Overview

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. Schneider Family Book Award: Best Middle Grade Honor Book Kirkus Prize Finalist Lone Star Reading List Selection Named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal 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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Reviews

""[A] powerful story that paints a realistic and heartbreaking picture of family conflict. A must-buy."" --School Library Journal, starred review ""Driven by an intelligent and complex protagonist, this courageous story about strength in the face of neglect, and the bravery to demand what is best of one's family and oneself, is potent and powerful."" --Publishers Weekly, starred review ""A powerful, ultimately uplifting portrait of breaking a toxic cycle and embracing a better future."" --Booklist, starred review ""An outstanding depiction of the impact that family stressors can have on a household's youngest members."" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ""A heart-wrenching tale of family disruption, this story is one of adaptation and resilience."" --Horn Book Magazine ""An inspiring novel in which a girl and her siblings survive a difficult home situation, re-discovering their dreams and self-worth."" --Foreword

Author Information

Sherri Winston is the author of National Book Award longlist title Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution, President of the Whole Fifth Grade (a Sunshine State Young Readers Award selection), President of the Whole Sixth Grade (a Kids' Indie Next pick), President of the Whole Sixth Grade: Girl Code, The Sweetest Sound (a Kirkus Best Book of the Year), Jada Sly: Artist & Spy, and The Kayla Chronicles. Before Sherri was an author, she was a longtime newspaper writer and columnist. She grew up in Michigan and now lives with her daughters in Orlando, Florida. www.sherriwinston.com Twitter: @sherriwinston Instagram: @iamsherriwinston

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