Fortunately, Marks capable storytelling and engaging characters also combine into a wondrous confection of a book, full of heart and hope and promise. The troubling ways race affects the characters.will facilitate important conversations about racial profiling and incarceration rates for people of color. Kirkus Reviews (starred review) This exceptionally sweet debut from Marks illustrates profound cracks in the American criminal justice system while telling an affecting story grounded in the middle-grade experience. An extraordinary, timely, must-read debut about love, family, friendship, and justice.

(Publishers Weekly, An Anti-Racist Childrens and YA Reading List) Plus dont miss Janae Markss A Soft Place to Land! Review Quotes This powerful debut packs both depth and sweetness, tackling a tough topic in a sensitive, compelling way. When Marcus tells Zoe he is innocent, and her grandmother agrees, Zoe begins to learn about inequality in the criminal justice system, and she sets out to find the alibi witness who can prove his innocence.

The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies. But with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcuss conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesnt know how to balance. Everyone else thinks Zoes worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that shes worthy of auditioning for Food Networks Kids Bake Challenge.

Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. What does a girl say to the father shes never met, hadnt heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and whos been in prison for a terrible crime? A crime he says he never committed. About the Book Avid baker Zoe Washington receives a letter on her twelfth birthday from her biological father, who is in prison for a terrible crime- Book Synopsis #1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year * An Indie Bestseller * From debut author Janae Marks comes a captivating story full of heart, as one courageous girl questions assumptions, searches for the truth, and does what she believes is right-even in the face of great opposition.

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