OCTOBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks takes the listener on a roller-coaster ride in this moving middle-grade story. Joy is sick of the changes in her life. She doesn’t like having to share a room with her little sister now that her family has moved out of their house. She doesn’t like the way she can hear her parents fighting all the time in their new apartment. Parks flawlessly captures Joy's youth while giving emotional weight to her palpable tween distress. As Joy makes friends and even starts a dog-walking business, she struggles to balance her independence and responsibilities. Through it all, Parks captures Joy’s moments of strength and optimism, which have the listener cheering her on. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 08/30/2021
When her Black family moves from a house to an apartment across town after her father’s layoff, aspiring film score composer Joy Taylor, 12, assumes the worst is over. Unfortunately, her parents still argue, she must drop her beloved piano lessons, and none of her old friends have reached out to her as promised. But then she meets Nora Ramos, her cued-Latinx neighbor and new classmate, who knows everything about her new building. As the two become friends, Nora introduces Joy to the apartment building’s other kids, and they share with Joy their biggest secret: the Hideout. Relying on each other to navigate the struggles of their lives, the group grows closer—until one rainy day changes everything. Upset and feeling betrayed, Joy makes rash decisions that not only test her friendships, but threaten to oust her from her new crew entirely. If she wants to make things right again, Joy must learn a tough lesson about accountability and boundaries. At turns poignant and affirmative, this sophomore novel by Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington) imparts invaluable messages on growing up, being honest, and communicating feelings to loved ones. Ages 8–12. Agent: Alex Slater, Trident Media Group. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise for A Soft Place to Land: "A Soft Place to Land confirms Marks’ status as one of the brightest new stars of contemporary middle grade. Whereas Zoe Washington explored injustice and systemic racism, A Soft Place to Land explores class in a story-driven way that never feels heavy-handed." — BookPage
“Blending mystery with realistic fiction, Joy’s story of how complicated life is for a kid will resonate with readers in tender and poignant ways.” — Booklist (starred review)
"At turns poignant and affirmative, this sophomore novel by Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington) imparts invaluable messages on growing up, being honest, and communicating feelings to loved ones." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This relatable story touches on topics such as divorce (Joy's parents briefly separate, then reconcile), the ups and downs of having a job at a young age, and the difficulties that arise from keeping secrets from family and friends. . . There is a diverse cast of characters with different experience . . . VERDICT An engaging coming-of-age story that will appeal to a wide range of readers." — School Library Journal
"This poignant look at friendship, loss, and facing consequences hits all the right notes. It will squeeze your heart in such a special way. Marks tenderly blends mystery, compassion and the highs and lows of friendship in a perfect melody. A Soft Place to Land will have readers cheering for Joy and longing for a hideout of their very own." — Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say
“A wonderfully timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other.” — Paula Chase, author of Dough Boys and So Done
“A joyful story about the power of being kind and sticking together when life gets bumpy. A Soft Place to Land is a book that kids will love.” — Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me
“A Soft Place to Land perfectly captures how complicated it is to be a kid. Readers who have faced times of change and uncertainty of their own will recognize themselves in Joy and find hope in her courage, her ingenuity, and her fierce dedication to her friends.” — Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp
"A bittersweet story of silent perseverance and kids working for themselves." — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for From the Desk of Zoe Washington: “How could someone innocent end up in prison? With the help of her grandmother and her friend Trevor, Zoe begins to learn about systemic racism and how black people…are more likely to be wrongfully convicted of murder than white people. This powerful debut packs both depth and sweetness, tackling a tough topic in a sensitive, compelling way. An extraordinary, timely, must-read debut about love, family, friendship, and justice.” — 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. 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.” — Booklist (starred review)
