SKIN

An Australian girl grows in understanding after surgery alters her appearance.

Fourteen-year-old Lexus “Lexie” Collins is looking forward to spending the upcoming two weeks of vacation hanging out with her best friend, Jess, and preparing for the New South Wales public speaking finals when she notices a new freckle on her usually clear skin. Her mother insists that she see a doctor, and Lexie learns that she has a spitzoid nevus, a mole that’s a type of pre-melanoma and must be removed from her cheek immediately. The resulting incision makes Lexie feel self-conscious, to the point where she avoids Jess and even considers dropping out of the speech competition. But when she gets to know schoolmate Moira Carpenter, who’s confident and friendly despite severe eczema that makes her a target of bullies, Lexie comes to understand that who people are on the inside is more important than how they look. At the beginning of the book, Lexie has judgmental thoughts about a teacher’s makeup and tacitly agrees with other girls’ cruel assessment of Moira’s appearance, but her experiences help her develop kindness and empathy. This short, accessible novel may appeal to readers struggling with issues of body image and appearance.

An engaging reluctant reader–friendly novel with a clear character arc.