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Zoe Washington series

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The Zoe Washington series is a series of middle grade novels by Janae Marks, consisting of the following books: From the Desk of Zoe Washington (2020) and On Air with Zoe Washington (2023). Several outlets included From the Desk of Zoe Washington in their list of the best children's books of 2020. It is also slated to be adapted into a film by Disney Branded Television.[1]

From the Desk of Zoe Washington (2020)

From the Desk of Zoe Washington was published January 14, 2020 by Katherine Tegen Books. It has also been adapted into an audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin.[2]

Critical reception

From the Desk of Zoe Washington was generally well received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[3] Kirkus Reviews,[4] Publishers Weekly,[5] and School Library Journal.[6]

Booklist's Shaunterria Owens highlights how "Marks tells this story of forgiveness and redemption in a way that will make sense to tween readers without being patronizing or overly complicated. The troubling ways race affects the characters ... will facilitate important conversations about racial profiling and incarceration rates for people of color. Fortunately, Marks’ capable storytelling and engaging characters also combine into a wondrous confection of a book, full of heart and hope and promise."[3]

Kirkus Reviews called the novel "an extraordinary, timely, must-read debut about love, family, friendship, and justice."[4]

Publishers Weekly writes, "Debut author Marks seamlessly weaves timely discussions about institutionalized racism into this uplifting and engaging story that packs an emotional punch. Zoe is a relatable tween, with friendship and familial frustrations that will resonate with readers."[5]

School Library Journal's Elizabeth Giles called the book "a smart, necessary, and hopeful middle grade debut that expertly balances a gentle, heartwarming tone with searing insight into systemic racism."[6] Giles recommended it for readers who enjoy Lisa Ramee’s A Good Kind of Trouble and Kekla Magoon’s The Season of Styx Malone.[6]

Awards and honors

Both the book and audiobook editions of From the Desk of Zoe Washington are Junior Library Guild selections.[7][8]

The Chicago Public Library,[9] Kirkus Reviews,[10] Parents,[11] School Library Journal named From the Desk of Zoe Washington one of the best middle grade novels of 2020,[12] and Booklist included it on their 2020 "Top 10 First Novels for Youth" list.[13] Bank Street College of Education also included the novel on their list of the best books of 2021.[14]

Awards for From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Year Award Result Ref.
2020 Cybils Award for Middle Grade Fiction Winner [15]
2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Middle Grade & Children's Nominee [16]
2020 New England Book Award for Middle Grade Finalist [17]
2021 Agatha Award for Children's/Young Adult Mystery Nominee [18][19]
2021 ALSC Notable Children's Books Selection [20][21]
2021 ALSC Notable Children's Recordings Selection [22]
2021 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [23]
2021 Anthony Award for Best Juvenile / Young Adult Nominee [24]
2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Finalist [25]
2022 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Finalist [26][27]

Film adaptation

In August 2021, Disney Branded Television announced they would be adapting From the Desk of Zoe Washington into a full-length film directed by Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone.[1]

On Air with Zoe Washington (2023)

On Air with Zoe Washington was published February 14, 2023 by Katherine Tegen Books.

Critical reception

In their review, Booklist's Aryssa Damron highlights how "Marks captures the exuberance and energy of early teens in her prose and delicately balances Zoe as a likable protagonist."[28] Kirkus Reviews called the novel "a thoughtful sequel that revisits an admirable protagonist and accessibly explores challenging subjects."[29] School Library Journal referred to it as "a delightful and inspiring read."[30]

References

  1. ^ a b Leiber, Sarah Jae (2021-08-18). "Disney Branded Television Developing Original Movie FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON". Broadway World. Archived from the original on 2021-11-26. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  2. ^ "FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON by Janae Marks Read by Bahni Turpin | Audiobook Review". AudioFile Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  3. ^ a b Owens, Shaunterria (2019-11-15). "From the Desk of Zoe Washington". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ^ a b "From the Desk of Zoe Washington". Kirkus Reviews. 2019-09-15. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  5. ^ a b "From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks". Publishers Weekly. 2019-10-30. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  6. ^ a b c Giles, Elizabeth (2020-01-17). "From the Desk of Zoe Washington". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  7. ^ "From the Desk of Zoe Washington (Audiobook) by Janae Marks". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  8. ^ "From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  9. ^ ChiPubLib_Kids. "Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2020". Chicago Public Library. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  10. ^ "Best of 2020". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  11. ^ Meredith Corporation (2020-11-10). "PARENTS Magazine Names The Best Children's Books Of 2020". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  12. ^ Beasley, Emily; Blair, Monisha; Speight, Myiesha; Williams, Ashleigh; Worley, Taylor (2020-11-23). "Best Middle Grade Books 2020 | SLJ Best Books". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  13. ^ Smith, Julia (2020-11-01). "Top 10 First Novels for Youth: 2020". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  14. ^ "The Best Children's Books of the Year, 9-12" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  15. ^ "2020 Cybils Winners". Archived from the original on 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  16. ^ "From the Desk of Zoe Washington (Zoe Washington, #1)". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  17. ^ "Awards: New England Finalists". Shelf Awareness. 2020-07-24. Archived from the original on 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  18. ^ Schaub, Michael (2021-03-29). "Nominees for Agatha Awards Are Revealed". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on 2021-03-29. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  19. ^ "The Agatha Award Nominees". Poisoned Pen Press. 2021-03-27. Archived from the original on 2022-12-24. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  20. ^ "Notable Children's Books: 2021". Booklist. 2021-03-15. Archived from the original on 2022-01-16. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  21. ^ Schulte-Cooper, Laura (2021-03-30). "ALSC names 2021 Notable Children's Books". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  22. ^ Schulte-Cooper, Laura (2021-02-17). "ALSC announces 2021 Notable Children's Recordings". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  23. ^ "2021 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2021-01-04. Archived from the original on 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  24. ^ "Anthonys 2020 - 2022". Bouchercon. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  25. ^ "Congratulations to the Winners of the 2021 Edgar Awards". CrimeReads. 2021-04-29. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  26. ^ "2022 Master List Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Illinois Children's Choice Award" (PDF). Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  27. ^ ChiPubLib_Kids. "2022 Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees". Chicago Public Library. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  28. ^ Damron, Aryssa (2023-01-06). "On Air with Zoe Washington". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  29. ^ "On Air with Zoe Washington". Kirkus Reviews. 2022-12-24. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  30. ^ Cronce, Tracy (2023-03-01). "On Air with Zoe Washington". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
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