Fans of middle grade fiction, rejoice! ONE AIR WITH ZOE WASHINGTON is another fantastic novel from Janae Marks -- the kids at my library LOVED this one! This author can do no wrong.

A sequel is a brave endeavor, especially when following up a book as good as From the Desk of Zoe Washington. I’m happy to share that this sequel was just as good as the first book! The sequel felt very natural. Readers follow Zoe’s relationship with her dad now that he’s been released from prison, the changing dynamic with her best friends, and her continued desire to be an innovative baker.

I appreciate that Marks books never feel didactic, and yet readers learn so much about what life is like for individuals who have been incarcerated. I would gladly read a third book about Zoe!

I enjoyed the first one and had high hoped for this one, but for some reason, I just didn't enjoy it as much. I feel like there was more at stake in the firstbook making it a more intense read. Either way, I did purchase both books for my library.

This was FANTASTIC. I knew I would love it because I loved its predecessor. What I love is that it shows kids you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter your age. I love that it doesn’t shy away from real topics and hard truths. I love that Zoe wanted to help others in whatever way that looked like. It was just so amazing. Another 10/10.

Zoe is such a determined, precocious kid, and you can't help but want to see her accomplish what she wishes to! This is such a delightful follow-up to From the Desk of Zoe Washington, which is one of my favorite Middle Grade novels of all time, and I am glad we get to realistically see what the characters from book one are up to now. I found Zoe's voice a bit less compelling in this book compared to the first one, but this was still enjoyable!

I thoroughly enjoyed From the Desk of Zoe Washington, and the second “season” of Zoe’s adventures proved to be just as fun.

Zoe and Marcus are reunited, but life isn’t as easy and simple as Zoe thought it might be. Marcus is exonerated, but Zoe quickly realizes that anyone who spent time in prison for any reason doesn’t get a true second chance. Zoe’s activism and determination will continue to inspire young readers.

This is another must-have in my classroom library. Physical copies are already on order.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tegen Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the second installment of Zoe Washington.

Yay for On Air with Zoe Washington, the sequel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington!! these books are great reads and I was excited to add #2 to our library catalog!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

This book is amazing. Janae Marks is able to capture such beautiful relationships and personalities in her books and I am so glad I was able to read the next book in Zoe Washington's story. In this sequel, Zoe's biological father, Marcus, has been released from prison and exonerated from the crime for which he was incarcerated. He quickly learns the difficulties that befall a formerly incarcerated person and his dream of opening his own restaurant becomes more and more of a distant reality. Zoe and her community show up and show that people who have been incarcerated deserve kindness, respect, and support.

I love Zoe. She has a vision and she takes action. It was another great story for her. I did get a little worried when she gave her phone number out and started to hang out with a girl that heard her on the radio. I thought that could have gone wrong. All in all. Good book for all middle grade shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the DRC.

It connected to the first book well, so I wasn't lost on what had happened. But I just feel like the characterization of Zoe was rushed. She was incredibly impatient and immature, something that I wouldn't expect from someone who had helped get her father out of jail. On top of that, she feels very selfish. Wanting her friends not to date and her biological father to open up a bakery (despite knowing that it would take a lot of money to do so).

I didn't get very far, because I was so turned off by Zoe's character.

The sequel to “From The Desk of Zoe Washington”. Very satisfying follow-up to the first one; only wish the author had included recipes for all the yummy desserts mentioned! I hope there’s a third one to this series; Zoe is a wonderful character whom I’d love to read even more about.

I was very nervous about reading this book, only because the first Zoe Washington was such absolute perfection. Could the second live up to it? Thankfully, I'm here to tell you yes! I really think Marks has a talent for exploring real life, serious issues (e.g., re-entering society after a wrongful conviction, rebuilding relationships between family) in ways that are developmentally appropriate for her audience. She never skirts around the difficulty, but she also includes enough family, friends, and plot to bring hope and drive the story forward. I can't wait to add this to our collection.

I really enjoyed this follow up to "From the Desk of Zoe Washington." Marks stayed true to Zoe's character, a girl who when she makes a goal, she sticks to it and doesn't let anything get in her way. I loved how Marks showed her learning and growing still, changing her opinion on possibly working with all formerly incarcerated people not just those who had been exonerated, like her father.I also loved seeing the way that in addition to the big issues, Zoe also dealt with things like changing friend relationships. I highly recommend.

“On Air With Zoe Washington” is a solid sequel to “From the Desk of…” which shows the difficulties faced by ex-cons as they try to reintegrate into society, even when they were wrongfully convicted. I would gladly read a third story of Zoe and her family!

A great follow up to the first. Zoe is a fun, relatable character and this a great way to do a mystery without it being too spooky or a Halloween type theme for MG. Happy that this series keeps going, it has been a hit with my crew so far and I am glad to get to share the next one with them!

Excellent, excellent, excellent.

From the viewpoint of an adult: this writing is thoughtful, intentional, and a fantastic sequel. The first book in the series was great, and this one is no different.

We have a character who is fully fleshed out (as well as the supporting characters), who's dreams are clear and understandable, and who is a joy to read about.

I think the children who this is intended for will find inspiration in a character who is young and yet confident, and a story that is fun.

This sequel was just as amazing as the first book, which is really saying something! This story explores Zoe’s relationship with her dad, as he’s finally been released from prison. Post-prison life is a struggle for so many families, and it’s rarely portrayed in kids books, and I appreciated Marks’ gentle honesty. The baking subplot was cute and fun, and overall a fun read. Middle grade readers will love this one.

It's a good book and I liked the MC for this one. Also I enjoyed the last book by this author so it was nice to read from her again.

A father-daughter’s loving journey through food, helping others, and a daughter’s voice.

On the Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Marks is the second in the Zoe Washington Series and is a beautiful story of a daughter determined to help her father live his dream. Zoe wants to help her newly released father to fulfill his dream of having his own restaurant. She plans to be his pastry chef and they will hire formerly incarcerated people. The downside is that it’s not that easy to open a restaurant. Will they succeed in their dream?

This story was so good. It had lots of things to love about it. One, it is a story of people of color who have struggled through things that were not their fault, and recovering from that. Marcus represents such a deep example of what a lot of Black men have gone through over the years. I love that he wants to work with formerly incarcerated people, so he can help them. Finally, I love that this is ultimately a father-daughter story. It was also expressed in a way that younger audiences can absorb and understand.

I highly recommend this novel! It is filled with lots of real life experiences that will educate and motivate readers.This is for 12+ readers. It’d be best to read the first novel,

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of On the Air with Zoe Washington from Janae Marks via NetGalley