06/28/2021 / Review

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Zoe Washington is a twelve year old girl who stumbles upon a letter addressed to her from a person she knows little about- her birth father. 
After enjoying a wonderful twelfth birthday celebration, Zoe Washington comes home to find the day's mail on the table. Kicking off her shoes and flipping through the mail looking to see if her great aunt 's birthday card arrived, she comes across a letter addressed to her from the Massachusetts State Penitentiary! The name "Marcus Johnson" was written above the prison's name. It was a letter from Zoe's convict birth father Marcus, whom she had never heard from before- or so she thought. Wanting to read the letter, but knowing her mom  would most likely take it away, Zoe hides it in her pocket until she can get up to her bedroom. There she reads the letter and the story begins to unfold.

Marcus is Zoe's birth father and has been in prison for a crime he claims he didn't commit. Zoe's grandma had given her the only picture she had of her father, and it was from when her mom and Marcus were in high school. Grandma and Zoe's friend Trevor help Zoe on her quest to connect with Marcus and help find the truth to help free Marcus.

From The Desk of Zoe Washington  is a story of family, perseverance, and love. 

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Kathleen Palmieri

Kathleen Palmieri is a National Board Certified Teacher, a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Learning Facilitator, and a fifth grade educator in upstate New York. She reviews professional texts and is an educator researcher and writer. As a writer with a passion for pedagogy, Kathleen's focus is on education practices, and strategies, as well as her own experiences as an educator. Educator well being is a priority, thus the name "Mindful Teaching Moments". Mindfulness along with knowledge is important. She has presented at math conferences, writing workshops, actively collaborates in literacy projects, and networks globally. 
KathleenPalmieri.com

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