Review by Booklist Review
Flake returns to the world of The Skin I'm In (1998) to bring an update on the lives of Maleeka, Char, Caleb, and John. Told from the perspective of John, we find each character navigating high school and the growing pains associated with the events of the past books. John is looking for his first girlfriend and trying to navigate the relationship with his father and stepfamily. Caleb is taking on multiple jobs to keep his family afloat while also taking care of his ailing father. Maleeka is trying to create her own newspaper, and Char is preparing to spend a summer with her grandparents. While the four of them have formed a close friendship, past events still leave scars that each character eventually must deal with. John's coming of age will particularly resonate with young Black boys who are trying to figure out their place in the world. Fans of the previous books will devour this new addition to the series. An excellent purchase for young adult collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this "brother novel" to The Skin I'm In and The Life I'm In (rev. 3/21), Flake explores the connection between fathers and sons. John-John McIntyre and his best friend, Caleb, enjoy archery, Star Wars, and puzzles: "geeky nerd stuff," as he puts it. John-John imagines that his father wishes he had a different son -- Big John always talks about how popular he was with girls when he was in high school and how John-John needs to toughen up and start dating. He wishes his dad were more like Caleb's father; even though Mr. P. hasn't been the same since he suffered a brain aneurysm, he still listens to and respects Caleb. When John-John tries to live up to his father's expectations, he finds himself saying and doing things that get him in trouble with his friends and at home. As with Flake's previous books, readers will be able to relate to the struggles many young people face when they don't fit their family's perceived ideal. Nicholl Denice MontgomeryMay/June 2025 p.86 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Black teen perseveres in his search for love and acceptance despite insecurities and a strained paternal relationship. John "John-John" McIntyre is looking forward to attending junior prom with Ashley, the cute girl from his book club, and to a chill summer practicing archery, playing video games, and hanging with friends. But things aren't going his way. His relationship with Ashley is off to a slow start. His best friend, Caleb, is busy working at his lawn-mowing business, helping to support his family while his dad recovers from an aneurysm. And John-John's dad seems determined to remind him of how he's failed to live up to expectations. John-John just wants to figure out who he should be. But to do so he must face his anger and hurt towards his dad, grapple with his feelings of inadequacy about being short and dark-skinned, and reckon with societal messages around masculinity. This companion novel toThe Skin I'm In (1998) andThe Life I'm In (2021) reunites fans with beloved characters, including Maleeka, Charlese, and Miss Saunders. Readers will find much to appreciate about John-John's meandering journey, which doesn't spell out lessons but trusts them to reflect independently. John-John's central relationships are well developed and poignantly described, and Flake renders his growing pains on the road to maturity in an authentic and accessible voice that will make readers root for him. A thought-provoking portrayal of growing up and defining yourself as a young man.(Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
