from the desk of zoe washington book cover

Fortunately, Marks’ capable storytelling and engaging characters also combine into a wondrous confection of a book, full of heart and hope and promise.” - Booklist (starred review) The troubling ways race affects the characters…will facilitate important conversations about racial profiling and incarceration rates for people of color.

'This exceptionally sweet debut from Marks illustrates profound cracks in the American criminal justice system while telling an affecting story grounded in the middle-grade experience. An extraordinary, timely, must-read debut about love, family, friendship, and justice.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “This powerful debut packs both depth and sweetness, tackling a tough topic in a sensitive, compelling way. Plus don't miss Janae Marks's A Soft Place to Land! 'When Marcus tells Zoe he is innocent, and her grandmother agrees, Zoe begins to learn about inequality in the criminal justice system, and she sets out to find the alibi witness who can prove his innocence.' ( Publishers Weekly, 'An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List') The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge.īut with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcus’s conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesn’t know how to balance.

Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime?Ĭould Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. #1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year * An Indie Bestseller *įrom debut author Janae Marks comes a captivating story full of heart, as one courageous girl questions assumptions, searches for the truth, and does what she believes is right-even in the face of great opposition.

From the desk of zoe washington book cover