Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Skin I’m In, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Bullying and Insecurity
Self-Esteem, Support, and Friendship
Writing and Self-Expression
The Importance of Role Models
Summary
Analysis
Raina and Raise are suspended, and JuJu sends Charlese to live with her grandparents in Alabama. Maleeka is relieved. And because Maleeka told the truth about Charlese, she doesn’t have to work in the office anymore. One day, Caleb gives Maleeka a poem. It is addressed to “My sweet dark chocolate candy girl” and includes lines like, “Would you be my Almond joy / My chocolate chip, my Hershey Kiss?” Maleeka smiles when she reads it and plans to hang it next to her dad’s poem.
JuJu sends Charlese away, which illustrates that JuJu’s poor role modeling has not only led Charlese not to finish seventh grade, but also that JuJu is completely unfit to take care of her younger sister.Additionally, Caleb’s poem showcases his support and affection for Maleeka, and the value that Maleeka finds in it. Like her dad’s poem, Caleb’s emphasizes that Maleeka’s dark skin is what makes her beautiful to him. That Maleeka plans to frame it next to her father’s poem in her room also confirms how valuable these uplifting messages are for Maleeka.
Themes
Maleeka tells Caleb that the poem is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for her. They smile at each other, and Caleb walks Maleeka to Miss Saunders’s class, which is now being held in the detention room. When Maleeka enters, Miss Saunders welcomes her and says that class wouldn’t be the same unless she was late. Everybody laughs, and John-John says, “welcome back.”
The final exchanges of the book reinforce Maleeka’s journey over the school year. Maleeka has a good role model in Miss Saunders, as she clearly forgives Maleeka and continues to extend kindness to her. John-John also recognizes Maleeka’s support for him, which eases his insecurities and makes it unnecessary for him to bully her. And lastly, Maleeka has gained a newfound confidence, both from peers like Caleb and also from her own acceptance of herself.
Themes
