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Zoe Lama #1
The Invisible Rules of the Zoe Lama
If you are one of Zoë’s friends, you know her “invisible rules” for school survival, from what to wear to which boy is the Most Vile. Ever since the day Zoë neutralized the playground bully, she has been the go-to gal for classmates and teachers alike. When a new girl comes to school with a “reputation,” Zoë decides to help her fit in. But who will save Zoë when her coaching backfires completely? Zoë Monday Costello is a whirlwind who will pick up fans on the first page of this uproarious story, carry them effortlessly to its satisfying conclusion, and leave them craving another wild ride.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2007
About the author
Tish Cohen
13 books258 followers"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin quote from Oprah's website inspired Tish Cohen to write her first adult novel.
Tish Cohen is the author of TOWN HOUSE, a 2008 finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize – Best First Book Award (Canada and Caribbean region), and in development as a feature film with Fox 2000. Ridley Scott’s Scott Free is producing and John Carney, the award-winning, critically acclaimed director of ONCE is directing. TOWN HOUSE was released to massive media interest in Canada and has been published in Italy and will soon be released in Germany.
Cohen has also written the middle-grade novels THE INVISIBLE RULES OF ZOE LAMA, and its sequel THE ONE AND ONLY ZOE LAMA
Cohen has contributed articles to some of Canada’s largest newspapers, including The Globe and Mail and The National Post. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Orange County and Montreal, Cohen now calls Toronto home. INSIDE OUT GIRL is Cohen’s second novel for adults.
Anais Nin quote from Oprah's website inspired Tish Cohen to write her first adult novel.
Tish Cohen is the author of TOWN HOUSE, a 2008 finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize – Best First Book Award (Canada and Caribbean region), and in development as a feature film with Fox 2000. Ridley Scott’s Scott Free is producing and John Carney, the award-winning, critically acclaimed director of ONCE is directing. TOWN HOUSE was released to massive media interest in Canada and has been published in Italy and will soon be released in Germany.
Cohen has also written the middle-grade novels THE INVISIBLE RULES OF ZOE LAMA, and its sequel THE ONE AND ONLY ZOE LAMA
Cohen has contributed articles to some of Canada’s largest newspapers, including The Globe and Mail and The National Post. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Orange County and Montreal, Cohen now calls Toronto home. INSIDE OUT GIRL is Cohen’s second novel for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 5, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date: Cohen, T. (2007). The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama. New York, New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Genre: Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: For single parent homes, The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama is a perfect book to help young children coping with grandparents with Alzheimer’s. Unlike other fiction books, where the young character can rely on both a mother and a father to help them through dark times, in this book the main character’s father died when she was very young and now she lives with her mother and grandmother. To cope with the chaos of her home life and the pressures of school Zoe Lama comes up with her ‘Invisible Rules’ – guidelines that she believes are key to surviving school, and life in general. She seems to have an answer for everything, but her world begins to come unhinged as she struggles to balance friends at school, find her mother a boyfriend, and hide her grandmothers Alzheimer’s. With many different story threads, in the end, the book is about being brave but also knowing when to ask for or graciously accept help from others. Although Zoe desperately wants her grandmother to live at home, going so far as to offer to quit school and look after her grandmother full time, in the end Zoe must accept that a nursing home is the best option for her grandmother. In addition to the great story, the books quirky nature is amplified by the doodles and bold text found scattered throughout the pages.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: Alzheimer's and placing a loved one in a nursing home.
Review citation: Rosenfeld, Shelle. (2007). The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama. [Book Review]. Book List. 104(3), 54
Slagenwhite, Laurie. (2007). The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama. [Book Review]. School Library Journal. 53(8), 112.
