“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