“The Skin I’m In,” by Scholastic Press, is better known as a book by Sharon G. Flake. It was her first novel and this is her first book that has been re-written as a play. On Jan. 9, at the Homewood Library, more than 300 gathered to witness the staged reading of “The Skin I’m In.” The event was free and open to the public, and caused somewhat of a traffic jam in the area. Many said the traffic jam was well worth it.
A staged reading is a “script in hand” play. There is no blocking, just actors on stage reading their parts. There were 19 actors and a narrator. Flake said, “I wrote this story 18 years ago and I made a promise that if it was to be a play I would give young people who have never acted a chance to be in it.” She said a young lady even drove from New York to audition for the play. That same young lady said even if she did not get the part she wanted to be a part of the process.
This was the first staged reading for Flake’s work. To date, she has written over 10 books. Flake is a multiple Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor winner and has been hailed as the voice of middle-grade youth and a Rising Star by the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Her writing has been applauded for its on-point narrative that explores issues affecting teens from all walks of life.
In the “Skin I’m In,” 13-year-old Maleeka, who is uncomfortable because her skin is extremely dark, meets a new teacher with a visible mark on her face, and makes some discoveries about how to love who she is and what she looks like.
Flake resides in Pittsburgh and thanks the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Homewood Library for their support.
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