"Debut author Marks seamlessly weaves timely discussions about institutionalized racism into this uplifting and engaging story that packs an emotional punch." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A smart, necessary, and hopeful middle grade debut that expertly balances a gentle, heartwarming tone with searing insight into systemic racism.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Marks delivers a spirited central character whose determination to get to the truth is admirable. An involving family story, this novel could also serve as an introduction to social justice for elementary schoolers." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Never heavy-handed, Marks’ prose is as sweet as one of Zoe’s confections. And as the icing on the cake, From the Desk of Zoe Washington imparts important lessons about judging other people, whether by the color of their skin or by their presumed guilt or innocence." — BookPage
“Marks doesn’t downplay the immense impact of mass incarceration on communities of color, but neither does she dramatize it, allowing the reader to focus, instead, on Zoe’s discovery of the amazing work of the Innocence Project, and the bittersweet blossoming of her relationship with her birth father. From the Desk of Zoe Washington tackles the complex costs of the pursuit of justice and motivates readers to feel equipped—and energized—to stand up for what’s right, right now. Readers will recognize that, like Zoe Washington, they need not wait until they grow up to make their actions count.” — Tanita S. Davis, author of Mare’s War
“A delightful confection of a novel! Zoe is a wondrous heroine who inspires a deeper love for food, family, and friends. Advocating for social justice, she creates a new recipe for a better, sweeter world. An enticing and enthralling debut from Janae Marks.” — Jewell Parker Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Boys
“A touching, tender, and absorbing read!” — Jodi Kendall, author of The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City
“With a dash of mystery, sprinkle of passion, and whole lot of heart, From the Desk of Zoe Washington has found a winning recipe.” — Coe Booth, author of Kinda Like Brothers
"[A] marvelous debut novel by Janae Marks for middle-grade readers... a compelling mystery... Marks has managed to write a middle-grade novel that explores racial justice issues and addresses the routine bias Zoe faces while also dealing with coming-of-age issues... The book serves as a valuable introduction to The Innocence Project for its target audience." — Buffalo News
“Marks has a keen eye and ear for the telling particulars of the family’s struggle to forge ahead in a new setting, and the book is sensitive to everyone’s need for a space to be alone from time to time. Fans will welcome her introduction to another determined and resilient Black tween heroine.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Lisa Moore Ramée
"This poignant look at friendship, loss, and facing consequences hits all the right notes. It will squeeze your heart in such a special way. Marks tenderly blends mystery, compassion and the highs and lows of friendship in a perfect melody. A Soft Place to Land will have readers cheering for Joy and longing for a hideout of their very own."
Kate Messner
A Soft Place to Land perfectly captures how complicated it is to be a kid. Readers who have faced times of change and uncertainty of their own will recognize themselves in Joy and find hope in her courage, her ingenuity, and her fierce dedication to her friends.
Booklist (starred review)
Blending mystery with realistic fiction, Joy’s story of how complicated life is for a kid will resonate with readers in tender and poignant ways.”
BookPage
Praise for A Soft Place to Land: "A Soft Place to Land confirms Marks’ status as one of the brightest new stars of contemporary middle grade. Whereas Zoe Washington explored injustice and systemic racism, A Soft Place to Land explores class in a story-driven way that never feels heavy-handed."
Paula Chase
A wonderfully timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other.
Rebecca Stead
A joyful story about the power of being kind and sticking together when life gets bumpy. A Soft Place to Land is a book that kids will love.”
Buffalo News
"[A] marvelous debut novel by Janae Marks for middle-grade readers... a compelling mystery... Marks has managed to write a middle-grade novel that explores racial justice issues and addresses the routine bias Zoe faces while also dealing with coming-of-age issues... The book serves as a valuable introduction to The Innocence Project for its target audience."
Tanita S. Davis
Marks doesn’t downplay the immense impact of mass incarceration on communities of color, but neither does she dramatize it, allowing the reader to focus, instead, on Zoe’s discovery of the amazing work of the Innocence Project, and the bittersweet blossoming of her relationship with her birth father. From the Desk of Zoe Washington tackles the complex costs of the pursuit of justice and motivates readers to feel equipped—and energized—to stand up for what’s right, right now. Readers will recognize that, like Zoe Washington, they need not wait until they grow up to make their actions count.
