Sharon G. Flake is an author of young adult literature. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania though she 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 quickly became required reading in many schools throughout the country, especially The Skin I'm In, which follows a young African American girl, and her issues with racism, learning to fit in,and dealing with peer pressure and bullying. Her works have also won numerous awards. The Skin I'm In won the Coretta Scott King award in 1999 for new authors and garnered positive feedback from Booklist and School Library Journal.
