From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Zoe Washington #1

by Janae Marks

#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

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")

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Mystery, Family

291 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2020

About the author

Janae Marks is the New York Times bestselling author of the Zoe Washington series, A Soft Place to Land, and A Split Second. Her work can also be found in the middle grade anthologies Hope Wins, edited by Rose Brock, and Black Girl Power, edited by Leah Johnson. Her novels have been named Best Book of the Year by Parents Magazine, Chicago Public Library, the Boston Globe, the Bank Street College of Education, and others. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Connecticut with her family. Learn more about her at janaemarks.com.

Reviews

[Janae Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to everyone for reading and reviewing my book! I'm so proud of this story. 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. You can find them here: http://www.janaemarks.com/book-extras.... Enjoy!!
~Janae Marks

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I've said this a million times already this year, but wow, I really love middle grade. This was SO GOOD.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks reminded me how great middle-grade can be. I rarely read it, and I’m not sure why. I enjoyed this one so much.

With one letter, Zoe Washington’s life changes on her twelfth birthday. Though she has her dad, Paul, she’s never met her father, Marcus. He’s been in prison her entire life. Then one day, she gets a letter from him. Marcus is in prison for a crime he never committed and Zoe is determined on clearing his name. On top of that, she’s working on her baking skills. She’s got a lot going on for a twelve year old.

This was such a sweet and heartwarming story, but it also showcased some important topics. I loved Zoe and this book!

Audio book source: Libby (library borrow)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Bahni Turpin
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Fiction (Middle Grade)
Length: 6 hours 10 minutes

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book. I did not know what this book was about before I jumped into this book...which is how I like to jump into books. I have to say this book has so much important stuff in it. This young girl as to over come and get over some very hard stuff. I love that the parents so as their eyes open. I loved all this book, but the ending. I feel that the ending so not great, and it can not stand up with the rest of the book. This book is well written and so well done until the ending. I also love how this book covers hard hitting subject and also as baking in it.

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
بین قفسه‌های کتاب‌فروشی، بخش نوجوان؛ این کتاب با جلد جذابش من رو سمت خودش کشید و بدون هیچ شناخت و معرفی خریدمش. کتاب مناسب سن بالای ۱۲ سال هست ولی همانطور که می‌دونید من هیچ‌وقت برای کتاب‌ها سن خواندن نگذاشتم. ولی اگر علاقمند به کتاب‌های نوجوانان باشید یا بخواهید به نوجوانی پیشنهاد بدید، کتاب میتونه گزینه‌ی خوبی باشه.
🧁
کتاب در مورد زویی؛ دختری بااراده و فعال و علاقمند به آشپزی ( بخصوص کیکپزیه) که هنگام تولد دوازده سالگیش نامه‌ای از طرف پدر واقعیش دریافت میکنه که به جرم قتل در زندانه. او ادعا میکنه که بی‌گناهه و وکیلش نتونسته یا نخواسته ثابت کنه؛ چون سیاهپوسته و گناهکار دانستنش خیلی راحت‌تر و کم دردسرتره! زویی در طی نامه‌نگاری‌ها و صحبت‌های تلفنی با پدرش درصدد نجات اون از زندان برمیاد و اینکه بی‌گناهی پدرش را اثبات کنه...
🧁
کتاب نکات مثبت و روشن زیادی برای من داشت و همچنین برای نوجوانان.
نکات قوتی مثل یاد گرفتن همکاری، رقابت داشتن، یادگیری انواع مهارت‌ها، قدرت درک و پذیرش، قضاوت عادلانه، بخشیدن و بخشیده شدن...
🧁
از مزایای کتاب‌های نوجوانان و توصیه به خوندن آن‌ها برای بچه‌ها این میتونه باشه که بیشتر تلاش می‌کنند خودشون را بشناسند، خودشون را باور کنند و برای انجام تصمیمات و کارهایی که دارند مصمم بشن و به این باور برسند که تنها کسی‌که باید ازش متوقع باشند و می‌تونه بهشون کمک کنه کسی نیست جز خودشون.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

خیلی دوسش داشتم😍💖

[Jenny Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and charming story narrated by the talented Bahni Turpin! A must-read for anyone who enjoys middle grade novels. It'll bring you tears of joy.

