From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

by Janae Marks

From 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. 

Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. 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?

A crime he says he never committed.

Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. 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.

But 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. The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies.

Reviewed by Kat @ Novels & Waffles on

3 of 5 stars

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From the Desk of Zoe Washington is a charming Middle Grade novel about a twelve-year-old girl who discovers that her birth father might've been wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Confronted with the reality of injustice for the first time, Zoe decides to take a stand and uncover the truth.

The story artfully spotlights the flaws of the American criminal justice system, as well as the importance of persevering, even when success seems improbable. Relevant topics such as systematic racism and racial profiling are delicately explored in a way that is accessible to younger readers and adults alike.

Although there were aspects of the plot that felt a bit far-fetched to me (an adult), I don't believe the target demographic (twelve-year-olds) will feel the same.

All in all, this is a vibrantly powerful debut with a lot of heart that proves no matter your age, you can make a real difference in the world.

...

{ALSO, this is like the fourth or fifth Middle Grade novel I've read where the main character is a girl who loves to bake. Is baking all the rage now among the twelve-year-olds? Asking for a friend.}

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 13 April, 2020: Finished reading
  • 13 April, 2020: Reviewed