Section source used to find the material: EBSCOhost: Children’s Core Collection (H.W. Wilson), Monroe County Public Library
Recommended age: 10 and up
Genre: Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: For single parent homes, The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama is a perfect book to help young children coping with grandparents with Alzheimer’s. Unlike other fiction books, where the young character can rely on both a mother and a father to help them through dark times, in this book the main character’s father died when she was very young and now she lives with her mother and grandmother. To cope with the chaos of her home life and the pressures of school Zoe Lama comes up with her ‘Invisible Rules’ – guidelines that she believes are key to surviving school, and life in general. She seems to have an answer for everything, but her world begins to come unhinged as she struggles to balance friends at school, find her mother a boyfriend, and hide her grandmothers Alzheimer’s. With many different story threads, in the end, the book is about being brave but also knowing when to ask for or graciously accept help from others. Although Zoe desperately wants her grandmother to live at home, going so far as to offer to quit school and look after her grandmother full time, in the end Zoe must accept that a nursing home is the best option for her grandmother. In addition to the great story, the books quirky nature is amplified by the doodles and bold text found scattered throughout the pages.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: Alzheimer's and placing a loved one in a nursing home.
Review citation: Rosenfeld, Shelle. (2007). The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama. [Book Review]. Book List. 104(3), 54
Slagenwhite, Laurie. (2007). The invisible rules of the Zoe Lama. [Book Review]. School Library Journal. 53(8), 112.
Section source used to find the material: EBSCOhost: Children’s Core Collection (H.W. Wilson), Monroe County Public Library
Recommended age: 10 and up
June 20, 2011
I'm almost finished with it I really never got to read with my busy summer!!!
November 30, 2023
This would be a great classroom book for discussion on how to deal with bullys.
November 19, 2007
Seventh grader, Zoe gets the nickname "Zoe Lama" for sharing her "unwritten rules" of social survival with the clueless kids in her school. I fail to see the connection to the Dali Lama, but then again so does she.
When Zoe's not sparing the new girl in school's reputation or juggling her two BFIS (best friend in school), she's busy at home plotting to match up her scatterbrained single mother and trying to hide the fact that her grandmother is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers.
Okay, it's weird that I am semi-psychoanalyzing a character in a childrens' book, but I think Zoe is one of those people who feels compelled to constantly give direction to the seemingly helpless people around them. It does seem that she comes from a place of concern and thankfully doesn't appear as having control issues. Maybe Zoe needs to focus more on her own needs instead of playing "spot the weakness" in her friends and family. She also has an acute phobia of balloons. I could google the technical name for that, but I won't. That would be completely unnecessary.
For seriously though, I think the conflict of dealing with an aging grandparent is so relevant for kids. I know so many people who are trying to handle the same thing (self included). I think the prevalance of Alzheimers will only continue to increase so I'm glad it's making an appearance in children's literature. Cohen doesn't gloss the issue over, and it resolves in a realistic but bittersweet way.
When Zoe's not sparing the new girl in school's reputation or juggling her two BFIS (best friend in school), she's busy at home plotting to match up her scatterbrained single mother and trying to hide the fact that her grandmother is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers.
Okay, it's weird that I am semi-psychoanalyzing a character in a childrens' book, but I think Zoe is one of those people who feels compelled to constantly give direction to the seemingly helpless people around them. It does seem that she comes from a place of concern and thankfully doesn't appear as having control issues. Maybe Zoe needs to focus more on her own needs instead of playing "spot the weakness" in her friends and family. She also has an acute phobia of balloons. I could google the technical name for that, but I won't. That would be completely unnecessary.
For seriously though, I think the conflict of dealing with an aging grandparent is so relevant for kids. I know so many people who are trying to handle the same thing (self included). I think the prevalance of Alzheimers will only continue to increase so I'm glad it's making an appearance in children's literature. Cohen doesn't gloss the issue over, and it resolves in a realistic but bittersweet way.
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com
Things are getting tough for Zoe Monday Costello. She already hates Mondays (for obvious reasons), and now that her grandma is completely losing her marbles, it seems like Mondays aren't the only days that make Zoe want to stay in bed with the covers over her head.