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I think this book is such a fantastic middle grade novel! I loved the character of Zoe and her dreams of being a baking star, but also a young girl who wants to connect with her absent father. I thought this book was written really well and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I would definitely read more by Janae Marks in the future.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this pitch perfect debut, by Janae Marks. Zoe is the kind of protagonist I love in middle grade books—ambitious, curious, strong—what I would describe as a take-charge kinda gal. She loves baking, which, hello, makes her the kind of kid I would have loved to be friends with in middle school. Not only does she love to bake, but she dreams of joining a junior baking competition, so that one day she can become a professional pastry chef. But her dreams get placed on the back burner when she discovers a letter in her mailbox from her biological father, who has been convicted of murder. At first, she doesn't want to have anything to do with him. But her curiosity starts gnawing on her, so she decides to write him back. That letter is the first of many, and as she gets to know him, she discovers that he's been wrongly convicted. Zoe makes it her mission, to find the evidence needed to set her biological father free. 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. 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. I know my own kid would love to gobble up a Fruit Loops cereal cupcake. 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.

[AsToldByKenya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75
This book has a lot of heart. and was a good feel good story. middle grade is just excellent.


due diligence
I hate black people who feel they get to decide if its good or bad for black people to use the n word is it 2005? you can do what u want in YOUR home. as for everybody else mind yours.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a solid read but i felt the ending didn't give me the punch I got from other middle grade novels. This one had a storyline I never thought would be possible in middle grade and that's exactly why people need to read this genre more.

[disco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never underestimate what children can teach you - or books about children!

[Arianne Costner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!

Zoe is a great, strong character with a spot-on voice. The pacing kept me turning pages the whole time. There is a lot of intrigue to keep the reader interested. The way her relationship develops with her dad is so sweet, and the ending is really satisfying.

Grandma might’ve been my favorite character 😁

Also, the food descriptions were scrumptious. Can someone please make me a fruit loops cupcake?

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the Desk of Zoe Washington consistently popped up in conversations during the year 2020 about which juvenile novel would win the Newbery Medal. It was Janae Marks's first book, but that hadn't stopped other authors from winning the highest award in American youth literature. Ultimately, it didn't get the Newbery, but after reading this book I see why so many believed it worthy. As she turns twelve years old, Zoe has plenty of goals for herself. One of the most audacious is earning a spot on the Kids Bake Challenge!, a Food Network reality television show for aspiring preteen chefs. Yet her focus on this goal dims when Zoe checks the daily mail on her birthday and finds a letter from her father, Marcus...who has spent the past dozen years in prison for murder.

Zoe's mother and stepfather have never been keen on discussing Marcus, and Zoe hesitates to read his letter. Marcus never contacted her before; is he dangerous? Knowing that her mother would probably confiscate the letter, Zoe secretly reads it on her own. Marcus's words seem kind and warm, not at all like a cold-blooded killer. He mentions sending previous letters—whatever happened to those?—and says he wishes he were free so he could be part of her life. Zoe loves her stepfather as her true dad, but part of her is curious to know her biological father. Would her mother let Zoe write back to Marcus?

Her mother reacts with suspicion when Zoe casually mentions Marcus one day, so she drops the subject. Without asking permission, Zoe composes a letter back to Marcus, acknowledging his message and asking a few questions. As the two continue trading letters, Zoe fears her mother will discover the deception, but instead it's Zoe's maternal grandmother who finds out what's going on. Grandma knew Marcus well when he was married to her daughter, and her opinion of him isn't as low as Zoe's mother's. Marcus isn't a manipulator, Grandma says; in fact, she doesn't believe he's a murderer. Twelve years ago after police arrested Marcus for killing that woman, he insisted he had an alibi. It was never substantiated, but Grandma has doubted his guilt ever since. Now that he and Zoe are communicating for the first time, she doesn't want to jeopardize that by alerting Zoe's mother. Grandma reluctantly agrees to keep the secret, on two conditions: that Zoe allow Grandma to read every letter Marcus writes, and that Zoe promises to tell her mother the truth before summer ends. Zoe relaxes a bit: for the moment, she can continue getting to know Marcus.

After all these years, Marcus still maintains he's innocent. He tells Zoe he went to a tag sale the morning of the murder, but when he relayed that piece of information to his public defender attorney prior to the trial, the man dismissed it out of hand. He seemed convinced of Marcus's guilt, and put minimal effort into keeping him out of prison. When the jury handed down a guilty verdict, Marcus appealed through legal channels, but he never had a chance without that witness from the tag sale, and he's given up hope of proving himself innocent. He's eligible for parole after twenty-five years, he assures Zoe; maybe then they'll see each other for the first time in person. Father and daughter together, as they should have been all along.

