Many people view themselves in different ways. In this book, Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes, body image and self-esteem are expressed differently. Everyone is different, but when it comes to having confidence many students in this book seem to hide their inner self with a mask. Body image and self-esteem are one of the most important themes expressed in this book.
             "God I wish people could see me in the inside," (p.48) is a quote fro one student, Janell Battle. This quote indicates that Janell is not comfortable with her appearance. She worries about what people think of her. When other make fun of her she tends to loose poise in which she is and what she is trying to accomplish. For example, in the book Janell says, "When I first got up to read, I was my usual self. I sucked in my stomach, walk slowly to make sure nothing jiggled, and tucked down my shirt like I could really hide my extra pounds down there," (p.141), which alludes to her being over weight. This quote exposes the fact that because she fears about what others say and think about her she doesn't have high self-esteem and confidence about her body image. Janell finally developed a sense of pride and therefore becomes proud of her look; "they all stared at me like I was someone special" (p.141). She doesn't seem to worry too much about her body image anymore because she says, "the kids in Mr. Ward's class sure look at me differently these days. I noticed that at the last Open Mike Friday." (p.141)
             "It's the blood that tells: slaves black as Mississippi mud ring the trunk of my family tree. They speak through me Black as they want to be," (p.79) indicates that Tanisha feels like the black sheep in her family. Tanisha's self-esteem is high but her
             body image confidence is not because she does not value having a different exterior lo
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