#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 * 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. "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") Plus don't miss Janae Marks's A Soft Place to Land!
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About the author
Janae Marks
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington
by Janae Marks
Books Like From the Desk of Zoe Washington
If you're looking for books similar to From the Desk of Zoe Washington, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
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A powerful young adult novel about Starr Carter, who witnesses the police shooting of her childhood friend. The book addresses systemic racism, police brutality, and the importance of speaking out, paralleling Zoe's pursuit of justice for her father.
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A powerful novel about racial injustice told through the eyes of a young Black boy. Jerome, killed by a police officer, watches his family's grief and struggles from the afterlife. The book explores themes of systemic racism, justice, and empathy, similar to Zoe's quest for truth and understanding of the criminal justice system.
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A powerful novel about Justyce, a Black teenager confronting racism and systemic injustice. The book explores racial profiling, identity, and social activism, paralleling Zoe's quest for understanding and fighting for her father's innocence.
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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A classic novel about a Black family's struggle against racism in the Depression-era South. The book explores themes of resilience, family, and fighting against injustice, similar to Zoe's determination to uncover the truth about her father.
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A novel about Jade, a Black teenager navigating race, class, and opportunity. The book explores personal growth, mentorship, and finding one's voice, similar to Zoe's journey of self-discovery and challenging societal expectations.
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Front Desk
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A heartwarming story about Mia, a young Chinese immigrant who helps her parents manage a motel. The book addresses immigration, family struggles, and standing up for others, echoing Zoe's themes of perseverance and social justice.
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A story about three sisters who spend a summer with their estranged mother in Oakland during the Black Panther movement. The novel explores family dynamics, social justice, and personal growth, resonating with Zoe's quest for understanding and truth.
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A historical fiction novel about a young Black girl in the segregated South. The book explores themes of courage, community, and fighting against racism, resonating with Zoe's determination and sense of justice.
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