(S)kin
(S)kin
Ibi Zoboi
Versify/HarperCollins, 2025
387 pages
Grades 9-12
Magical Realism/Narrative Poetry
Two poetic voices tell the story of two very different girls living in Brooklyn. Genevieve is a dancer living with her professor father, stepmother, and twin baby half-siblings. She has a privileged life with a cool boyfriend, a cushy lifestyle, and eye-catching good looks—only she suffers from terrible allergies and a skin condition that makes her feel as if she is on fire. Slightly younger Marisol is an immigrant from a Caribbean nation who lives with her single mother and works her fingers to the bone for survival. On the rare occasion that she can attend school, she feels like an ugly outsider. Marisol’s mother talks herself into a job as a housekeeper at Genevieve’s house and brings Marisol in with her. They become indispensable to the family and make themselves at home. Marisol’s mother is harboring a secret that eventually comes to light involving Genevieve and her skin condition. Are Marisol and her mother mythological creatures from the Caribbean? And how are they connected to Genevieve? As the new moon approaches answers are revealed and Genevieve connects to her own magical self with all of its dangers and uncertainties.
A National Book Award finalist and a Printz medal consideration, this teen book is an incredible escape to the world of Caribbean legends. Zoboi, as stated in an author’s note, was born in Haiti and grew up surrounded by the legends of the islands. In this contemporary fantasy novel she wanted to explore what the experience may be like for a modern-day hag or lougarou, especially as seen through the eyes of young women just starting to transform. The writing is beautiful and the poetry practically jumps off the page. I found myself reading parts out loud and it would be a beautiful performance. Each girl’s narration is told on different sides of the page and chapter markers indicate who is talking. By the end of the volume both narrators are telling the story together and the reader is now familiar with which side of the page is who. Themes such as race, family dynamics, class, cultural appropriation and self confidence are all important themes to the story and are explored without preaching to the reader. I found the story fascinating and beautifully told. I am not sure that it will resonate with a teen audience who seems to only want to read Jenny Han and the like. This book is more for adults interested in folklore or very thoughtful teens. It is truly a work of art, but may go over the head of the target audience.