narrator goes to sit with another friend, Desda.

The narrator's mother uses a lot of salad oil, which can be messy.

The text is written in the first person, from the perspective of the narrator, a middle school student.

The narrator's mother is perceived as eccentric by others, but she is actually very intelligent and good with numbers.

Maleeka's motivation for cutting her hair short was to change how people perceive her and to gain acceptance and approval from others.

Maleeka's friend, Sweets, helped her find a hairdresser named Ronnie. Ronnie agreed to cut Maleeka's hair in exchange for work and a note from her mother.

Maleeka was pleased with her new hairstyle. Ronnie emphasized the importance of attitude and confidence in wearing the new hairstyle.

Maleeka's transformation symbolized her desire for acceptance and a new identity.

Maleeka's decision to change her appearance reflects her struggle for self-acceptance and societal approval.

Maleeka's new look boosted her confidence as it was praised by other hairdressers and customers at the salon.

Maleeka's transformation highlights the impact of self-image and societal beauty standards on young girls.

Ronnie was the hairdresser who used a texturizer on Maleeka's hair to create tiny curls and gave her a short, stylish cut.

Maleeka's father's death and teasing from other kids about her skin color were the reasons for her self-consciousness about her appearance.

Sweets helped Maleeka find a hairdresser, Ronnie, and arranged for the haircut in exchange for work and a note from her mother.

Maleeka kept her true motivation for the haircut a secret from Sweets and her mother.

Maleeka sought to gain acceptance and approval from others through her new look.

Maleeka overhears teachers complaining about Miss Saunders' methods and the program she is implementing.

Mr. Mac catches Maleeka eavesdropping and reprimands her for not focusing on her work.

Sweets comes over to Maleeka's house and hogs the phone, talking to a boy named Larry.

Maleeka describes the girls at the prestigious school as different from her, with long, straight hair and lighter skin, and she feels out of place and uncomfortable around them.

Sweets reassures Maleeka that skin color doesn't matter and that it's about how one feels about themselves.

Maleeka's mother only allows her to be off restriction at home because she has started a new job, but Maleeka is relieved to have some freedom.

Mr. Pajolli tries to reassure Maleeka and encourages her to work hard, but she is determined to find a way to quit her job.

Maleeka is reluctant to work in the office at school, and plans to find out more about Miss Saunders.

Maleeka tries to get information about Miss Saunders from the secretary, Miss Carol, but is shut down.

Maleeka's mother appreciates Miss Saunders' concern for Maleeka's well-being and wonders why someone with Miss Saunders' wealth and a good job would come to McClenton.

Maleeka reluctantly agrees to work in the office and plans to find out more about Miss Saunders.

Maleeka is caught eavesdropping by Mr. Mac and is reprimanded for not focusing on her work.

Charlese uses punishment and rewards to control Maleeka, dictating her actions and appearance. She withholds clothes as punishment for not doing her homework and expects compliance with her demands through coercion.

The book 'Life of a Slave Girl' evokes emotional and thought-provoking responses from Maleeka. It leads her to consider skipping class to continue reading, showcasing the profound impact of literature on her decision-making.

Maleeka grapples with the decision to skip class to read the book she finds compelling, highlighting her desire for intellectual stimulation. However, her sense of duty and responsibility compel her to consider attending class, showcasing her internal conflict.

Maleeka demonstrates resilience by persevering through challenges such as her clothing situation and her internal struggle about attending class. Her determination to navigate difficult circumstances reflects her strength and resilience.

Maleeka feels ashamed of her association with Akeelma, a girl who writes disturbing letters, and John-John bullies Maleeka about her new clothes and accuses her of thinking she's better than him.

Maleeka confronts John-John about his hatred towards her, which he denies, and claims that Maleeka thought she was better than him ever since she refused to sit next to him in second grade.

Maleeka reveals her struggles, including failing classes and borrowing clothes to fit in.

John-John mocks her situation and implies that Caleb won't want anything to do with her now.

Maleeka realizes that John-John is jealous of her, but she doesn't understand why.

Miss Saunders arrives late, shares irrelevant personal details, fails to notice the writing on the blackboard, and starts the class without preparation.

Maleeka and other students pretend to have read the assigned material to avoid embarrassment.

Maleeka feels misunderstood and struggles to navigate the challenges of school and social dynamics.

Charlese

engaging and effective in her teaching style

Tai

a narrative

the characters' interactions and the dynamics within the school environment

a book depicting a day in the life of Maleeka, a student dealing with academic and personal challenges

chores

her sister Juju

the status quo

Desda and Charlese

excessive homework and reading

Mr. Pajolli confronting her about overdue library and math books

Miss Saunders erasing a drawing of a woman's face on the blackboard titled 'THE TEACHER WITH TWO FACES'

The topic of self-love

Jerimey

John-John and Jerimey

Her mother's struggle with grief after her father's death

The topic of love and sacrifice

Personal experiences and opinions brought into the conversation

Miss Saunders

The students' personal conflicts

Desda's story about her mother's grief

The varying attitudes towards love, sacrifice, and self-worth

The complexity of personal experiences and perspectives on love and self-worth

They have lived off his Social Security and savings.

