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Reviewed by: Alicia DiFranco, Middle School Librarian Title: On Air with Zoe Washington Author: Janae Marks Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year: 2023 Series: Sequel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington Good for Grades: 5-7 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Overcoming obstacles, social justice issues Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I enjoyed From the Desk of Zoe Washington, and this book was highly recommended.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
If I ever need help, I'd want a friend like Zoe in my corner!
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Review:
Zoe Washington has helped exonerate her birth father Marcus, and he is now out of prison and working with Zoe at Ari’s Cakes. When he shares his dream of opening his own restaurant, Zoe realizes this is an opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional baker while simultaneously working alongside her father. It’s full steam ahead for Zoe as she plans to make Marcus’ restaurant a reality, but the hardships faced by the formerly incarcerated in integrating back into society may be too much for even Zoe to overcome. Can Zoe find her voice to raise awareness of this issue to not only help her father get his business off the ground, but also to change her the lives of so many others struggling to get their lives on track?
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Zoe flex her problem-solving muscles as she experiences setbacks not only in opening Marcus’ restaurant, but also in navigating complex family dynamics, changing friendships, and her own judgements regarding the incarcerated. This book (the follow up novel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington), will be a much-loved addition to any middle level library. Zoe’s story will particularly appeal to students interested in social justice issues, strong female protagonists, and with a passion for changing the world in which we live.
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