Reviews

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

beatniksafari's review against another edition

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5.0

An absolutely delightful story combining themes as diverse as baking and wrongful convictions. Zoe and her family are terrific characters. I will recommend this book to my middle school students.

cgaray09's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

shade_gomes's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

fallingletters's review against another edition

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4.0

Brief thoughts originally published 9 Oct. 2020 at Falling Letters.

- The second book I read this year where a kid is reading Reynolds’ Ghost

sandlerpage's review against another edition

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3.0

Lots of potential, but just too heavy-handed in its moral-of-the-story vibe.

cskylar's review against another edition

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5.0

Wonderful story!

sbojo32's review against another edition

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4.0

This was an enjoyable middle grade fiction book. Told from the perspective of 12-year-old Zoe Washington, this does deal with some heavy topics (her biological father is in prison for murder and she doesn't know if he is innocent or not), but also some real middle grade stress that anyone can relate to. She overhears someone that she considers a friend saying something behind her back to fit in that is negative toward her and has to deal with that and confront her friend.

She keeps things from her parents and has to understand why they keep things from her as well. One of her best friends is moving away. All while Zoe is trying to improve as a baker and try to figure out if her father is innocent from the crime he committed because he has an alibi.

I don't love the armchair detective plot point, but I get it.

ssinforshort's review against another edition

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4.0

Middle grade books are becoming some of my favorite books to read.

I read this not knowing what it was about because the cover is so cute. But I definitely enjoyed it.

Even though some things that happen aren't the most realistic, I don't care. Real life can be very bleak and reading a book that gets a happy ending is needed.

My only issue. Discussion of using the N word from a respectability stand point.

beths0103's review against another edition

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5.0

A wonderful middle grade novel that delves into the world of the wrongly convicted in both a gentle way but also in a way that pulls no punches. Highly recommend for classroom and school library collections.

tusky's review against another edition

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4.0

Actual rating: 4.5 Stars