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A review by librariandest
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
4.0
Zoe Washington is pretty naive about the criminal justice system. She believes everyone in prison is guilty, including her father. He was incarcerated before Zoe was born so she has never interacted with him at all. Her life is full and happy; she likes baking and hanging out with friends. It’s not until she unexpectedly comes into contact with him that she starts to feel the absence of her biological dad.
This story will be very approachable for most kids, even though it’s about a heavy topic, namely the failings of our criminal justice system. (There is discussion of a murder which could be intense for some young readers.) Overall I was impressed by the engaging writing and how the plot unfolded.
Mild spoiler:
It’s all neatly done, ending with reassurances that feel a little too good to be true, but fit within the tradition of kid heroes and happy endings in children’s literature.
This story will be very approachable for most kids, even though it’s about a heavy topic, namely the failings of our criminal justice system. (There is discussion of a murder which could be intense for some young readers.) Overall I was impressed by the engaging writing and how the plot unfolded.
Mild spoiler:
It’s all neatly done, ending with reassurances that feel a little too good to be true, but fit within the tradition of kid heroes and happy endings in children’s literature.