Hiding all this from her parents is hard on Zoe, but her mother's attitude toward Marcus makes it clear she wouldn't tolerate any communication between Zoe and him. Zoe adores her stepfather and considers him her dad in almost every way, but her connection to Marcus remains despite never meeting him. She finds out from his letters that he shares her love of baking; he enthusiastically supports her dream to appear on the Kids Bake Challenge!, and encourages her to create an original, innovative recipe to wow the judges. Marcus also does his part to further Zoe's music education, suggesting some of his favorite songs from his own adolescence. "My Little Tomato," Marcus fondly calls her in his letters, and whenever Zoe listens to her "Little Tomato Playlist" of the songs he has recommended, she feels close to her biological father as she never thought possible. Could this gentle, generous man have murdered a young woman, and be lying to Zoe about it? Or was he victim of a justice system stacked against him? As weeks pass and Zoe's loyalty to Marcus grows, she can't bring herself to sit back and wait for a parole that may never come. If no one else is interested in saving Marcus, she'll do it herself.

Her relationships with her mother and grandmother aren't the only ones under stress. Summer after summer, Zoe's best friend has been Trevor, whose family lives in the other half of their divided two-family house. Lately Trevor is more interested in hanging out with guys from his basketball team, and not long ago Zoe overheard him talking about her in a very unflattering way. If that's how Trevor sees her, she doesn't want to be friends, but as she commits more and more to proving Marcus innocent, Trevor may be the only one willing to do whatever she needs to free her father. Marcus tells Zoe the name of the woman he claimed could vouch for his whereabouts at the time of the murder all those years ago, but he urges Zoe to forget about his problems and enjoy her life. She isn't responsible for engineering his freedom, and he doesn't want to get her into a messy situation. Zoe has no intention of standing pat; an internet search reveals a few possible leads on this "Susan Thomas" whom Marcus says he met at a tag sale on the morning in question. The most promising lead Zoe has is a professor by that name at Harvard University, a short train ride from where Zoe lives in Boston, but does she have the gumption to sneak away to Harvard by herself and question a stranger? Is Marcus's freedom worth betraying the trust of her own mother and grandmother?

If Zoe can't prove Marcus innocent before her mother finds out she's been corresponding with him, she'll never be allowed to write him again. It's a tense journey downtown and then on the train to Harvard's huge campus, but Zoe isn't alone. An unexpected friend is willing to take the risk with her, to search for a woman who, in all likelihood, won't remember Marcus at all. Time is of the essence to get to Harvard, interview Susan Thomas, and be home before Zoe's mother or Grandma realize she's missing, but Marcus's future depends on it. Zoe may be about to find out the truth, a truth bigger than a twelve-year-old is capable of carrying by herself. Is Marcus a liar, or was he railroaded for a crime he didn't commit? Is he a monster, or just a man abandoned twelve years ago by everyone he knew? Zoe is the only one with both means and motive to end an injustice older than she is.

The mountain Zoe seeks to climb is a real Everest. Would her mother consider the possibility of Marcus's innocence if good evidence is presented, or is she convinced beyond all reasoning that he's evil? Grandma has been hesitant to conceal that Zoe is writing to Marcus; if she finds out Zoe is taking personal risks to exonerate him from decades-old murder charges, will she forbid her from communicating with Marcus at all? Lawyers don't seem to care that Marcus may have gotten a raw deal during his trial, and Zoe can't expect a Harvard professor with no personal ties to Marcus to be deeply invested in an old, settled criminal case. Zoe's parents and Grandma love her deeply, but she feels alone defending Marcus. Yet in Zoe, we see what a determined heart can do when no one else believes. Marcus could easily have lived the rest of his life behind bars, but his future may radically change if Zoe's plan works out. Imagine an innocent man freed from his cage to be with his daughter again; what risk isn't worth that? If Zoe doesn't do it, no one else is lining up to, so it's hard to blame her for disobeying her parents and Grandma. The fate of an innocent man matters, especially if he's your father, and an act of childlike faith could restore to Zoe a part of her life she never knew was missing. What will be Marcus's fate, and Zoe's? The answer is in these pages.