Her behavior at school and her friendship with Char.

She finds it boring and wants to have fun.

Miss Saunders, her teacher.

Her desire to teach and her decision to leave the business world.

Most resent her, except for Tai who seems to be the only one who likes her.

Tension, with suspicions about her motives and her relationship with the principal.

Her future plans and whether she will miss the money from her previous career.

She affirms her commitment to teaching and expresses that she won't miss the material aspects of her previous job.

Some speculate about her intentions and her relationship with the principal.

Tai.

Her previous career and her decision to transition to teaching.

Char asks the protagonist if she is going to be a slave or her own master. The protagonist wants to respond that if she was her own master, she wouldn't ever speak to Char again, but instead, she just tells Char she'll see her later.

Char yanks Worm's arm off of her as if he's got body odor. This reveals that Char is "sometimey" and has a fickle behavior.

The protagonist puts all the stuff about Akeelma, Miss Saunders, and the office out of her head when she enters the bathroom. The atmosphere in the bathroom is described as party time, and Char likes to say it's more fun than stapling papers in the school office.

The protagonist finds herself reading one of Akeelma's letters in the bathroom. When Char asks what she's up to, the protagonist does not respond in the text.

Miss Saunders wears a blue suit with gold buttons and is praised by Maleeka for her writing

Miss Saunders asks Maleeka if she told anyone about their conversation with Tai

Miss Saunders doesn't have personal pictures on her desk

Maleeka enters a writing contest at the library and rewrites Akeelma's story for the contest

Maleeka's mother praises her writing skills and suggests a poem may be in a box in her closet

The text captures the oppressive and unjust treatment Maleeka experiences both from her peers and authority figures at school, shedding light on the challenges of bullying, unfair treatment, and the desire for freedom and sunlight.

The setting of the detention room and Akeelma's longing for the sun symbolize the oppressive and unjust environment Maleeka is in, painting a vivid picture of the toxic social dynamics and the oppressive environment within the school.

The text paints a vivid picture of the toxic social dynamics and the oppressive environment within the school, capturing the oppressive and unjust treatment Maleeka experiences both from her peers and authority figures at school.

Caleb, a former class president, entering the detention room and sitting near Maleeka, despite her hoping he would sit elsewhere, highlights the dynamics and interactions within the school environment.

Akeelma's diary entry reveals her longing for the sun while she is in a detention room next to the boiler room, describing the detention room as damp, cramped, and hot, capturing Maleeka's emotions and the physical environment she is in.

Miss Saunders singles out Maleeka for a lecture about choosing her friends better and being a good student, suggesting a biased or unfair treatment of Maleeka by the school's authority figures.

The narrative sheds light on the challenges of bullying, unfair treatment, and the desire for freedom and sunlight, providing insight into the difficulties Maleeka encounters at school.

Maleeka being bullied by her classmates, Char, Raina, and Raise, who mock her appearance and treat her poorly, highlights the toxic social dynamics and oppressive environment within the school.

The text captures the oppressive and unjust treatment Maleeka experiences both from her peers and authority figures at school, painting a vivid picture of the toxic social dynamics and the oppressive environment within the school.

The text highlights themes of bullying, unfair treatment, oppressive social dynamics, and the desire for freedom and sunlight through Maleeka's experiences.

The narrative sheds light on the challenges of bullying, unfair treatment, and the desire for freedom and sunlight, capturing the dynamics and impact of bullying and unfair treatment in the school environment.

The text paints a vivid picture of the toxic social dynamics and the oppressive environment within the school, shedding light on the challenges of bullying, unfair treatment, and the desire for freedom and sunlight.

The story explores issues of forgiveness and complicated relationships.

Caleb is involved in community service and volunteering activities.

Miss Birdy separates Maleeka and Caleb in detention.

The text is written from Maleeka's perspective.

Maleeka arrives late to meet Miss Saunders in the auditorium.

Maleeka overhears Miss Saunders and another student discussing a school play.

The text is from Chapter 20 of the book.

Caleb claims to have cleaned the boys' bathroom.

Maleeka feels conflicted about forgiving Caleb for not defending her against racial teasing.

Maleeka is attracted to Caleb but struggles with forgiving him.

Miss Saunders asks Maleeka to stay after school to discuss her diary.

Maleeka feels agitated and uncomfortable in the auditorium at the school.

Miss Saunders insists on maintaining standards and believes the students will thank her later.

