On Air with Zoe Washington

January 15, 2023
Not being incarcerated doesn't necessarily make you free. It's been two years since the determined tween at the heart of From the Desk of Zoe Washington (2020) sought answers about the unjust incarceration of her birth father. Now the Black 14-year-old is taking her journalistic skills to the airways through a podcast. As a seventh grader, Zoe worked tirelessly to determine whether the imprisoned father she had never met was innocent or guilty, ultimately helping to exonerate him. Now that Marcus has been released, Zoe feels protective and hopeful about his future. However, despite his securing a good job and a place to live, the life of an exoneree is fraught with pitfalls. Marks has written a natural, authentic story that particularly shines when she skillfully intertwines her narrative with historical information and contemporary context about the penal system. While Zoe is driven and extremely goal-oriented, Marks also includes everyday moments such as friendship insecurities and exaggerated expectations. Zoe's relationship with Marcus and her struggle to balance her new feelings with her relationship with the beloved stepfather she calls Dad feel relatable and believable. The book starts off slowly but picks up steam and delivers a worthwhile message about perseverance, not rushing to judgment, and, most importantly, standing up for what you believe in. A thoughtful sequel that revisits an admirable protagonist and accessibly explores challenging subjects. (Fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 6, 2023
Grades 5-8 Zoe Washington, along with her newly exonerated birth father, returns in this upper-middle-grade novel about balancing your passions, finding your voice, and overcoming prejudice. When Marcus mentions his dream of opening a BBQ restaurant, idea girl Zoe is off to the races. But getting a loan isn't easy for someone with no credit score or work history due to incarceration. Zoe and Marcus must find a way to make their dreams come true--even if they have to change--all while Zoe learns that while not everyone who was incarcerated is innocent, they still deserve a second chance. This is a novel of family and a timely discussion of justice issues, also interwoven with middle-school-friendship changes, a ton of sweet baking, and a lovely podcast element that will get readers excited about sharing their own passions with the world. Marks captures the exuberance and energy of early teens in her prose and delicately balances Zoe as a likable protagonist--one with room to broaden her horizons.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2023

Gr 4-6-Now that Zoe has seen her biological father, Marcus, exonerated and released from prison, she is determined to get to know him better. Balancing her job as a cashier at a cupcake shop with the changing status of her two best friends, Maya and Trevor, isn't easy. Once Zoe learns about Marcus's dream to open his own restaurant, she is committed to helping him make it happen. Starting her own podcast to spread the word about people who've served in the prison system seems like a good way to inform people about how individuals can change and the challenges they face once released. She also hopes that her podcast will raise some much-needed funds to help Marcus realize his dream. It's a delicate balance for Zoe and she struggles to find exactly her place in so many important people's lives. VERDICT A delightful and inspiring read.

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.