From the Desk of Zoe Washington
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4.8 • 56 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
#1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year * An Indie Bestseller *
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.
Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime?
A crime he says he never committed.
Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. 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.
But with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcus’s conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesn’t know how to balance. The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies.
"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." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")
Plus don't miss Janae Marks's A Soft Place to Land!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
On her 12th birthday, Zoe Washington receives a letter from Marcus, the biological father she's never met, who has been serving time for murder since just before Zoe's birth. Zoe's mother and stepfather don't want her in touch with Marcus, but Zoe, curious, strikes up a correspondence with the help of her maternal grandmother, who believes Marcus to be "a good person at heart." Aspiring pastry chef Zoe grows busy as she makes up with her best friend Trevor, writes to Marcus, and interns at a family friend's bakery, where she hopes to prove to her parents that she could compete on Food Network's Kids Bake Challenge. When Marcus tells Zoe he is innocent, and her grandmother agrees, Zoe begins to learn about inequality in the criminal justice system, and she and Trevor set out to find the alibi witness who can prove his innocence. Debut author Marks seamlessly weaves timely discussions about institutionalized racism into this uplifting and engaging story that packs an emotional punch. Zoe is a relatable tween, with friendship and familial frustrations that will resonate with readers. Ages 8 12.)
Customer Reviews
LOVED IT SO MUCHHH
man this book was on of the best books in my life!!! im usally the kid who doesn’t really like reading (still dont😅) but i LOVED THIS BOOK its a great relistic fiction read. im really hopeing to reaf it again this summer. would 💯recomend!!!!😁
B_the artist
Best book I’ve read in YEARS!!!
I loved it
This was probably one of my favorite books I’ve ever read! I finished it the same day I started it was that good! I hope Janae Marks will write more books like this. She is a really good author, I hope she continues to write amazing books like this.