Tai encourages Miss Saunders to not discourage students by failing them and to help them improve their test-taking abilities.

Miss Saunders acknowledges the challenges she faces due to personal appearance and the pressure she puts on herself to excel.

Tai remains calm and advises Maleeka on the importance of respecting others' privacy.

Miss Saunders indicates a pattern of making students stay late for her by asking Maleeka to stay after school.

Maleeka refrains from sharing what she overheard with her friend Char, who is struggling in Miss Saunders' class.

Tai advises Miss Saunders to not let the need for perfection ruin her, emphasizing her value as a teacher.

Tai expresses admiration for Miss Saunders' methods to keep students engaged.

Miss Saunders expresses frustration about the lack of help in moving items for her class and thanks Tai for assistance.

Tai and Miss Saunders discuss the discrepancy between students' enthusiasm and poor test-taking skills.

Miss Saunders gets upset when she catches Maleeka eavesdropping on their conversation.

Maleeka refrains from sharing what she overheard with her friend Char, who is struggling in Miss Saunders' class.

Maleeka is trying to escape from the building as the janitor calls out her name. As she tries to run, she falls down and busts open her knee.

The protagonist is described as having shaky hands and feeling scared as she struggles to unlock her door. The environment is tense, with barking dogs and the protagonist's knee still bleeding.

Miss Jackson shushes her barking dogs when she notices the protagonist outside her window. The protagonist reacts by keeping real still.

The protagonist feels scared and anxious as she tries to find the key to unlock her door. She experiences fear from the barking dogs and is still bleeding from her knee.

Her mom finding out about setting fire to a classroom.

Miss Jackson.

Severe punishment for the protagonist.

Understand her worth and come up with $2000 to pay for the damages.

Charlese.

Completing seventh grade.

Torn between loyalty to her friend and the consequences of her actions, leading to internal conflict.

Char asks for the protagonist's silence in exchange for better clothes, and the protagonist wants to ask for help paying back the money but doesn't.

The protagonist's internal struggle and the lack of help from others highlight the challenges she faces.

The protagonist's actions demonstrate courage and a sense of justice in protecting John-John.

The protagonist encounters John-John, who taunts her about her trouble at school.

The protagonist intervenes, fighting off the boys to protect John-John.

Despite feeling overwhelmed, the protagonist grabs a switch and fights back until the boys run away.

The protagonist feels abandoned by the police.

The intervention of some adults ultimately saves the protagonist.

The incident leaves the protagonist shaken and scared.

The protagonist rips out an optimistic entry from her diary.

The protagonist promises not to tell about Char losing a large sum of money.

The protagonist feels pressured by the situation involving Char's request and the money loss.

Maleeka admits to Miss Saunders that she did it for money and feels harassed when pressed for more details.

Miss Saunders and Char confront Maleeka, with Char pressuring her not to reveal the truth.

Char threatens Maleeka, making her feel trapped and scared.

Miss Saunders remains calm and supportive, urging Maleeka to speak her mind. Char is sent to live with her grandparents.

Maleeka feels conflicted about Mr. Pajolli ending her office job. Caleb gives Maleeka a letter with a poem expressing affection and admiration for her.

Maleeka struggles with the decision of whether to tell on Char, who has threatened her, or keep quiet. She ultimately decides to tell on her for the incident involving the fire.

Char offers her money to stay silent, but Maleeka ultimately decides to tell on her for the incident involving the fire.

Char retaliates by revealing that she framed Maleeka for theft, causing Maleeka to fear expulsion and isolation.

Miss Saunders arrives at Maleeka's house, accusing her of theft, and Maleeka's mother intervenes, inviting Miss Saunders inside.

Maleeka feels guilt and anxiety about the situation when her mother tries to protect her from Miss Saunders.

The text captures the complexities of Maleeka's life, including her struggles with self-worth, difficult choices, and the impact of her peers' actions on her future.

Maleeka encounters a group of people, including Caleb and his mother, who come to aid John-John after he was beaten up. Maleeka feels grateful for Caleb's help and for being able to assist John-John despite his previous taunts about her skin color.

Maleeka receives a congratulatory letter from the library for winning a writing contest, causing her and her mother to tear up, missing her absent father. They frame the letter and hang it in her room, next to her father's poem.

The chapter captures the complexities of Maleeka's life, including her struggles with self-worth, difficult choices, and the impact of her peers' actions on her future.

Maleeka ultimately decides to tell on Char for the incident involving the fire, despite Char's offer of money to stay silent.

The chapter ends with a sense of apprehension as Miss Saunders confronts Maleeka, and her mother tries to shield her from the situation, leaving the reader with a feeling of tension and uncertainty.

Maleeka ultimately feels a sense of guilt and anxiety about her decision to tell on Char, knowing that it could lead to expulsion and isolation.