Sharon G. Flake
Encyclopedia
Sharon Flake is an author of young adult literature
. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and has resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh
with a BA in English.
Her works include The Skin I'm In, which follows a young African American
girl who has issues with people teasing her about the color of her skin and the way she dresses. She tries her best to fit in but it doesn't go too well. She learns that trying to fit in is not the best way to make people like you. Her works have won numerous awards. The Skin I'm In won the John Steptoe New Talent Award in 1999 for new authors and garnered positive feedback from Booklist
and School Library Journal
. She has also been twice awarded author honors by the Coretta Scott King Award
s
, where she was a member of the tennis team.
Flake earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1978, majoring in English Writing and minoring in Political Science. During this time, she had an internship at the University's public relations office, and wrote for The Pitt News
. Immediately after graduating she took a job as a house parent in a Pittsburgh area youth shelter, working with young people in foster care. From 1987 until 2005, Flake returned to the University of Pittsburgh public relations department where she eventually became a supervisor, then went on to become Director of Public Relations at the University's Katz Graduate School of Business.
During this time her writing career still remained active. Flake participated in writing workshops at the Pinocchio bookstore, where she began working on The Skin I'm In in the mid nineties.
Over the next few years, Flake continued to work at Pitt, while also writing for nonfiction for B-level and local magazines, and reviewed articles for Shooting Star Review, a Pittsburgh literary publication. Periodically, she also wrote pieces for Pitt's alumni publication, and worked in a writing group with her friends.
When her daughter Brittney was born, Flake's interest in writing grew stronger. She often credits her daughter's birth with launching her fiction writing career. "If she weren't born," Flake says, "I'm not sure I ever would have become a consistent enough writer to make this journey. Her birth gave me the inspiration and dedication I needed to stay the course." Flake wrote short stories for her daughter, and read them at her daughter’s daycare. She went on to write “The Luckiest Sister”, a story about two twins who lead different lives because of their different skin colors. It was the winner of the August Wilson short story contest, and was published in AIM magazine.
Flake later won a scholarship to, and attended the Highlights for Children’s writing conference in Chautauqua. Her first novel, The Skin I'm In, was published in 1998 when Disney released its Jump at the Sun imprint. She has since written six pieces, including novels and collections of short stories through Disney Books (Jump at the Sun).
In her spare time, Flake enjoys gardening, line dancing, reading, and walking with her dog, Pharaoh, a purebred Shih Tzu
.
Young adult literature
Young-adult fiction or young adult literature , also juvenile fiction, is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 14 to 21. The Young Adult Library Services of the American Library Association defines a young adult as "someone between the...
. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and has resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
with a BA in English.
Her works include The Skin I'm In, which follows a young African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
girl who has issues with people teasing her about the color of her skin and the way she dresses. She tries her best to fit in but it doesn't go too well. She learns that trying to fit in is not the best way to make people like you. Her works have won numerous awards. The Skin I'm In won the John Steptoe New Talent Award in 1999 for new authors and garnered positive feedback from Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
and School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
. She has also been twice awarded author honors by the Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Award
The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association...
s
Life
Flake was born December 24, 1955, in Philadelphia. She is the second youngest child, with three brothers and two sisters, and grew up in an inner-city neighborhood. Her father worked for Philadelphia Gas Co., while her mother did days work and raised her children. Through their guidance, Flake and her siblings were encouraged to be themselves, learning about culture through music, TV, politics, and books. As a teenager, she attended Simon Gratz High SchoolSimon Gratz High School
Simon Gratz High School is a secondary school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. An inner-city school, it is perhaps best-known for its famous alumni . Originally operated as a public school by the School District of Philadelphia, Gratz has been run as a charter school by Mastery Charter...
, where she was a member of the tennis team.
Flake earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1978, majoring in English Writing and minoring in Political Science. During this time, she had an internship at the University's public relations office, and wrote for The Pitt News
The Pitt News
The Pitt News is an independent, student-written and student-managed newspaper for the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland which has been active in some form since 1910. It is published Monday through Friday during the regular school year and Wednesdays during the summer...
. Immediately after graduating she took a job as a house parent in a Pittsburgh area youth shelter, working with young people in foster care. From 1987 until 2005, Flake returned to the University of Pittsburgh public relations department where she eventually became a supervisor, then went on to become Director of Public Relations at the University's Katz Graduate School of Business.
During this time her writing career still remained active. Flake participated in writing workshops at the Pinocchio bookstore, where she began working on The Skin I'm In in the mid nineties.
Over the next few years, Flake continued to work at Pitt, while also writing for nonfiction for B-level and local magazines, and reviewed articles for Shooting Star Review, a Pittsburgh literary publication. Periodically, she also wrote pieces for Pitt's alumni publication, and worked in a writing group with her friends.
When her daughter Brittney was born, Flake's interest in writing grew stronger. She often credits her daughter's birth with launching her fiction writing career. "If she weren't born," Flake says, "I'm not sure I ever would have become a consistent enough writer to make this journey. Her birth gave me the inspiration and dedication I needed to stay the course." Flake wrote short stories for her daughter, and read them at her daughter’s daycare. She went on to write “The Luckiest Sister”, a story about two twins who lead different lives because of their different skin colors. It was the winner of the August Wilson short story contest, and was published in AIM magazine.
Flake later won a scholarship to, and attended the Highlights for Children’s writing conference in Chautauqua. Her first novel, The Skin I'm In, was published in 1998 when Disney released its Jump at the Sun imprint. She has since written six pieces, including novels and collections of short stories through Disney Books (Jump at the Sun).
In her spare time, Flake enjoys gardening, line dancing, reading, and walking with her dog, Pharaoh, a purebred Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a breed of dog weighing with long silky hair. The breed originated in China and is among the earliest breeds. Shih Tzu were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969...
.
Works
- The Skin I'm InThe Skin I'm InThe Skin I'm In is a realistic fiction novel written by Sharon Flake. It was published by Hyperion Books on January 3, 2000. It depicts the story of seventh grader Maleeka Madison who has low self esteem because of her dark skin color....
(1998) - Money Hungry (2002)
- Begging for Change (2003) - sequel to Money Hungry
- Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives (2004)
- Bang (2005)
- The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street (2007)
- You Don't Even Know Me: Stories and Poems about Boys (2010)
External links
- Sharon G. Flake's Official Web Site
- Sharon Flake at PennState Libraries, accessed February 10, 2011.