Part of what makes From the Desk of Zoe Washington a splendid novel is the depth and variety of relationships. Zoe feels betrayed by Trevor before the book begins, but sees some signs that their friendship might not be dead. Will they ever be comfortable together as they used to be? The stain of hurt doesn't fade easily. "(I)t was like when you drew something in pencil and then tried to erase it—the pencil lines would mostly go away, but sometimes the indent would still be there, so you could still sort of see what had been erased." Losing her friend permanently is more than Zoe can handle at the moment; perhaps the friendship can be saved if they both need it enough. "Maybe the pencil marks couldn't be erased, but at some point, you could decide to turn to a new page." There is a future with Trevor as her friend, just as Zoe hopes the page can be turned on the ugly pencil marks marring Marcus's past. She can help him flip to a clean page and start writing a more hopeful tomorrow. A happy ending is a lot to expect, but if the miraculous occurs it will be because Zoe believed it could happen and did whatever it took to get there. Saviors come in all shapes, sizes, and ages.

If From the Desk of Zoe Washington had won the 2021 Newbery Medal, I would applaud the selection. Janae Marks writes with beauty, power, and pride, creating wondrously real characters and a situation filled with such moral complexity that there's no telling what the right thing is to do. Is Zoe justified in ignoring her mother's wishes, and Grandma's, to pursue the lead on Marcus's alibi? True, she owes her parents obedience, but if Marcus is innocent then he deserves redress for his wrongful conviction, and who will help him get it if not Zoe? No one else has looked into the facts of his case for more than a decade. The labyrinth of ethical and moral concerns is smartly constructed, stressful though the experience can be while reading. Janae Marks's debut is a fine piece of literature, and part of me wants to rate it three and a half stars. A novel this good doesn't mosey along every day, so when it does, enjoy it. I certainly did.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoe Washington just turned twelve and she has big plans. She wants to be on a kid's baking show, publish her own cookbook, and become a famous pastry chef. An internship at a local bakery will give her opportunities to work toward those aspirations. When a letter addressed to her from her bio dad appears in the mail on her birthday, she channels some of that energy in another direction -- proving her dad is innocent despite his conviction as a murderer before she was born. What this book does very well is show kids the hard work it takes to be successful in a business like a bakery. Zoe does a lot of tinkering to develop her own special cupcake recipe in the book. Another aspect that is covered appropriately for middle grades is the issue of wrongful convictions and the efforts being made on their behalf by the Innocence Project (John Grisham's new title "The Guardians" does a great job covering this issue for adults, BTW). What I found to be disappointing was the offhand way that the author informs kids about the Black Lives Matter movement. As a police officer's wife I find the following quote to be inflammatory and insufficient: "I knew about the Black Lives Matter movement, how Black people all over the country were getting shot by police for no good reason. If those police officers weren't going to jail, then it made sense that the whole prison system was messed up." If I knew this were not in the final edition, I would award another star.

Thank you to Katherine Tegen Books and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE. MORE TO COME.

Review on 14/01/20. Thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC of this novel.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington is a moving, true-to-life middle-grade novel that highlights just how potent perseverance can be — even when you’re just twelve. This book is one of those middle-grade novels that tackles issues without taking away the joy of the mundane.

Debut author Janae Marks explores parental incarceration, wrongful imprisonment, friendship missteps, and more in this novel. I couldn’t help but think of Alicia D. Williams’s Genesis Begins Again . Zoe jumps off the page as much as Genesis does. I highly — oh so highly — recommend this novel.

Read my full review on the blog.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MIDDLE GRADE MARCH!

First of all - I will listen to anything that Bahni Turpin narrates, she is truly wonderful.

Second of all - This book was great!

Zoe Washington turns 12 years old at the start of this book. On her Birthday, she receives a letter from her Father, who has been in prison since before she was born. She secretly begins corresponding with him and begins to question whether or not he is truly innocent. With her mind finally made up, she starts to do her own investigations about his alibi on the night of the crime. Zoe is also very passionate about baking, and I loved those parts in the book. She is a pretty busy 12 year old dealing with some important stuff. If you're a Middle Grade fan... read this!

