Lakita

Wilson

Children’s/Middle Grade/Young Adult Author

Fiction & Nonfiction

Travels from: Baltimore, MD

“Wilson’s middle-grade novel is the perfect blend of humor, introspection, and authenticity.” — Booklist

Lakita Wilson is the author of several novels and non-fiction projects for children and young adults, including Sparkle, Last Chance Dance, What Is Black Lives Matter?, a part of the New York Times Bestselling HQ Now series. Her middle grade novel, Be Real, Macy Weaver, has recently been adapted into a musical and can be seen in regional theatres and in schools.

A 2017 recipient of SCBWI’s Emerging Voices Award, Lakita and her books have been recognized by the American Library Association’s Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Black Caucus Best of the Best Books, Junior Library Guild, Apple Book of the Month, and Amazon’s Editor’s Pick. Lakita most recently had the honor of serving as the Lisa Page Writing Workshops Fellow for the Pen/Faulkner Foundation for the 2023-2024 school year, visiting over 50 DC public school classrooms during her tenure. Lakita lives in the Washington DC area with her two children and Lhasa Apso.

Lakita's Featured Titles

One Kid = Mighty Actions

Everyone is invited to speak up and organize for social justice. Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi didn’t begin fighting for racial justice as adults. Before the Black Lives Matter movement, they were kids in their communities, working hard to bring about change. Starting with problems we see in our own communities, students will work in collaborative groups to organize possible solutions for change.

Together We Rise

Racism hurts the healthy development of individual and group identity. After a discussion on the history of the Black Lives Matter Movement, youth advocates (parents, teachers, librarians, etc) will begin building skills needed to talk thoughtfully about race to young children and introduce antiracist behaviors in the home, learning environment, and community.

Building Healthy Friendships and Community

In this multi-media presentation, Lakita Wilson will discuss her novel, BE REAL, MACY WEAVER, and hold a discussion with the audience on healthy friendships and building community with peers.

Loving Ourselves and Others

In this multi-media presentation, Lakita Wilson will discuss her novel, LAST CHANCE DANCE, and hold a discussion with the audience on healthy identity, relationships and how to bounce back from disappointment.

“Using her novels Be Real Macy Weaver and Last Chance Dance as a touchstone, Lakita provided our students with an engaging and relatable talk about friendship and belonging that truly resonated.” — Notre Dame Prep, 2024

“An ode to love in all its beautiful chaos. Leila is funny, irreverent, and next-level charming, and her story is an actual joyride. Sheer delight through and through.” — Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Fun, fast-paced, and laugh-out-loud funny, Last Chance Dance will throw readers right back into the final few weeks of their senior year. You can’t help but to root for Leila as she picks up the pieces of her broken heart and embarks on a delightful mission to find new love before graduation.” — Priyanka Taslim, author of The Love Match.

“Wilson’s part breakup tale, part rom-com isn’t just about falling in and out of love; it’s also a story about Leila’s rediscovering herself in the face of loss, learning from her mistakes, and giving people a chance to redeem themselves…A charming and hopeful story about life post-heartbreak.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Macy is easy to love! Her search for a friend who will appreciate her true self is relatable and inspiring. The novel is fun, inclusive, and a celebration of being who you really are. This was such a delightful read! Make way for Lakita Wilson—a fresh, exciting voice in children’s fiction! “— Kekla Magoon, CSK Honor-winning author for The Season of Styx Malone and National Book Award finalist for Revolution in Our Time

“An earnest and lighthearted novel that offers an honest look at friendships…Be Real, Macy Weaver is an authentic look into middle-grade friendships, family and identity.” — Shelf Awareness, starred review

“Wilson’s middle-grade novel is the perfect blend of humor, introspection, and authenticity. The major characters are both realistic and likable, and she creates a fully formed, three-dimensional world that integrates serious topics with knee-slapping humor and heartfelt growth. This is a must-read for children who are working through the process of developing their own identities.” — Booklist

“An engaging read…A nice blend of life’s joys and challenges for today’s middle-grade readers.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Middle graders will find this a compelling and satisfying read, especially so if they are fans of fashion-oriented shows like Project Runway.” — School Library Connection

Lakita’s School Visits

About Lakita

Honors, Awards & Recognition

NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books, 2022
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

Media clips

Publishers Weekly | Noteworthy Picture Book and Novel Sequels: May 2022

Instagram | PenFaulkner organizes event to fifth-grade classroom

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

Wilson

One Kid = Mighty Actions

Together We Rise

Building Healthy Friendships and Community

Loving Ourselves and Others

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Media clips

Media Kit

Similar Authors

Related Topics

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