But, she has an obligation to show up at school every week day, ready to dispense advice upon request from her clients, everyone from her numbers one and two best friends in school (BFIS) to kids at the water fountain. Even their teacher sometimes needs a little reassurance that she's wearing the right outfit. Where would they all be without the wisdom of the Zoe Lama?
Who can resist the one girl who has all the answers and shares them freely? The girl who knows the unwritten rules of the universe? Zoe has everything we look for in a character: quirkiness, humor, charm, intelligence, and problems. Heaps of problems that keep growing and keep readers wondering what Zoe will get herself into next.
The best part of this charmer of a book is definitely the funny factor. How can readers not love a book with a chapter titled, "Sometimes Death by Puckered Parrot is Worth the Risk"?
Delve in with confidence. It'll be worth the read, guaranteed!
Things are getting tough for Zoe Monday Costello. She already hates Mondays (for obvious reasons), and now that her grandma is completely losing her marbles, it seems like Mondays aren't the only days that make Zoe want to stay in bed with the covers over her head.
But, she has an obligation to show up at school every week day, ready to dispense advice upon request from her clients, everyone from her numbers one and two best friends in school (BFIS) to kids at the water fountain. Even their teacher sometimes needs a little reassurance that she's wearing the right outfit. Where would they all be without the wisdom of the Zoe Lama?
Who can resist the one girl who has all the answers and shares them freely? The girl who knows the unwritten rules of the universe? Zoe has everything we look for in a character: quirkiness, humor, charm, intelligence, and problems. Heaps of problems that keep growing and keep readers wondering what Zoe will get herself into next.
The best part of this charmer of a book is definitely the funny factor. How can readers not love a book with a chapter titled, "Sometimes Death by Puckered Parrot is Worth the Risk"?
Delve in with confidence. It'll be worth the read, guaranteed!
December 26, 2008
Some tomes when you have read so many books about war and other unhappy events, you need a break. I picked up two young t een books looking for a respit from news filled stories of financial loss and predictions of many more job losses.
The Zoie Lama filled me with faith in our youth. She is the only child of a young widow and has a grandmother who she dearly loves but who is suffering from the beginnings of Alheismers disease. Her friends need Zoe to guide them in their choice of hairstyles, clothing and friends......she has a big job.............and with one big exception she keeps everyone around her from big disasters. I loved Zoe.
The Zoie Lama filled me with faith in our youth. She is the only child of a young widow and has a grandmother who she dearly loves but who is suffering from the beginnings of Alheismers disease. Her friends need Zoe to guide them in their choice of hairstyles, clothing and friends......she has a big job.............and with one big exception she keeps everyone around her from big disasters. I loved Zoe.
December 14, 2007
Girls have it rough
May 13, 2008
An accurate portrayal of middle school and family life with a touching ending.
June 27, 2008
my eldest daughter and I are reading this together, so far ...so good...
June 18, 2008
Brilliantly written! Bravo, Trish Cohen! A very girly and coming of age story. I felt like when I read it that I would instantly want to become friends with this girl.
July 19, 2008
I liked every aspect of this book. Zoe is the advice guru, with a soft heart. She is also looking for a husband for her mom, because Zoe's dad died when she was bitty. Great read.
July 21, 2014
I love this book so much its perfect for any girl in middle school it has amazing advise even though its in a book.
December 11, 2010
So far it is HILARIOUS! Zoe is so original and lives on chocolate chips.
August 27, 2012
We reviewed and recommended this book for our girls in Brownies and Guides, ages 7-11.
May 21, 2013
Wow, this sure is a good book! All her rules give inspiration. This book is a lot like The Friendship Matchmaker!
in-the-library
June 23, 2016it's a good book for people who want to learn how to be Dalai lama.
February 11, 2008
good book about unwritten-invisible rules
November 7, 2011
I can't really remember this book but I do remember that I didn't really like it
June 13, 2013
a cute book for a tween to read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews