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Zoe in Wonderland
Coretta Scott King Honor winner Brenda Woods introduces introverted, daydream-prone Zoe, who’s afraid her real life will never be as exciting as her imaginary one.
Zoe Reindeer considers herself “just Zoe”—never measuring up to her too-perfect older sister or her smarty-pants little brother. Truthfully, though, she’d rather just blend in with the plants at the family business, Doc Reindeer’s Exotic Plant Wonderland. She does have one friend, Q, and he’s the best one ever—but he’s moving away, leaving Zoe to fend for herself, and she doesn’t know what she’ll do without him. That is until a tall astronomer from Madagascar comes to the nursery looking for a Baobab tree. His visit starts a ball rolling that makes Zoe long for real adventures, not just imaginary ones—and shows her that perhaps her first real adventure is finally beginning.
Zoe Reindeer considers herself “just Zoe”—never measuring up to her too-perfect older sister or her smarty-pants little brother. Truthfully, though, she’d rather just blend in with the plants at the family business, Doc Reindeer’s Exotic Plant Wonderland. She does have one friend, Q, and he’s the best one ever—but he’s moving away, leaving Zoe to fend for herself, and she doesn’t know what she’ll do without him. That is until a tall astronomer from Madagascar comes to the nursery looking for a Baobab tree. His visit starts a ball rolling that makes Zoe long for real adventures, not just imaginary ones—and shows her that perhaps her first real adventure is finally beginning.
196 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2016
35 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Woods
22 books70 followersBrenda Woods was born in Ohio, grew up in Southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning books for young readers include The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond (a CCBC choice and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book); the Coretta Scott King Honor winner The Red Rose Box; the ALAN Pick Saint Louis Armstrong Beach; and VOYA Top Shelf Fiction selection Emako Blue. Woods’s numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Book Award, the FOCAL International Award, and the ILA Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Award. She lives in the Los Angeles area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 12, 2016
I loved this book so much; I read it in two days. I think this book would be great for middle school girls, especially 6th or 7th grade. Most children will be able to relate to Zoe, her siblings, her relationships at school and her finding herself.
June 22, 2017
Dibs for SRP 2017, TRLers. :)
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I was totally charmed by this. Zoe Reindeer has a really strong voice, and I was in it from the first sentence.
Two of the books I considered booktalking to elementary school students in 2017 had eerily similar covers, to the point that I felt I couldn't promote both of them. This one won out after a quick assessment (the other one was Two Naomis).
I loved the planty illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. I loved her unique voice. And I was pulled through the story. I didn't see the twists coming at all. I may have shed a tear at the sad part. So good.
More. Love. Yes.
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I was totally charmed by this. Zoe Reindeer has a really strong voice, and I was in it from the first sentence.
Two of the books I considered booktalking to elementary school students in 2017 had eerily similar covers, to the point that I felt I couldn't promote both of them. This one won out after a quick assessment (the other one was Two Naomis).
I loved the planty illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. I loved her unique voice. And I was pulled through the story. I didn't see the twists coming at all. I may have shed a tear at the sad part. So good.
More. Love. Yes.
November 9, 2024
This was very well done. It has a very special place in my heart. I definitely recommend it.
June 29, 2016
A very special story about a young girl and her many special and unique relationships. Loved it!
Read
May 2, 2018this was great i loved it
September 28, 2018
Cute book. Nothing extraordinary to comment on, but it was a sweet story.
September 26, 2017
A 2018-2019 Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 4-6).
Zoe G. Reindeer loves plants, hanging out with her best friend Quincy, and the family business, Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. When a man from Madagascar asks about a rare plant that they do not carry, Zoe decides to grow one from a seed, and thus begins a season of transformation for everyone.
This is not a fast-moving book, but more of a character-study, but I really enjoyed it. I liked Zoe and her family and friends. Good for fans of realistic fiction and diverse reads.
3.5 stars.
Zoe G. Reindeer loves plants, hanging out with her best friend Quincy, and the family business, Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. When a man from Madagascar asks about a rare plant that they do not carry, Zoe decides to grow one from a seed, and thus begins a season of transformation for everyone.
This is not a fast-moving book, but more of a character-study, but I really enjoyed it. I liked Zoe and her family and friends. Good for fans of realistic fiction and diverse reads.
3.5 stars.
December 19, 2016
The setting seemed interesting, and in some ways it delivered on its intentions, but it could have been delivered in other ways, too. In the end, too much seemed forced, and too little spoke to me, even though it seems like it should have been able to. I did like some of the family relationship directions at the end, which had bothered me earlier. Overall, not a bad book, but not too exciting either.
February 18, 2024
Adorable protagonist learning lessons about life - highly recommended for middle graders and their parents as a way to open some tough conversations. There were a lot of subplots and pacing issues that made it a little challenging to connect with one main theme.
January 16, 2017
I thought that it was sad that Zoe's only friend had to move to another state.
Zoe made a new friend.
I thought that it was nice that someone brought a book
Zoe made a new friend.
I thought that it was nice that someone brought a book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2020
I read this with a couple of my students, both 5th grade girls. I liked it because the main character, Zoe, is quirky, smart, and a bit awkward. In other words, relatable to her real-life peers. She has an interest in botany and a new interest in astronomy and, as a science-focused middle school African American girl, she represents those who don't often see themselves represented.
April 4, 2021
This was a fine book, but not spectacular. I'll be interested to see what my students think of it.
December 31, 2018
In the book " Zoe In Wonderland" by Brenda Woods, there is a girl named Zoe, Zoe's brother named Harper, Zoe's sister named Jade, Zoe's mom named Gabby, Zoe's father named Darrow and Zoe's best friend named Quincy. Zoe G. Reindeer did NOT like her last name! She hated it. Everybody complains about it but nobody changes it. She especially does not like her last name when it comes around Christmas time. All of the name calling and jokes. Zoe's father, Darrow works in a plant shop that is called " Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland".
Zoe always has " Imaginary Zoe" time. It's when Zoe dreams of a whole different perspective of herself. Zoe liked to work in her dad's plant shop with him. But she was to young to control the register. Zoe was only 11 and she was getting tired of being " only 11". Her dad said she could work the register when she was 12. Zoe's grandfather was watching her while her father went to go run some erins.
The bell on the door rang and Zoe looked up. A man so tall he had to duck to get inside stood there. The tall man was wondering if they had a tree called" A baobab tree" but Zoe's grandfather checked her father's shop and they did not. It was a tree that grew in Madagascar. Then Zoe and the tall man started to talk. Then the tall man left.
Zoe and her beat friend Quincy had been best friends since kindergarten. They had always went to the same school and they are in the same grade. And the first year of middle school, there mostly in the same classes. They are the same height and they both wear glasses. They have everything in common. Quincy was the only person that could come around with Zoe's last name that Zoe wouldn't get mad about.
Quincy and Zoe were talking before they went to the movie theater. They go to the movie theatre every Saturday. Zoe hated when Quincy was right. But this time he was, Zoe thought the movie was cool. When Zoe went to her house Jade and her friend were gone. And Zoe was happy about that because Jade always makes date jokes about her and Quincy and she doesn't want Quincy to hear them. A couple minutes later Zoe and Quincy looked into the "baobab" tree.
Zoe's mom came to check on them. She asked if Quincy was staying for dinner, which he was. As everyone was eating Jade and Zoe got in a little argument that was stopped by their mom, Gabby.
Zoe was at her dad's tree shop when she found out that they are now open on Sundays. But no one would came on Sundays because nobody knew. So Zoe had a very creative and smart idea to make a sign.
Zoe had a next door neighbor names Ms. Warner. Zoe's dad says that she's more than 100 years old. But she always calls Zoe Jade. Even when Zoe reminds her that she is Zoe, Ms. Warner quickly forgets and calls her Made again.
WhenZoe walked into Quincy house Kendra, Quincy's mom had asked for a hug. Kendra was being extremely nice, which was different because Kendra is not that nice
Since Quincy's Mom was being extra nice, Quincy decided to ask his mom if he could grow a baobab tree. And she said she would pay for the seeds.
A couple of days later Zoe was going over to Quincy's house when she found out that Quincy was going to move away because a terrible thing happens to his mom, Kendra.
Zoe was extremely sad for a long time. She decided to run away from home because she was that sad about Quincy. Her Nana noticed and decided it would be fun to take Zoe to go shopping for new stuff so Zoe's attitude would change.
But her attitude definitely changed when she found out that Quincy was coming back home. But when Zoe got home she got sad and worried again because Quincy's parents split up because of there money and Zoe's parents are fighting about money.
But Zoe felt less worried when she found out that everything was ok and they weren't going to get a divorce. Zoe went back to school the next day and found out that Zoe's bully got suspended for a day for calling Zoe mean names.
So at lunch Zoe made a new friend. A boy sat with her at lunch. When Zoe thought she was ugly it like he knew what she was thinking. So out of nowhere he said "Zoe your not ugly". And Zoe didn't know if that meant she was pretty. But the boy sitting at her table became and everyday thing.
At the very end of the story Zoe and her family go's on a trip to California.
Zoe always has " Imaginary Zoe" time. It's when Zoe dreams of a whole different perspective of herself. Zoe liked to work in her dad's plant shop with him. But she was to young to control the register. Zoe was only 11 and she was getting tired of being " only 11". Her dad said she could work the register when she was 12. Zoe's grandfather was watching her while her father went to go run some erins.
The bell on the door rang and Zoe looked up. A man so tall he had to duck to get inside stood there. The tall man was wondering if they had a tree called" A baobab tree" but Zoe's grandfather checked her father's shop and they did not. It was a tree that grew in Madagascar. Then Zoe and the tall man started to talk. Then the tall man left.
Zoe and her beat friend Quincy had been best friends since kindergarten. They had always went to the same school and they are in the same grade. And the first year of middle school, there mostly in the same classes. They are the same height and they both wear glasses. They have everything in common. Quincy was the only person that could come around with Zoe's last name that Zoe wouldn't get mad about.
Quincy and Zoe were talking before they went to the movie theater. They go to the movie theatre every Saturday. Zoe hated when Quincy was right. But this time he was, Zoe thought the movie was cool. When Zoe went to her house Jade and her friend were gone. And Zoe was happy about that because Jade always makes date jokes about her and Quincy and she doesn't want Quincy to hear them. A couple minutes later Zoe and Quincy looked into the "baobab" tree.
Zoe's mom came to check on them. She asked if Quincy was staying for dinner, which he was. As everyone was eating Jade and Zoe got in a little argument that was stopped by their mom, Gabby.
Zoe was at her dad's tree shop when she found out that they are now open on Sundays. But no one would came on Sundays because nobody knew. So Zoe had a very creative and smart idea to make a sign.
Zoe had a next door neighbor names Ms. Warner. Zoe's dad says that she's more than 100 years old. But she always calls Zoe Jade. Even when Zoe reminds her that she is Zoe, Ms. Warner quickly forgets and calls her Made again.
WhenZoe walked into Quincy house Kendra, Quincy's mom had asked for a hug. Kendra was being extremely nice, which was different because Kendra is not that nice
Since Quincy's Mom was being extra nice, Quincy decided to ask his mom if he could grow a baobab tree. And she said she would pay for the seeds.
A couple of days later Zoe was going over to Quincy's house when she found out that Quincy was going to move away because a terrible thing happens to his mom, Kendra.
