Definitely recomm. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. I was fortunate to have an advanced readers copy and just fell in love with Zoe and her dreams of being a pastry chef. "When Marcus tells Zoe he is innocent, and her grandmother agrees, Zoe begins to learn about inequality in the criminal justice system, and she sets out to find the alibi witness who can prove his innocence." I feel that the ending so not great, and it can not stand up with the rest of the book. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this pitch perfect debut, by Janae Marks. From the Desk of Zoe Washington is her debut novel. Every now and then, I read a middle grade book that is engaging, well-written, and fun to read, AND deals with issues so unique and important that I wish I could shove it into the hands of everyone I know. This book is wonderful. She grew up in the suburbs of New York City, and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter. This did so without getting too overwhelming for the targeted age group. Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020. This author skillfully brings an important justice story to light through the voice of Zoe and cannot wait to read more from this debut author. If you are interested, there are some book extras on my website, including a Spotify playlist featuring all of the songs mentioned in the book, a book club discussion guide, a teacher's guide for using the book to teach about criminal justice, and a Froot Loop cupcake recipe. — BookPage I would love to see another book with Zoe and her adventures. Zoe begins a correspondence with him and learns more about herself, Marcus, the justice system, and the reality of the world we live in. FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON tackles tough topics in a middle grade age appropriate On her twelfth birthday, Zoe receives a letter from her imprisoned father, whom she’s never met which begins an odyssey to figure out whether he’s wrongly convicted, or a lying murderer. Readers will instantly be hooked into this story and the relationships of Zoe, her parents, grandma and friends. Start reading From … I know my own kid would love to gobble up a Fruit Loops cereal cupcake. The baking, and the music playlists Zoe receives from her father, and the adventures Zoe gets into with her grandmother and her best friend all help to balance … And as the icing on the cake, From the Desk of Zoe Washington imparts important lessons about judging other people, whether by the color of their skin or by their presumed guilt or innocence." She loves baking, which, hello, makes her the kind of kid I would have loved to be friends with in middle school. Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. From the Desk of Zoe Washington refers to the stationary that Zoe uses to write to her father. In the process, we get to know other members of her family, especially her grandmother, who is sympathetic to her plight, as well as her neighbor and friend, Trevor, who she enlists to help her. FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON is exactly that kind of book. Zoe's interest in baking and her dispute with her friend, Trevor, are woven into this story about the judicial system and racism in this country. From the desk of Zoe Washington Author: Marks, Janae, author. Sweet MG that balances hard topics expertly. Zoe makes it her mission, to find the evidence needed to set her biological father free. Resource Information. Visit Janae online at www.janaemarks.com. When she receives a letter from Marcus, her birth father, on her 12th birthday, Zoe begins corresponding with him in secret. 4.5 out of 5. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. This book is well written and so well done until the ending. I loved this middle grade so much! $27.59 . Zoe is relatable and yet inspiring. From the Desk of Zoe Washington is her debut novel. Unable to add item to List. Customer reviews. I also found the parents to be really annoying (except for Marcus.) 304 pages. Fabulously written and such a heart warming story. Zoe's interest in baking and her dispute with her friend, Trevor, are woven into this story about the judicial system and racism in this country. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge. List Price: $39.99. Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins), 2020. I cried! When she receives a letter from Marcus, her birth father, on her 12th birthday, Zoe begins corresponding with him in secret. A crime he says he never committed. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Hardcover. Although this was a serious topic, the story was narrated through the sweet and innocent voice of twelve-year-old Zoe Washington, who loved baking and wanted to audition for a cooking contest on TV. Please try your request again later. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading From the Desk of Zoe Washington. by Katherine Tegen Books. Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2020. Visit Janae online at www.janaemarks.com. I don’t want to say too muc. I did not know what this book was about before I jumped into this book...which is how I like to jump into books. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. All files scanned and secured, so don't worry about it She is planning on spending her summer interning at a local bakery and hanging out with her friends, but everything changes when she receives a letter from Marcus, her biological father, who is in jail for murder. This book is well written and so well done until the ending. From the Desk of Zoe Washington By Janae Marks 304 pages. This debut grabbed me from the start. Kim Johnson's upcoming YA debut This Is My America explores racial injustice against innocent black men who are criminally sentenced and the... Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. “But there was a tiny voice in the back of my brain. But I loved how Black it was. Loved this ✨ Such an important story and the main character is incredibly cute. Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The colorful, quirky cover of From the Desk of Zoe Washington, as well as a sideplot about Zoe’s aspirations to become a kid baker on one of her favorite television shows might lead readers to believe this is a “fun” book. This is a "Just Mercy" for middle grade readers. There's depth in this story, there's power in this story, and there is a lot of fun in this story, too. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks. From the Desk of Zoe Washington and millions of other books are available for instant access. While reading, I found myself cheering Zoe on, as she investigated the crime, and also in her quest to create her very own original cupcake recipe, which by the way, sounds totally delicious. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. January 14th 2020 From debut author Janae Marks comes a captivating story full of heart, as one courageous girl questions assumptions, searches for the truth, and does what she believes is right—even in the face of great opposition. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. I love that the parents so as their eyes open. The writer carefully crafted a heart warming story that is very approachable to the middle grade age and is much more hopeful and heartfelt than you might assume. When she isn’t writing fiction, she’s spending time with her husband and daughter at home in Connecticut. $17 Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins), 2020. I completely fell in love with this debut novel about a young girl named Zoe who longs to learn more about her incarcerated father. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Recommended for fans of Front Desk. I enjoyed the prison part of the storyline more than the baking part, the latter feeling like a filler because the former wasn’t enough to flesh out a whole 300 page book. I know I've said this a million times already this year, but wow, I really love middle grade. A superbly written, timely, and layered MG novel. I don’t want to say too much and accidentally spoil the story, but it was a very well-rounded, edge-of-your-seat story that I would be happy to hand off to my tween kiddos. “For the past couple of months, I’ve helped Zoe send letters to Marcus. $17 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G A wonderful book to include in any school or classroom library, and a particularly excellent choice for social issues book clubs and class read aloud. From the Desk of Zoe Washington is her debut novel. Zoe Washington isn't sure what to write. But her curiosity starts gnawing on her, so she decides to write him back. Grades 4-7. If you love headstrong middle grade protagonists, contemporary stories dealing with real-life issues such as racism, wrongful conviction, mixed race blended families, and anything to do with baking, then I would definitely recommend you pick up, FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON. Please try again. This is also a way to talk to kids about the criminal justice system and its many problems. Zoe's interest in baking and her dispute with her friend, Trevor, are woven into this story about the judicial system and racism in this country. Visit Janae online at www.janaemarks.com. Mini-Review // From the Desk of Zoe Washington. It'll bring you tears of joy. Every now and then, I read a middle grade book that is engaging, well-written, and fun to read, AND deals with issues so unique and important that I wish I could shove it into the hands of everyone I know. FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON is exactly that kind of book. 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