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just enjoyable as a reread!
1/8/21 4.5 stars, what if you never met your biological dad because he is in prison? What if he might be innocent? This is what Zoe learns when she and her biological dad correspond through letters (behind her parents' backs) the summer between 6th and 7th grade. In addition, Zoe likes to bake (she has a creative mind and likes to invent new recipes) and deals with friendship issues.
Tweens who are curious about social justice, fans of Joan Bauer's books especially Close to Famous or Hope was Here or those who like supportive family/friendship stories with a little bit of tension will like this.

Added on 7/14/21 Even though, some may question the believability of this story about a twelve year-old who decides to try and get her biological dad out of prison and the happy ending; IMO that's what makes it accessible to younger readers.

[Ellen Goodlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the mistake of starting this in the evening, and then I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish! Couldn’t put this page-turner down until I knew how it ended.
The tasty cupcake descriptions weren’t the only sweet thing about this book—I loved Zoe’s whole family (especially Grandma <3). Each one of them makes mistakes along the way, but they learn important lessons, forgive each other, and let go of past hurts.
This should be a must-read for any budding middle schoolers. Zoe navigates friendship problems, works to uncover difficult secrets from her past, and all the while she never loses sight of her dream to become a pro baker. So inspirational! I hope I’m half as cool as Zoe when I grow up ;)

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 HUMUNGOUS UGLY CRY STARS

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.

I couldn’t help falling in love with Zoe, her passion for baking and her quest to figure out the truth about her father. Her stubborn charm and earnest pursuit of her goals was authentic and endearing.

FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON tackles tough topics in a middle grade age appropriate matter, friendship, family, race and social justice.

Adults and kids of all ages will champion Zoe and her relationships.

[Kadi P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was predictable yet entertaining. 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 liked the positivity here but I think the happily ever after ending came a little too quickly. The character development was great, if only the ending hadn’t been so rushed.

The messages shared within it regarding racism, the BLM movement, inadequacy of the justice system and prison reform where admirable to see in a middle grade book. I think the take on them were a little too simplistic though. Simply saying something isn’t “black and white” (as the grandma states) but then presenting it throughout the book as either black or white is really counterintuitive to the complexity of the matters. I think more exploration was needed to make it seem like this wasn’t a half-committal or a sugar-coated washed-down take tailored for kids, which really doesn’t suit a book that’s brave enough to discuss murder in an intimate way.

All in all, a charming read, especially for a debut novel. Brushing on some interesting topics with a relatively good storyline and characters but maybe a bit too happily ever after to really have a long-lasting impact.

[Jordan Ifueko · Rating 5 out of 5]

hey cool cool i'm crying now

[Melanie Brinkman]

Sometimes we must tweak the recipe of life to make it right.

A letter awaits on Zoe's doorstep when she returns home from celebrating her 12th birthday. This is the first time she's heard from her father, Marcus, who's in prison for committing a violent crime. A crime he says he didn't commit. Zoe doesn't know how to feel, but the more they correspond, the more she starts to believe him.

Is he innocent? Zoe knows she must find out the truth even if it means hiding her investigation from family members who don't want her to get involved, who just want her to focus on her bakery internship.

Can she find the perfect recipe for justice?

A story of sweet treats and a mission for even sweeter justice. What happens when a surprise letter adds some shocking ingredients into the mix.

Trigger warnings for racism, racial slurs, microaggressions, and talk of death.

Curious, ambitious Zoe had big dreams. Wether crafting her own delectable desserts through trial and error, or investigating her father's case, the spunky girl passionately pursued her goals. While the internship nor her quest for justice went as she planned, they allowed her to grow up in meaningful ways. Letters to Marcus showed a softer, equally inquisitive side of her that I loved. Zoe was the embodiment of a flawed, but spectacular heroine.

From her wise, loving mother and stepfather, to a father she learned to care about deeply, to a smart, understanding grandmother, to a friend she was on the rocks with, Zoe had a lot of people who cared about her. Deftly drawn, the supporting cast was endearing.

Some bonds, like that between Zoe and her parents, felt a bit underdeveloped. Wonderfully representing friendships between different sexes, Zoe's friendship with Trevor was great, but a little too easy given their history. Probably my favorite side character, her supportive Grandma always did what she thought was right. Connecting through secret correspondence, music, and more, Marcus and Zoe changed each others lives in ways that made me happy cry.

