Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mudder17 's review for:
On Air with Zoe Washington
by Janae Marks
4.5 stars
I really loved this follow-up to the first book, which charts her life after Marcus is exonerated and they continue building their relationship together. Some things I loved about this book:
1) Zoe's continued love of food and how it draws the people in her life together, but also the role it plays in motivating her to seek justice for the exonerated and later for the formerly incarcerated.
2) That Zoe had to go through a journey just like we do in learning about the challenges that both the exonerated and the formerly incarcerated folks face. I especially appreciated the discussions she had with Marcus and the speakers at her event. I liked that it wasn't just automatic that Zoe jumped on board, but that she (and her parents) talked through and came around to realizing that even those who were convicted rightfully can be good people and need a chance to change their lives and that many times, crime was a last resort that got them to where they did.
3) Speaking of those who were convicted--I really appreciated Hannah's story and her perspective and I loved that Marks took us through her pain and anger with her mom and how Zoe was able to help her open up a path to communication. I also liked that Hannah was able to work through this not just with her conversations with Zoe, but also with the help of a therapist. I really do hope we continue seeing the friendship (and something more?) between them grow and develop and that her other friends Maya and Trevor, end up becoming friends with Hannah.
4) I loved that even as she spent more time with Marcus, she realized she wanted to continue making room in her life for her dad and that they ended up having some good discussions about it. For those who have multiple parental figures that mean something to them, this was a good part of the story. I love Zoe's dad, both in the first book and in this one, and even though he doesn't have a lot of screen time in either book, the moments in which he appears are meaningful and really add to who Zoe is.
5) I loved how Zoe worked through her feelings about Maya and Trevor in a realistic way. There may have been SOME jealousy, but I think it was more about feeling like she was going to lose something. And even though she initially pulled back and didn't talk to them about it, I like that she stopped herself from doing anything rash (even if she thought about it) and took the time to process her feelings and then eventually speak to each of them alone. I love that the friendship between the three of them is one that is full of honesty and love, and they just want to find the best way to support each other.
6) I loved that instead of just saying no to something like the podcast, her mom decided to jump in and help her with the recording and the edits, to make sure that things were done in a safe way. Similarly, I loved that Marcus supported her desire to help him by making suggestions, but never telling her what she should do. I loved that her parents, Marcus, and Grandmother all did what they could to support her (and talk her down when she needed it) but never outright told her she could or couldn't do something. If they thought something was unsafe, they would tell her so, or they would point out if something might not work, but ultimately, they let her make many of the decisions.
One thing I thought could have been done better:
I was a little bit uncomfortable with the fact that she shared something personal about herself (where she worked) and this was left in the podcast. I know it was part of the plot so that Hannah was able to find her, but still, she is a minor (not even a teen) and I would think there would be laws against revealing personal information about minors on a public broadcast.
Overall, I loved this book and I know many of my students will as well! I can't wait for the next book! I hope there will be a next book because Zoe has a lot of things to say!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really loved this follow-up to the first book, which charts her life after Marcus is exonerated and they continue building their relationship together. Some things I loved about this book:
1) Zoe's continued love of food and how it draws the people in her life together, but also the role it plays in motivating her to seek justice for the exonerated and later for the formerly incarcerated.
2) That Zoe had to go through a journey just like we do in learning about the challenges that both the exonerated and the formerly incarcerated folks face. I especially appreciated the discussions she had with Marcus and the speakers at her event. I liked that it wasn't just automatic that Zoe jumped on board, but that she (and her parents) talked through and came around to realizing that even those who were convicted rightfully can be good people and need a chance to change their lives and that many times, crime was a last resort that got them to where they did.
3) Speaking of those who were convicted--I really appreciated Hannah's story and her perspective and I loved that Marks took us through her pain and anger with her mom and how Zoe was able to help her open up a path to communication. I also liked that Hannah was able to work through this not just with her conversations with Zoe, but also with the help of a therapist. I really do hope we continue seeing the friendship (and something more?) between them grow and develop and that her other friends Maya and Trevor, end up becoming friends with Hannah.
4) I loved that even as she spent more time with Marcus, she realized she wanted to continue making room in her life for her dad and that they ended up having some good discussions about it. For those who have multiple parental figures that mean something to them, this was a good part of the story. I love Zoe's dad, both in the first book and in this one, and even though he doesn't have a lot of screen time in either book, the moments in which he appears are meaningful and really add to who Zoe is.
5) I loved how Zoe worked through her feelings about Maya and Trevor in a realistic way. There may have been SOME jealousy, but I think it was more about feeling like she was going to lose something. And even though she initially pulled back and didn't talk to them about it, I like that she stopped herself from doing anything rash (even if she thought about it) and took the time to process her feelings and then eventually speak to each of them alone. I love that the friendship between the three of them is one that is full of honesty and love, and they just want to find the best way to support each other.
6) I loved that instead of just saying no to something like the podcast, her mom decided to jump in and help her with the recording and the edits, to make sure that things were done in a safe way. Similarly, I loved that Marcus supported her desire to help him by making suggestions, but never telling her what she should do. I loved that her parents, Marcus, and Grandmother all did what they could to support her (and talk her down when she needed it) but never outright told her she could or couldn't do something. If they thought something was unsafe, they would tell her so, or they would point out if something might not work, but ultimately, they let her make many of the decisions.
One thing I thought could have been done better:
I was a little bit uncomfortable with the fact that she shared something personal about herself (where she worked) and this was left in the podcast. I know it was part of the plot so that Hannah was able to find her, but still, she is a minor (not even a teen) and I would think there would be laws against revealing personal information about minors on a public broadcast.
Overall, I loved this book and I know many of my students will as well! I can't wait for the next book! I hope there will be a next book because Zoe has a lot of things to say!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.