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ambersbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Zoe is my new favorite character.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Racism
Additional CW: Murder, jail/prisonbooksinthemountains's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I've been wanting to read this one for awhile. I am firmly of the belief that good middle grade fiction can be as good as an adult novel and I like to curate lists for when my niece and nephew get older or if I have my own children. So this one has been on my mind awhile, so I finally got a hold from my library.
Here's our set-up: Zoe Washington just turned 12 and besides for fighting with her best friend Trevor, it is a great day. Then she finds a letter in the mail from her birth father, Marcus, who is in jail for a murder. Zoe with the guidance of her grandmother begins to write to her and learns more about the criminal justice and that our justice system is far from fair to the Black community.
As a New Englander (or newbie at least), I liked that racism was specifically called out in Boston because our little liberal haven is not perfect and it's a good reminder. As far as the book I loved it and I would hand it to my children. I found the story compelling and the characters lovable. I think some of the issues people will have with the book is that it all occurs behind the parents back (Zoe's mom does not want her talking to Marcus), but I think that the mom is stubborn (more about jealousy it seems) in a way that you can't blame Zoe really. I read a lot of people is that Zoe is overly naive, but she's 12. I felt sometimes she read under 12 but I liked that she was naive and learned in the book, most 25 year olds don't understand our racist legal system let alone 12 years olds.
I would recommend reading this if you like middle grade, if you're not a big middle grade reader you might feel this is a bit immature but I think it accomplished it's goal and I really liked it.
Here's our set-up: Zoe Washington just turned 12 and besides for fighting with her best friend Trevor, it is a great day. Then she finds a letter in the mail from her birth father, Marcus, who is in jail for a murder. Zoe with the guidance of her grandmother begins to write to her and learns more about the criminal justice and that our justice system is far from fair to the Black community.
As a New Englander (or newbie at least), I liked that racism was specifically called out in Boston because our little liberal haven is not perfect and it's a good reminder. As far as the book I loved it and I would hand it to my children. I found the story compelling and the characters lovable. I think some of the issues people will have with the book is that it all occurs behind the parents back (Zoe's mom does not want her talking to Marcus), but I think that the mom is stubborn (more about jealousy it seems) in a way that you can't blame Zoe really. I read a lot of people is that Zoe is overly naive, but she's 12. I felt sometimes she read under 12 but I liked that she was naive and learned in the book, most 25 year olds don't understand our racist legal system let alone 12 years olds.
I would recommend reading this if you like middle grade, if you're not a big middle grade reader you might feel this is a bit immature but I think it accomplished it's goal and I really liked it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
Wrongful Incarcerationpucksandpaperbacks's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Really great debut. Zoe is inquisitive and has a passion for baking. I wished that she had gone to the Kids Baking Championship because that was the main reason I picked it up . She bakes a whole lot and even comes up with her own recipe. I read this in one day and it was very addictive to read. Zoe read just like a 12-year old dealt with microaggressions - stares from strangers bc her step-father is white - and Janae talks about systemic racism in Boston and how most Black men go to jail for a crime they didn't commit and have life in jail.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Death
ezraaa's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an extremely important story about a huge glaring flaw in the justice system in America and this book perfectly explains it for young readers. The important message is interspliced with fun baking shenanigans and lighter messages about friendship. I would not hesitate to recommend this book. The only thing that I wanted more from this book was it to explain why Zoe's mother did what she did, I think her actions could've been fleshed out more to show how different people react to that situation and why she did what she did in more specific terms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Bullying and Death
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