Jewell Parker Rhodes
A delightful confection of a novel! Zoe is a wondrous heroine who inspires a deeper love for food, family, and friends. Advocating for social justice, she creates a new recipe for a better, sweeter world. An enticing and enthralling debut from Janae Marks.
Coe Booth
With a dash of mystery, sprinkle of passion, and whole lot of heart, From the Desk of Zoe Washington has found a winning recipe.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Marks delivers a spirited central character whose determination to get to the truth is admirable. An involving family story, this novel could also serve as an introduction to social justice for elementary schoolers."
Jodi Kendall
A touching, tender, and absorbing read!
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Marks delivers a spirited central character whose determination to get to the truth is admirable. An involving family story, this novel could also serve as an introduction to social justice for elementary schoolers."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Marks delivers a spirited central character whose determination to get to the truth is admirable. An involving family story, this novel could also serve as an introduction to social justice for elementary schoolers."
School Library Journal
09/01/2021
Gr 4–6—When 12-year-old Joy Taylor's dad loses his job and the family has to give up their house, Joy's dreams of learning to play the piano and someday becoming a film score composer are put on hold. Their new apartment is too small, her mom and dad are fighting, and there is no money for piano lessons. A secret room in the apartment complex, known as the Hideout, provides a place where Joy and the other kids in the building can temporarily escape. Soon Joy makes new friends, starts a dog-walking business, and even begins writing to someone who is leaving heartrending messages on the wall of the Hideout. One weekend things go terribly wrong, and Joy must face uncomfortable realities about loyalty and responsibility. This relatable story touches on topics such as divorce (Joy's parents briefly separate, then reconcile), the ups and downs of having a job at a young age, and the difficulties that arise from keeping secrets from family and friends. Joy is Black, and there is a diverse cast of characters with different experiences including her new best friend Nora, who is Latinx, and a boy named Miles, who is one of only a few Black students at a private school. VERDICT An engaging coming-of-age story that will appeal to a wide range of readers.—Sue Morgan, Hillsborough City School Dist., CA
OCTOBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks takes the listener on a roller-coaster ride in this moving middle-grade story. Joy is sick of the changes in her life. She doesn’t like having to share a room with her little sister now that her family has moved out of their house. She doesn’t like the way she can hear her parents fighting all the time in their new apartment. Parks flawlessly captures Joy's youth while giving emotional weight to her palpable tween distress. As Joy makes friends and even starts a dog-walking business, she struggles to balance her independence and responsibilities. Through it all, Parks captures Joy’s moments of strength and optimism, which have the listener cheering her on. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-08
When her telecommunications professional father is laid off, Joy’s family’s relocation across town threatens to cost her more than money can buy.
Twelve-year-old Joy Taylor wants to compose music for films, but now that money is tight, her piano lessons, along with so much else, are sacrificed. They have moved from a house to apartment 3C, a small two-bedroom where she and her younger sister must share a bunk bed and the walls are so thin, her parents’ fighting keeps them up at night. Then Joy meets Nora from 5B, who lost her mother to cancer. The two girls share a love of movies, complicated home lives, and an obvious need to just get away sometimes. A cornerstone of the friendships between Joy and other kids in the building is the secret, cramped Hideout accessed through a storage closet near the laundry room. According to the literal writing on the wall, it’s been a sanctuary for generations of kids needing a space to retreat. Marks makes the necessity of this intimate space for not-quite-little-but-not-yet-big kids simultaneously plausible and disheartening. As the story progresses through various relationship trials, it’s not the tween drama that provides the most emotional resonance; rather, seeing children work so hard to make their own place in the world, forge connections, and pursue their own interests is truly inspiring—but their needing to do so in quiet corners while adults remain oblivious is terribly sobering. Joy and her family are Black; Nora is cued as Latinx.
A bittersweet story of silent perseverance and kids working for themselves. (Fiction. 8-12)
