Solving Zoe [Hardcover]

Barbara Dee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up

Zoe Bennett feels lost at her fancy private school.

She's not the star drama queen like her sister, or a brainiac math genius like her brother. Luckily her best friend, Dara, is just as content as Zoe is to stay in the shadows -- or is she? When Dara gets a part in the school musical, Zoe feels abandoned. What's worse, Zoe's practically being stalked by the weird new kid, Lucas. Then Lucas accidentally drops his notebook and Zoe finds it's written in symbols and numbers -- it's complete gibberish. Yet she sees her name in there, plain as day. Now Lucas is telling her she's a natural code-reading genius -- or some kind of mental freak.

As Zoe's daydreaming lands her in trouble at school, anonymous notes start to appear in students' lockers, and Zoe is the number one suspect. Solving word puzzles may come easily to her, but now there's more at stake -- will Zoe be able to solve her way out of this?

With plenty of wit and insight, Barbara Dee has created this fresh, funny story of a girl who discovers that fitting in sometimes means standing out.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Solving Zoe is funny, fast-paced, smart, and totally absorbing, with a twist of intrigue that will keep you reading past bedtime. Barbara Dee's a terrific writer." -- Frances O'Roark Dowell

"...this vivid middle-school novel offers readers plenty to think about." -- Booklist

"Zoe's reactions are believable, and readers will follow along as she gains confidence and tries to figure out what she wants and where her passion lies." -- School Library Journal

A Girls Life magazine Top 100 Must Read!

About the Author

Barbara Dee is the author of the tween novels Just Another Day in my Insanely Real Life, Solving Zoe (2010 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year), This Is Me From Now On, and Trauma Queen. She lives with her family in Westchester County, New York. You can visit her on the web at www.BarbaraDeeBooks.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416961283
• ISBN-13: 978-1416961284
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,040,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Dee's fourth novel for tween readers, TRAUMA QUEEN (Aladdin MIX/Simon & Schuster) was published in April, 2011. She's thrilled that Discovery Girls magazine calls it "a laugh-out-loud look at family and friendship" and that Girls Life named it a "Must Read." Barbara is also the author of JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MY INSANELY REAL LIFE (Publishers Weekly starred review), SOLVING ZOE (2010 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year), and THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON. You can visit her on the web at www.BarbaraDeeBooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 22, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solving Zoe (Hardcover)

Gold Star Award Winner!

Zoe is eleven years old and has been going to the same school all of her life, Hubbard School.

This school isn't a regular school, but one for extraordinary students. Zoe's older sister and brother both go there, as well. Her sister is an amazing actress/singer and her brother is a math champion. Ever her little brother, Spencer, goes to pre-school there.

Zoe is having problems figuring out how she fits into the scheme of things at the school. Her grades are slipping and she and her best friend, Dara, are growing apart. Enter in a new student named Lucas. Lucas is weird, but he's also a code-reading genius. He takes a liking to Zoe and through some time spent together, Zoe finds out that she has a

code-reading gift, too.

I really loved this story about growing up and finding where you belong. I actually believe that we go through this process many times in our lives. Even when you get older you may find yourself at loose ends and have to find yourself all over again. I have been going through that process recently since I now have an empty nest.

Anyway, this story is great. The characters are very lovable and you wish they were your friends. Zoe's family is supportive and loving but can be annoying also, especially the two brothers. I found that to be very realistic.

If you want a good book that will both interest you and entertain you, then pick up SOLVING ZOE by Barbara Dee.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book!, May 9, 2009

By 

middle school mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solving Zoe (Hardcover)

As a the mother of a middle school student, I like to read what my daughter is reading. I read Solving Zoe, and I absolutely loved it! I thought the characters were terrific, and I raced through the book the first time because I had to know how things were going to turn out for them. I loved the ending, but I don't want to write too much about it because it was very original and imaginative and I don't want to spoil it for anyone else. Then I read the book a second time, much more slowly, figuring out the codes that are found throughout the text -- fascinating! I think this book would make a fabulous gift for a middle schooler, and I very much recommend it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solving Zoe, May 7, 2009

By 

J. Hoffman (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Solving Zoe (Hardcover)

Although this book is for teenagers I found it fascinating as an adult.

Barbara Dee's descriptions of her characters and their motives and thoughts were quite insightful and beautifully written.

The subject of the origin of codes and cyphers and the behavior of lizards was extremely interesting.

I think it is wonderful to be able to recommend this book to my teenaged grandchildren because is entertaining and educational.