47 pages • 1 hour read
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
From the Desk of Zoe Washington (2020) is a contemporary middle grade novel by American author Janae Marks. The novel was a Junior Library Guild selection and named a “Best Book of the Year” by Parents Magazine, Book Riot, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. Built on themes of trust, forgiveness, and proving one’s capabilities, the novel also won the 2020 Cybils Award and was one of NPR’s “100 Favorite Books for Young Readers.”
This guide refers to the 2020 edition by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Plot Summary
Just home from her 12th birthday party, Zoe Washington discovers a letter from her biological father, Marcus Johnson, whom she has never met. Marcus is incarcerated. He was convicted of a murder that took place before Zoe was born. Zoe immediately hides the letter, thinking that her mother might not let her read it. Zoe does not like to think about being related to someone who committed a terrible crime; when she reads the letter, Zoe is surprised that Marcus sounds nice and caring. She does not understand his reference to his other letters to her, as this is the first letter she ever received.
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