Characters... In Skim by Mariko Tamaki

I have just finished reading Skim by Mariko Tamaki and the main character of the story, the protagonist, is Kimberly Keiko Cameron, aka Skim. The antagonist and the cause of most of Skim's teenage angst is her teacher, Ms. Archer. At points, it could also be argued that Skim's best friend Lisa is also an antagonist character. Skim's strengths include her ability to overcome the social norms around her. She develops an intimate relationship with Ms. Archer, despite the social faux-pas that surround such relationships. Ms. Archer, in return, shows strength by the way her present begins to entirely rule Skim's life. Skim's strength, however, is what ultimately triumphs in the end as she moves on from her harmful relationship. She also moves away from her harmful relationship with her best friend Lisa, who constantly has a grip on Skim's life. 

The reader is drawn to these characters by their many realistic characters. This is a book targeted towards teenage girls that uses teenage girls to convey circumstances, albeit slightly quirky, that are relevant to the lives of teenaged girls. Skim is a social outcast and totally relatable to all girls around her age who generally, at some point or another, feel as though they don't belong. This plays on emotional familiarity, despite some of Skim's quirky characteristics such as her belief in Wicca and homosexual relationship with her teacher. However, Skim's story, despite the quirks, offers hope for teenage girls that their lives are going to turn out alright...