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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Recently back home after a stint in foster care, 12-year-old Sharkita (Black) lives in fear of again being separated from her precocious sister, Lilli, and developmentally disabled brother, Lamar. While Mama goes out—sometimes for days at a time—Kita cooks dinner, pays the bills, cleans the house, and cares for her siblings. Kita’s head swirls with adult worries and complicated emotions: She longs to be loved and cherished by her mother even as she sometimes hates her. She is both her mom’s “ride-or-die” and the target of her abuse; she knows she is a burden to her mother, who can’t even be bothered to fix the hyperdontia that gives Kita two rows of teeth, like a shark. Kita’s only reprieve is dance; she’s a baton twirler on the team and loves her coach, Miss Kadejah, who takes Kita under her wing. When Kita decides to go out with her friends after a game one night, her mom leaves Lilli and Lamar home alone, and the result is disastrous. Kita blames herself as she and her siblings are sent to separate foster homes—but this time, with the support of her new therapist, her friends, and Miss Kadejah, Kita summons the courage to speak the truth about her family’s crisis in order to give her siblings—and herself—the homes, love, and security they need and deserve. The promise of hopeful futures for these three children comes as a great relief after the trauma they endure.

CCBC Choices 2025 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.

From School Library Journal

Starred review from March 2, 2024

Gr 5 Up-Twelve-year-old Sharkita has always been told by her mom that she's her "ride or die." To Kita, this means covering for her mom when she goes out drinking or disappears for days. As the primary caregiver for her younger siblings Lamar, who has fetal alcohol syndrome, and Lilli, Kita struggles to keep her family together. When they're reunited after being separated in different foster homes, Sharkita's mother promises that this time will be different. Hopeful with her mother's precarious promises, Kita joins the baton twirling team. Despite her best efforts, grown-ups in Sharkita's life take notice of her struggles; her new assistant principal and coach Dr. Sapperstein, and her school counselor encourage her to reach out for the help she so desperately needs. Tragedy strikes one night when Kita's mom leaves Lamar and Lilli at home alone. Sharkita grapples with the decision of keeping her family together at all costs, or truly doing what's best for them. Young readers will connect with this powerful story that paints a realistic and heartbreaking picture of family conflict. Kita is a brave protagonist many will root for as she wrestles with emotional turmoil, eventually transforming into a heroine for her siblings. Secondary characters are well developed, and the contrast between Sharkita's mother and Dr. Sapperstein as dependable adults is beautifully illustrated. VERDICT A must-buy for every library, this belongs in the hands of young readers and those who care for them.-Amy McInerney

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Horn Book

January 1, 2024
Sharkita is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, although her life finally feels like it is on the right track. Her mom is now employed and sober, and Kita has been reunited with her two younger siblings, Lamar and Lilli. Letting her guard down slowly, she tries to be a regular middle schooler hanging out with friends and even trying out for the twirl squad. Unfortunately, the stability of her family begins to unravel, and a series of events lands the siblings in foster care once again. After an assault leads to her hospitalization, Kita finds she needs to summon her courage to start over, and hopefully this time will be different. A heart-wrenching tale of family disruption, this story is one of adaptation and resilience. However, the trauma of separation that the protagonist is forced to endure fills her with anxiety. Despite the efforts of such helpful adults as the new assistant principal, she constantly attempts to put on her bravest face to protect the fragile snippets of peace at home. Winston's (The Braid Girls, rev. 7/23) story will resonate with some while offering others a window into a life of abuse and upheaval. Monique Harris

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from December 4, 2023
Winston (Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution) delivers a nuanced telling about a Black family in crisis via this harrowing, compassionate read. After having been placed in separate foster homes, "all because Mama went out one night and decided not to come back for nine days," 12-year-old Sharkita has just been reunited with her five-year-old sister, Lillieana, and her eight-year-old brother, Lamara, who was born with fetal alcohol poisoning. Though her mother promises things will be different this time, Sharkita-whose classmates bully her for her "shark teeth," or hyperdontia-is prepared to single-handedly care for her siblings like she always does. Surprisingly, however, Mama allows her to join her school's newly founded majorette squad, instead of requiring Sharkita to return home immediately after school to tend to her siblings like she used to. Joining the majorettes sparks a flicker of normalcy, but Sharkita still contends with anxiety stemming from her mother's neglect that feels like a shark swallowing her whole ("I didn't know which was worse-a life with her or one without"). Driven by an emotionally intelligent and complex protagonist, this courageous story about strength in the face of neglect, and the bravery to demand what is best for one's family and oneself, is potent and powerful. Ages 9—11.

From Booklist

Starred review from December 1, 2023
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Nothing is more important to seventh-grader Sharkita (Kita) than keeping herself and her younger siblings, Lilli and Lamar, out of foster care, but Mama doesn't make that easy. Beautiful and magnetic, Mama is a loving parent when she wants to be, but too often she chooses drinking and partying over her children, leaving Kita to care for the littles alone--sometimes for days on end. Lately, though, Mama has been behaving responsibly enough for Kita to feel a glimmer of hope that things might be different this time. She allows herself to join her school's new majorette squad as a twirler, something that would've been impossible if she had to look after Lilli and Lamar. Devastatingly, Kita's hopes go up in smoke when Mama leaves the littles home alone while Kita's out with friends, resulting in the siblings being sent to separate foster families. Winston dives deep into the stark realities some children face in unstable homes, and the immense pressure that that unfairly puts on young people. As unfortunate as Kita's home life is, she is surrounded by caring adults who see the signs that Kita's family is in crisis and do everything in their power to support her, even when she isn't yet ready to accept their help. A powerful, ultimately uplifting potrtait of breaking a toxic cycle and embracing a better future.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Kirkus

Starred review from November 1, 2023
A Florida middle schooler tries to hide her problems at home as she attempts to have a normal school experience. Sharkita Lloyd is fearful that something will happen to disrupt her family life again. Her mother's neglect landed Kita and younger siblings Lilli and Lamar in separate foster homes for the summer. Mama seems to be trying her best, but Kita continues to do more than her share of caregiving, a difficult task, especially given that 8-year-old Lamar has fetal alcohol syndrome. Mama's fierce temper also keeps Kita on edge, doing all she can to make her happy. As she begins seventh grade, Kita ponders all the experiences she's missed. She's also self-conscious about her appearance due to dental issues that have led to bullying. The new assistant principal extends an invitation to her new dance team, but as much as Kita wants to join and become a baton twirler, she fears her mother's irresponsibility will make it impossible. Even as Kita allows herself to relax, engage with friends and school activities, and believe in her family's future, her worst fears come true. The cast is primarily African American, and cultural touchstones are woven throughout. This is an outstanding depiction of the impact that family stressors can have on a household's youngest members. Winston skillfully shares Kita's story, allowing readers to understand and empathize with her plight. The supporting characters are well drawn and add both richness and texture to the narrative. A deeply satisfying tale with an irresistible protagonist. (Fiction. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.