Sales Presentation
Synopsis
Seventh
grader Maleeka Madison is picked on by the other students
in her middle school for being the “darkest and worst dressed” student at
school. In an effort to find some protection she latches on to Charlese,
who is the leader of the pack. This does not prove to be a better situation as Charlese
still bullies Maleeka.
Maleeka is happy about her new teacher Miss Saunders because her skin is blotched from a rare skin condition and she thinks this will take some of the pressure off of her since someone else seems to be worse off than she is. As she watches Miss Saunders refuse to accept the taunts of children, Maleeka begins to explore her response mechanisms to the cruelty of her peers.
In rethinking how she defends herself, Maleeka learns that she too often judges people by their appearances. Through all this Miss Saunders coaches Maleeka to accept who she is externally and internally. Maleeka overcomes the bullying and most importantly embraces her identity as a intelligent African American student.
Maleeka is happy about her new teacher Miss Saunders because her skin is blotched from a rare skin condition and she thinks this will take some of the pressure off of her since someone else seems to be worse off than she is. As she watches Miss Saunders refuse to accept the taunts of children, Maleeka begins to explore her response mechanisms to the cruelty of her peers.
In rethinking how she defends herself, Maleeka learns that she too often judges people by their appearances. Through all this Miss Saunders coaches Maleeka to accept who she is externally and internally. Maleeka overcomes the bullying and most importantly embraces her identity as a intelligent African American student.
Awards
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent Publishers Weekly Author to Watch
New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
Texas Lone Star Reading List •Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
YWCA Racial Justice Award
Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
New York Public Library Top Ten Book for the Teen Age YALSA Best Books for Young Adult Readers
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
Texas Lone Star Reading List •Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
YWCA Racial Justice Award
Detroit Free Library Author of the Year Award
The Novel Every Classroom Needs
- Students enjoy reading something that they can relate to.
- Encourages writing to the highest degree.
- Journal and reflect on individual growth as a student but more importantly a person.
- Builds confidence and self-esteem.
- Showcases many elements that our middle school students encounter on a daily basis.
- Real issues
- Strong characters with powerful dialogue
- Will grab the attention of reluctant readers and force them to become active readers.
Themes
- Self-esteem and Identity
- Our Self-perceptions and Others' Perceptions
of Us
- The Relationship Between External Features
(e.g., hair, clothing) and Self-image
- Surviving and Coping in a Hostile Environment
- Peer Pressure and Coercion
- Responding to Bullying
- Standing up for Oneself
Classroom Applications
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Health
Other
- Journal entries much like those Maleeka writes as Akeelma
- Poetry and Song Lyric project
- A creative writing contest
- Extended metaphor with the use of Akeelma’s journal
Social Studies
- Legal implications Char and Maleeka face
- Slave Trade
- Civil Rights and Discrimination
Math
- The stock market
- Graphs, profits, prices
Science
- Fire
- Skin pigmentation and melatonin
Health
- The effects of smoking and second-hand smoke on the body
Other
- Anti-Bullying Campaign
- Positive Self-Esteem Campaign
- Home economics: sewing
