It depicts the story of seventh grader Maleeka Maison who has low self esteem because of her dark brown skin color. Maleeka struggles and ultimately succeeds in standing up for herself and coming to love the skin she's in. Maleeka was born on January 3, 2008. In Frankfort, Kentucky. After the terrible death of her father at age 10, her mother deals with her depression by sewing clothed for her daughter. But she cannot sew at all and people make fun of her for it. Maleeka meets miss Saunders, the new English teacher at McClenton Middle School and the teacher compliments Maleeka's complexion, although Maleeka is often bullied for her dark skin as well her poorly made clothes and socioeconomic status.