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alliemikennareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really liked this middle grade read. It has rich details, interesting characters, and age appropriate conflict between friends that’s totally believable. I loved Zoe’s character. The mixture of the storylines with her baking passion, friendship with Trevor, and the letters to Marcus were perfectly interwoven. Each was shown equal attention and this book covered a lot of topics really well in my opinion.
I felt like this book handled the topic of systemic racism and wrongful conviction in a really age-appropriate way that offers an opportunity for young readers to learn and understand what it would be like to be in Zoe’s situation. The narrative style brings you along while letting you get inside Zoe’s head and it’s so well written.
I really enjoyed reading this as an adult and would absolutely recommend it to fellow adults who love middle grades and to middle school level readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Book deals with the topic of systemic racism and wrongful imprisonment. It does included a reference to the n-word (but doesn’t include the word itself).peachani's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, and Murder
sammieiris's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
cyrinw98's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Death
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Bullying
hansbookshelf's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
citymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
Minor: Racism
Wrongful imprisonmentaimzthereader's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A very very well done middle grade book that hits on very hard topics.
Zoe receives a letter from her father who she never met because he is in prison, she is trying to help prove his innocence.
The book covers this difficult topic very well. You falll in love with all the characters and you are captivated to see what will happen next
Zoe receives a letter from her father who she never met because he is in prison, she is trying to help prove his innocence.
The book covers this difficult topic very well. You falll in love with all the characters and you are captivated to see what will happen next
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Racism
perpetualpages's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CWs: Some instances of bullying, racism, allusions to racial slurs, some brief (non-graphic) references to murder
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Murder
anacereading's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Racism
moonchildreads's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON by Janae Marks is about 12-year-old Zoe. Over the course of a summer, Zoe grapples with friendship troubles, an exciting baking internship, and secretly writing letters to her incarcerated father who she’s never met.
This middle grade book tackles really tough topics in a thoughtful and sensitive way. The characters are so lovable, and I found myself unable to put this book down! This story is hopeful, powerful, and full of growth.
This middle grade book tackles really tough topics in a thoughtful and sensitive way. The characters are so lovable, and I found myself unable to put this book down! This story is hopeful, powerful, and full of growth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Racism