#Sharon G Flake

[books-to-add-to-your-tbr]

Title: Fresh Ink

Author: Lamar Giles, Nicola Yoon, Malinda Lo, Melissa de la Cruz, Sara Farizan, Eric Gansworth, Walter Dean Myers, Daniel José Older, Thien Pham, Jason Reynolds, Gene Luen Yang, Sharon G. Flake, Schuyler Bailar, Aminah Mae Safi

Series or standalone: standalone

Publication year: 2018

Genres: fiction, anthology, contemporary, LGBT+, fantasy, romance

Blurb: Careful, you are holding fresh ink - and not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written, whose next chapters are up to you, because these stories are meant to be read and shared.

[covergirlnay]

What are they reading this summer? ☀️📚🤓👀

How will they know that these books are available for them to read if they are BARELY promoted at stores and at school?

[escapeintothepages]

“Remember the acorn. Even when you don't see it growing, it's pushing past the dirt. Reaching for the sun. Growing stronger.”

The Skin I'm In, Sharon G. Flake

[ireadyabooks]

Share Black Stories 2023!

Celebrate Black History Month this February with these incredible books by Black authors centering Black characters! 

The Witchery by S. Isabelle 

The Haunting Season is here and the Wolves are awake. When students start turning up dead, four young witches realize they’ll have to harness their powers and stop the Wolves themselves. The cost to break the curse may be greater than any witch or human could ever know... Start reading! 

The Getaway by Lamar Giles

Masterfully breaking down themes of climate change, race in America, privilege, and capitalism, The Getaway is an unputdownable thriller, perfect for fans of Jordan Peele’s Us and The Twilight Zone! Jay is living his best life at Karloff Country, one of the world’s most famous resorts. Then, the richest and most powerful families start arriving, only... they aren’t leaving. In order to deliver the top-notch customer service the wealthy clientele paid for, the employees will be at their beck and call. Whether they like it, or not... Start reading! 

Monarch Rising by Harper Glenn 

Monarch Rising is an unflinching meditation on whether love can save us from ourselves, and what it takes to be born anew. Set in a chilling near-future New United States of America, Jo Monarch has grown up in the impoverished borderlands of New Georgia. She’s given one chance to change her fate... if she can survive a boy trained to break hearts. Start reading! 

Things We Couldn’t Say by Jay Coles 

In Things We Couldn’t Say, just as Gio is owning his bisexual identity, he must also face the return of the mother who abandoned his preacher family when he was nine. He’ll soon find that there are no easy answers to love — whether it’s family love, friend love, or romantic love. Start reading! 

A Girl’s Guide to Love & Magic by Debbie Rigaud 

Perfect for fans of The Sun is Also a Star and Blackout, A Girl’s Guide to Love & Magic is a celebration of Haitian and Caribbean culture, all set against the backdrop of the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn. A story of first love, vodou, and finding yourself, bestselling author Debbie Rigaud infuses this novel with sparkling wit and romance. Start reading! 

Muted by Tami Charles 

Muted by Tami Charles is a ripped-from-the-headlines novel of ambition, music, and innocence lost. When Denver sings her way into stardom, the painful sacrifices and lies she has to tell are all worth it... until they’re not. Denver begins to realize that she’s trapped in this world, struggling to hold on to her own voice. As the dream turns into a nightmare, she must make a choice: lose her big break, or get broken. Start reading! 

The Life I’m In by Sharon G. Flake

The Life I’m In by Sharon G. Flake is the powerful and long-anticipated companion to The Skin I’m In. It presents the unflinching story of Char, a young woman trapped in the underworld of human trafficking. Flake offers readers another timely and radical story of a girl on the brink and how her choices will lead her to either fall, or fly. Start reading! 

[tallprettyaries]

Me and them Sharon G. Flake books go together real bad.

Nobody understands the bond between a girl and the mediocre book she read when she was 13 years old.

[psychosodomy]

currently reading sharon g flake books. its so apparent how shes an educator writing this as a love letter to the children who also teach her about life. That’s the best way to be a kids’ lit author, especially writing for black kids, about black protagonists.

[winningthesweepstakes]

You Make Me Sneeze & You Are Not a Cat by Sharon G. Flake,  illustrated by Anna Raff

You Make Me Sneeze by Sharon G. Flake,  illustrated by Anna Raff. Astra Young Readers, 2024. 9781662620195 (hardcover) You Are NOT a Cat by Sharon G. Flake,  illustrated by Anna Raff. Astra Young Readers, 2016. 9781662620584 (paperback) Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4 Format: Picture book/reader What did you like about the book?  Two best friends, an excitable duck and a…

[kingsbridgelibraryteens]

Just in time for Women’s History Month, you’ll find plenty of strong female protagonists (and those who find hidden strengths) in our latest display!

STRONGER THAN SHE LOOKS includes:

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Who am I Without Him? by Sharon G. Flake

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

[2021ya]

THE LIFE I’M IN

​by Sharon G. Flake

(Scholastic Press, 1/5/21)

9781338573176

Add to Goodreads

Purchase from Bookshop

The powerful and long-anticipated companion to The Skin I'm In, Sharon Flake's bestselling modern classic, presents the unflinching story of Char, a young woman trapped in the underworld of human trafficking. My feet are heavy as stones when I walk up the block wondering why I can't find my old self. In The Skin I'm In, readers saw into the life of Maleeka Madison, a teen who suffered from the ridicule she received because of her dark skin color. For decades fans have wanted to know the fate of the bully who made Maleeka's life miserable, Char. Now in Sharon Flake's latest and unflinching novel, The Life I'm In, we follow Charlese Jones, who, with her raw, blistering voice speaks the truths many girls face, offering insight to some of the causes and conditions that make a bully. Turned out of the only home she has known, Char boards a bus to nowhere where she is lured into the dangerous web of human trafficking. Much is revealed behind the complex system of men who take advantage of vulnerable teens in the underbelly of society. While Char might be frightened, she remains strong and determined to bring herself and her fellow victims out of the dark and back into the light, reminding us why compassion is a powerful cure to the ills of the world. Sharon Flake's bestselling, Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel The Skin I'm In was a game changer when it was first published more than twenty years ago. It redefined young adult literature by presenting characters, voices, and real-world experiences that had not been fully seen. Now Flake offers readers another timely and radical story of a girl on the brink and how her choices will lead her to either fall, or fly.

[covergirlnay]

My favorites from 2021

1. Favorite picture book- Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

2. Favorite YA novel- The Life I’m In & Concrete Rose

3. Favorite nonfiction- We want to do more than survive

4. Favorite movie- Mortal Kombat

5. Favorite album- J. Cole The Off season and Sevyn Streeter- Drunken words sober thoughts

6. Something new that I learned- “There is a difference between being assertive and being defensive.”

7. Something that I did a lot this year: Listen to podcasts.

8. Self taught- Basic photography skills. Learning how to use my new lenses.

[escapeintothepages]

“Gotta realize that all you are is all you got.”

The Skin I'm In, Sharon G. Flake

[blackgirlslit]

Helloooo! I’ve been following blackgirlslits for awhile now and I was wondering if you guys could help me with something. As a Black Woman, I’ve often found myself struggling to really embrace and fall in love with my blackness. I have dark skin and internalized a lot of the bullying that came with it. What are some good books that came help me combat this? Any and all suggestions are welcome! Thank you guys!

Hey Anon! Thanks for the question! And sorry for the VERY late response. I wanted to do a bit more research into this and get suggestions from others before replying so I hope you see this! (Please let me know if you do!)

I actually know exactly how you feel! I too have struggled myself to love and accept my blackness and my dark skin and it is especially difficult when the media seems to be showing propaganda to the world that would suggest otherwise. 

VERONIKA’S SUGGESTIONS:

(The books that came to mind for me in response to this)

✨The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake (My grandmother gave me a copy of this to read when I was growing up and I remember loving it so much! It’s more of a middle-grade/YA read but I think the message to love the skin you are in can be read at any age. I think if I had to pick one, this would be one of my favorite books, and I am definitely in need of a reread of this soon! The 20th anniversary edition of this was just published not too long ago too!)

✨ For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange (I’ve only seen the film adaptation for this play but I believe this is an excellent story of the strength and resiliency of the black woman, those of any shade, age, or circumstance.) 

✨The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips (This one is a bit on the sadder side; haven’t read it but I think this may be a cautionary tale to say the least.)

✨The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (I don’t think this list would be complete without this book or any Toni Morrison book period).

✨Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams (This is a relatively new middle-grade release but I have heard nothing but good things about it and the synopsis for this alone sounds exactly like the book you are looking for!)

VICTORIA’S SUGGESTIONS:

(Victoria thought these would make great reads)

✨ The Color Purple by Alice Walker (A classic! The main character struggles and suffers a lot but still finds her way to a happy ending.)

✨Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (This was a popular suggestion!)

✨Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat (A collection of short stories.)

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

(I posed this question to our Instagram followers and these are the responses to your question that I received; I hope you don’t mind that I shared your question with them)

 ✨Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves edited by Glory Edim (This is actually another suggestion of mine. I’m currently reading this and I highly recommend it! It tells of the experiences of several already acclaimed and some up-and-coming black women writer’s experiences as they first encountered themselves in literature. This book will also give you even more suggestions for books by black authors to read!)

✨The Black Woman: An Anthology edited by Toni Cade Bambara (Another suggestion by me. I first heard about this book when Victoria posted a photo of her hauling it a while back. I think this will lead to some revelations about life, society, and living as a darker skinned black woman as well.)

✨Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts edited by Ayana Byrd (This is a collection of essays with contributions by some famous African-American woman exploring their relation to their bodies.)

✨ 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter (This is high up on my tbr list! I heard this is a cute “chick-lit” type tale and that it reminds people of 13 Going on 30! The person who suggested this said this is such a great book that is perfect for addressing the issues posed in your question.)

