THE 2024 KIRKUS PRIZE
Shakita’s struggle to be a normal 12-year-old while stepping up to care for her little sister and neurodivergent younger brother is exhausting. But she can’t let her family be separated again–not again. They were just reunited after spending the summer in foster care. Mama made mistakes. But this time, mama promises things will be different. Only the more promises mama makes, the more stressed Kita becomes. And the more stressed she becomes, the worse the nightmares, the tension and feeling of a scream she can’t set free seem to get.
For the category I’m in, Shark Teeth is up against Saniyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Kahn. It is enchanting and beautiful and haunting. I feel humbled to have my book mentioned in the same category as hers.
I love this book but II realize an awful lot of wonderful kid lit has been published this year. For the category I’m in, Shark Teeth is up against is called Saniyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Kahn. It is enchanting and beautiful and haunting. I feel humbled to have my book mentioned in the same category as hers. However, in the end, we are both spinning tales of young girls’ fight to survive against what seems like impossible odds. My best wishes to Hiba and all the finalists in other categories. And thank you to Kirkus, whose starred review for Shark Teeth delighted me, but not as much as this!
Congratulation finalists! See you in New York Oct. 16 for the outcome!
(for more on the prize, follow the link https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/finalists-for-the-2024-kirkus-prize-are-revealed/ )
