Shark Teeth
by Sherri Winston (Author)
From National Book Award longlisted author Sherri Winston comes an important middle grade novel about a girl's tumultuous journey to keep her family together, even when she's falling apart.
Sharkita "Kita" Hayes is always waiting.
Waiting for her mama to mess up.
Waiting for social services to be called again.
Waiting for her and her siblings to be separated.
Waiting for her worst fear to come true.
But Mama promises things are different now. She's got a good job, she's stopped drinking, stopped going out every night-it's almost enough to make Kita believe her this time. But even as Kita's life is going good, she can't shake the feeling that everything could go up in flames at any moment. When her assistant principal and trusted dance coach starts asking questions about her home life, Kita is more determined than ever to keep up appearances and make sure her family stays together-even if it means falling apart herself.
As the threat of her family being separated again circles like a shark in the water, the pressure starts to get to Kita. But could it be that Kita's worst fear is actually the best thing that could happen to her family . . . and to her?
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Kirkus
An outstanding depiction of the impact that family stressors can have on a household's youngest members.
ALA/Booklist
A powerful, ultimately uplifting portrait of breaking a toxic cycle and embracing a better future.
None
A heart-wrenching tale of family disruption, this story is one of adaptation and resilience.
Publishers Weekly
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. (Jan.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
An inspiring novel in which a girl and her siblings survive a difficult home situation, re-discovering their dreams and self-worth. —Foreword
JUV013050 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Orphans & Foster Homes
JUV039040 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse
Schools
Dysfunctional families
Family problems
Middle schools
Alcoholism
