From the Desk of Zoe Washington

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Janae Marks
Katherine Tegen Books, 2020 304 pages

Grades 4-7
Realistic Fiction

It is the summer before 7th grade and Zoe is consumed with friendship dilemmas and baking. Her dream is to get on a Food Network show for kid bakers. Everything goes topsy-turvy when she receives a letter from her biological father, who is currently serving out a prison session and has never written to her before. What? Zoe knows that her mother, now remarried to an awesome stepfather, would disapprove of communication with Marcus, so she goes behind Mom’s back. Grandma catches Zoe and agrees to become a co-conspirator, even agreeing to let Zoe talk to Marcus on the phone from her house. Further complications arise when Marcus says he never committed the crime and was appointed a lawyer who did not work hard for him. Zoe digs into some research on her own and begins to believe that Marcus is telling the truth. Meanwhile, Zoe is interning for a local bakery, hoping to prove herself so she will gain permission to audition for the Food Network show. Does she have what it takes to be the next best kid baker? Can she find any evidence to help out Marcus? And what will Mom do once she finds out?

 Debut middle grade author, Janae Marks, has written one of my favorite new books of the year. Zoe is a likable and determined protagonist, yet realistically flawed. I love her chutzpah in thinking that she will be a better baker than the pros at her internship and that she takes on the case to free her biological father. What I didn't like about her is the sneaking behind her mother's back and the stubbornness she displays in some of her relationships. This makes her a well-rounded and realistic character who kids will relate to, especially tweens, who suddenly find their parents annoying and have a desperate need for privacy. It is refreshing to see a character whose parent is in prison and this will bring comfort to readers who can relate. Bakers will enjoy the story as well and will set out to create their own cupcake recipe, as Zoe does. Another plus is the book will expose kids to music that maybe they have never explored, as Marcus sends a new song with every letter. I know it encouraged me to check out a few. The author's website (janaemarks.com) offers some fun extras, including a recipe for Zoe's cupcakes and a playlist of the music. There is much to delve into within the pages of this book and I plan on using it with my elementary book club as December’s selection.