Grab something yummy (maybe a cupcake... or a few) before you read this, because not only will it fire up and fill your soul, it will awaken your sweet tooth. Infusing the hopes of one young girl into the tension, Janae Marks brought racism, wrongful imprisonment, and the ways it robs many lives of the life they deserve, to an incredibly personal level. Courageous, the themes of family, mending friendships, standing up for what you believe in and forgiving but not forgetting, were smartly imparted. A timely story of baking, bonding, going after your dreams, Zoe's journey pulled on my heartstrings. Perfectly paced, From the Desk of Zoe Washington was hopeful and heartfelt.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington shows that you're never too young to make a difference.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Much of Zoe's life is pretty normal—she loves to bake and is thrilled to land a summer internship at a real bakery; she's on the outs with her best friend after an incident earlier in the summer; she longs for more responsibility and freedom now that she's twelve years old.

But one thing about Zoe's life is very, very different from most middle grade characters: Zoe's biological father, Marcus, has spent twelve years in prison for murder. And on her twelfth birthday, Zoe gets a letter from him—and with that letter, realizes just how much more there is to Marcus's story than she has ever known.

Mass incarceration of Black and brown men, and wrongful convictions, are issues that are extremely relevant in the U.S. right now. FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON takes these topics on with grace, courage, and an enormous amount of compassion. Janae Marks deftly adds layer after layer of nuance to Marcus's case, as well as to his relationship with Zoe; the book tackles big issues without ever feeling either heavy-handed or depressing. Zoe's irrepressible spirit and determination to get to the bottom of Marcus's story is inspiring and uplifting. FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON is an absolutely perfect way to introduce the issue of mass incarceration to young readers. Five enthusiastic stars!

[Scottsdale Public Library]

There's depth in this story, there's power in this story, and there is a lot of fun in this story, too. Zoe is relatable and yet inspiring.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington will inspire you to be more determined, and the resolution will warm your heart. This book is fantastic! -Megan G.

The first thing that caught my eye about this book is the adorable cover. The story lives up to how adorable the cover art is, while also covering some heavy topics. On Zoe’s 12th birthday she finds a letter from her biological father, Marcus, who is in prison. When she secretly begins to write back to him, he tells her he is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Zoe is confused by this because everything she has learned up until now tells her that an innocent person could not be in prison. Could he really be innocent? While Zoe is trying to learn more about the crime, she is also dealing with a good friend who hurt her feelings, and trying to get her parents to allow her to audition to be on the Food Network’s baking show for children. You will root for the determined Zoe in her quest to create a new cupcake flavor. You will want to listen to her playlist of the music her father recommends to her. You will long to find out more about the mystery of the crime Marcus is in prison for. This story is perfectly paced and made me feel all the feels. - Michelle V.

[Kate O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow.

I LOVED this book!

Budding 12-year-old pastry chef Zoe Washington receives a letter on her birthday from her incarcerated father, Marcus... and it's the first time she's ever heard from him. He's in jail for a violent crime, but as Zoe continues to correspond with him, she starts to wonder if he might actually be innocent after all.

This book is about love, the highs and lows of friendship, baking (be ready to have intense cupcake cravings), complex family relationships, and the importance of taking a stand.

The masterful way the author weaves in themes of social justice throughout Zoe's very personal journey will allow kids to come to conclusions about racism within our judicial and prison systems *themselves,* which is a powerful tool to give a child. Zoe is such an proactive protagonist, and I can see kids reading this in classrooms across the country, galvanized to take a stand--because Zoe shows us that you're never too young to make a big difference.

5/5 stars!

[Liana Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this middle grade so much! I will read anything Janae Marks writes.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - a storyline you don't see very often plus cupcakes! Who doesn't love cupcakes!?

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't really sure what to expect with this story when I requested it. The cover was striking and it caught my eye right away. I also liked that it featured a bit of mystery in synopsis.

Incarceration of innocent black men is a tough topic to tackle. It's an important conversation that we need to have but often people just don't want to hear. I think black readers are often bombarded with this news on a daily basis that it wears on them.

This book was different because Marcus being in prison wasn't the sole focus. Zoe had hopes, dreams, and a life outside of just helping this new father she was learning about. There was a great balance between Zoe working on her cupcake recipes and wanting to do more at the bakeshop. She also is reconnecting with her friend Trevor who she fell out with during the school year.

Overall I think this book was a great introduction to young readers to the Innocence Project and let's them know that you are never to young to make a difference.

I received an arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoë ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this 🥺✨ Such an important story and the main character is incredibly cute. Plus there's baking.... 🙊 Highly recommend this!