✨ The Blacker The Berry by Wallace Thurman (I think this is the only book on this list by a black man but the person who suggested this said this stays true to emotions of internalized self-doubt, self-hatred, and that it delves deep by exploring the prejudice behind skin color in the Black community as a whole.)

✨I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (Again this list would not be complete without the late and great Angelou. She has written a ton of amazing memoirs.)

✨Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (Not a huge fan of her tv shows lol but maybe her book is good.)

✨God Help the Child by Toni Morrison (Another book written by the queen of black literature.)

✨What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey (Not gonna lie, didn’t know that she wrote a book lol (a few books in fact)…adding this to my tbr now!)

✨In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want by Iyanla Vanzant (If this book is a intense, deep, and emotional as her tv show is then this book has to be good lol!)

I would also recommend Becoming by Michelle Obama (who wouldn’t recommend the memoir published by our forever first black first lady?) and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adayemi and Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (both are the first book in a sci-fi/fantasy series that features a bad-ass dark skinned black girl who comes into her own in bravery and prevailing despite her differences from others; they also are the unexpected faces/leaders of a rebellion).

Again my sincerest apologies for the delay in my responding to your question but I hope this helped 💖!

- Veronika 

🌻

[blacknerdproblems]

While I cannot recall exactly what age, I know I was in my middle school years when I first read The Skin I’m In. I remember being dissatisfied with the required books for my English class and found a copy of Sharon G. Flake’s book in my library. My memory is fuzzy on all the events that happen in the book, but I do mostly remember this was a tale about a black girl who was too Black, too poor, and seemingly too unlovable for the world she existed in.

I do always remember this book helped put a word to an issue that I was learning about but fully didn’t connect all the dots about: colorism. I was especially protective over this book, because it was a Black woman writing about a Black girl and those were the stories I wanted to read about. The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent winner has now been reissued with a striking new cover and a foreword by New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds and is now available for more readers to enjoy, which makes me happy as more Black girls are able to read this one.

“No Almond Joy-colored girls like me. No gum smacking, wisecracking girls from my side of town.”

Maleeka Madison knows her lot in life. She anticipates that the kids will sing that awful jingle they came up with that bashes her for her dark, Black skin. She knows her mom works so hard but doesn’t make enough money to where she can wear less home-made and hand-me-down clothing that adds to the teasing. She knows that her quiet disposition and studious nature is a boom to her academic career as a student, but it makes her a target as a teacher’s pet and a loser. She knows that she has to dull her senses in order to dull the pain of being who she is in order to survive each day she leaves home and goes to school–she does enough most days. She survives.

And then one day a new teacher, Miss Saunders, arrives. She is a confident, sassy, well to do woman who rubs everyone the wrong way and leads an engaging class that makes everyone think. Her downfall according to our middle school-aged protagonist is the imperfection marring her face: a startling white patch on her face. Maleeka ponders again and again how this woman lives so confidently in the skin she’s in knowing folks have torn down others for less.

“Then I end up the same paragraph with Akeelma saying she’s scared that maybe people will always think she’s ugly. But I’m really talking about myself.”

The joy in rereading this book is following along with Maleeka as she slowly gains the courage to not only stand up for herself, but for others and ultimately for what’s right. With each chapter, she keeps hitting that ceiling of what little love and self-esteem she has for herself, yet before the book is over she has a showdown with the one who treats her the worse and the one who seeks to keep her down. Getting to the end of the book where she chooses not to be apathetic and stand up and do something is refreshing and makes for a great emotional arc where she’s had enough and wants more for herself. What is equally enjoyable is reading about Maleeka finding her voice in another way: in her writing. It is her writing that also saves her–at first, it is a creative and therapeutic outlet and it evolves into a connection to a beloved family member who passed on and later to what helps her win a writing contest that she never dreamed of winning.

Read on here. [x]

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

Nesha Reads: Pinned by Sharon G. Flake

This one has two disabled mains and is only 5 hours, so I'm back on my book ish. Plus. Bahni Turpin being the voice behind Autumn? It's for me.

[ireadyabooks]

The Life I’m In

In The Skin I'm In, readers saw into the life of Maleeka Madison, a teen who suffered from the ridicule she received because of her dark skin color. For decades fans have wanted to know the fate of the bully who made Maleeka's life miserable, Char.

Now in Sharon Flake's latest and unflinching novel, The Life I'm In, we follow Charlese Jones, who, with her raw, blistering voice speaks the truths many girls face, offering insight to some of the causes and conditions that make a bully. Turned out of the only home she has known, Char boards a bus to nowhere where she is lured into the dangerous web of human trafficking. Much is revealed behind the complex system of men who take advantage of vulnerable teens in the underbelly of society. While Char might be frightened, she remains strong and determined to bring herself and her fellow victims out of the dark and back into the light, reminding us why compassion is a powerful cure to the ills of the world.

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READ AN EXCERPT: 

The Life I'm in Excerpt by I Read YA on Scribd