FernFolio

Thirteen year-old Maleeka Madison is laughed at and called names by her classmates. Tall and reed-thin and black, she is called beanpole and taunted because of her skin colour. To make matters worse, she wears clothes made by her mother, which often don’t fit properly, and she’s been a straight A student, a teacher’s pet. Now in Grade 7, Maleeka has made up her mind to fight back against the name-calling and bullying. She makes a deal with Charlese, the toughest girl in the class, to do her homework in exchange for being able to hang out with her, and views Char’s decision to bring Maleeka clothes each morning, so that she’s fit to be seen with, as an added bonus. But being seen in her company doesn’t stop the cruel remarks or prevent Char from using Maleeka to do her dirty work or from making nasty digs of her own.
When Miss Saunders comes to McClenton Middle School to teach English, Maleeka recognises her as trouble. Miss Saunders is determined to make a difference in the lives of her students, and identifies Maleeka as someone who is working well below potential. The teacher challenges the girl to begin to speak up for herself, and sets the example by inviting her students to openly discuss her own facial disfigurement, then telling them to take ownership of their sense of self. Miss Saunders encourages Maleeka to write and loans her books to help her improve her work. When she catches Maleeka smoking with Char in the girls’ washroom, she arranges for her to work in the school office in an effort to break the ringleader’s hold on the girl.
Maleeka knows she doesn’t want to be friends with Char and her gang, but fears the consequences of walking away too much to sever the relationship. John-John, who has tormented her for years, seems to get nastier and nastier, and, even when confronted about his behaviour, won’t back off. Caleb, with whom she used to hang out, has abandoned her, getting up and walking away from Maleeka to the cheers of their classmates. Though she prays for a strong spirit, the young girl simply lacks the courage to live up to Miss Saunders’ expectations.
But, when the verbal taunts and name calling turn physical, Maleeka has to decide whether she is going to continue to be held prisoner by the prejudice of others or find the courage to set herself free.
FernFolio Editor