ON AIR WITH ZOE WASHINGTON

Not being incarcerated doesn’t necessarily make you free.

It’s been two years since the determined tween at the heart of From the Desk of Zoe Washington (2020) sought answers about the unjust incarceration of her birth father. Now the Black 14-year-old is taking her journalistic skills to the airways through a podcast. As a seventh grader, Zoe worked tirelessly to determine whether the imprisoned father she had never met was innocent or guilty, ultimately helping to exonerate him. Now that Marcus has been released, Zoe feels protective and hopeful about his future. However, despite his securing a good job and a place to live, the life of an exoneree is fraught with pitfalls. Marks has written a natural, authentic story that particularly shines when she skillfully intertwines her narrative with historical information and contemporary context about the penal system. While Zoe is driven and extremely goal-oriented, Marks also includes everyday moments such as friendship insecurities and exaggerated expectations. Zoe’s relationship with Marcus and her struggle to balance her new feelings with her relationship with the beloved stepfather she calls Dad feel relatable and believable. The book starts off slowly but picks up steam and delivers a worthwhile message about perseverance, not rushing to judgment, and, most importantly, standing up for what you believe in.

A thoughtful sequel that revisits an admirable protagonist and accessibly explores challenging subjects.