Language: PG (3 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence Rating: PG (a physical fight, neglect, bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
12yo Sharkita is worried. Her mama is back, and she and her siblings are out of foster care, but for how long? She knows it's just a matter of time until Mama messes up again, starts drinking, and leaves Sharkita in charge of the "littles". Kita's little brother is disabled, and his behavior can be unpredictable, especially with Mama gone, and her 6yo sister is worried too. But things might be better this time. Mama is home after school, she has a job and has even given Kita permission to join the drill team at school. But with so many family secrets to keep, Kita is on edge all the time.
This is a lot for a 12-year-old. I wonder if any of the students at my school are in a similar crisis - and how could we tell? Kita's mama is terrible, always asking her to cover for her, disappearing for days and blaming Sharkita when things go wrong. I felt so badly for her. Winston tells a great story, which drew me in right away. Shark Teeth won a middle-grade Schneider honor, given to books that embody the disability experience. Sharkita has hyperdontia, which means she has 2 rows of teeth. While not the focus of the novel, it certainly adds to Kita's troubles as she is always worried someone will say something. Kita and her family are Black
Lisa Librarian
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