Zoe was extremely sad for a long time. She decided to run away from home because she was that sad about Quincy. Her Nana noticed and decided it would be fun to take Zoe to go shopping for new stuff so Zoe's attitude would change.
But her attitude definitely changed when she found out that Quincy was coming back home. But when Zoe got home she got sad and worried again because Quincy's parents split up because of there money and Zoe's parents are fighting about money.
But Zoe felt less worried when she found out that everything was ok and they weren't going to get a divorce. Zoe went back to school the next day and found out that Zoe's bully got suspended for a day for calling Zoe mean names.
So at lunch Zoe made a new friend. A boy sat with her at lunch. When Zoe thought she was ugly it like he knew what she was thinking. So out of nowhere he said "Zoe your not ugly". And Zoe didn't know if that meant she was pretty. But the boy sitting at her table became and everyday thing.
At the very end of the story Zoe and her family go's on a trip to California.
September 8, 2017
What is like to be ordinary when no one else in your family is? The most extraordinary thing about Zoe is her name--Zoe G. Reindeer. With a very popular older sister and a very intelligent younger brother, middle child Zoe struggles with her place in the family and in society. How can she be someone special?
Zoe loves spending time working in the family business: Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. However, she is now old enough to realize that the business is not exactly a financial success and there are numerous developers who would love to purchase the business and the family's home to tear them down and build condos or other facilities which would make more money. There is pressure to sell the business. Also, Zoe's best friend Quincy is facing his own family crisis which requires him to move away. So life isn't so good right now. But then Zoe meets an astronomer who works nearby but was originally from Madagascar, suddenly new possibilities arise.
Zoe lives in a rich fantasy world, but she definitely understands the difference between fantasy and reality. While she understands she can't live the fantasy, she also knows she doesn't need to settle for a life of ordinary routine.
This is one of the few books I've read where a disaster such as a fire which destroys absolutely everything turns out to be a really good thing. I think this is a book which young intermediate through middle school readers can enjoy. Zoe is a great character, and I think readers can identify with her. I know that this is an age range in which many people begin to really feel the loneliness that comes from feeling overshadowed by siblings and friends.
(18-19: 0,0,1)
Zoe loves spending time working in the family business: Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. However, she is now old enough to realize that the business is not exactly a financial success and there are numerous developers who would love to purchase the business and the family's home to tear them down and build condos or other facilities which would make more money. There is pressure to sell the business. Also, Zoe's best friend Quincy is facing his own family crisis which requires him to move away. So life isn't so good right now. But then Zoe meets an astronomer who works nearby but was originally from Madagascar, suddenly new possibilities arise.
Zoe lives in a rich fantasy world, but she definitely understands the difference between fantasy and reality. While she understands she can't live the fantasy, she also knows she doesn't need to settle for a life of ordinary routine.
This is one of the few books I've read where a disaster such as a fire which destroys absolutely everything turns out to be a really good thing. I think this is a book which young intermediate through middle school readers can enjoy. Zoe is a great character, and I think readers can identify with her. I know that this is an age range in which many people begin to really feel the loneliness that comes from feeling overshadowed by siblings and friends.
(18-19: 0,0,1)
June 26, 2017
Lovely, refreshing story with an African American 11 year old girl as the protagonist. Dreamy and prone to thinking about what "Imaginary Zoe" would do, she sometimes gets in trouble. Told from her perspective--like creating lists of what is not my fault and two things that are absolutely my fault. One that is not, is that her last name is really Reindeer and her daddy's business is really Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. She likes to putter around in the Wonderland. Her older sister is too busy making new friends and texting them on her phone and dismisses her as "Just Zoe". Her younger brother is whiz, affectionately called the "snox", sneaky and smart like a fox, and annoying. She has one best friend but then he has to move away temporarily and she is devastated. Reflects the anxieties of growing up and valuing different things. She is utterly fascinated when a really tall gentleman from Madagascar comes to visit the shop. Nice combination of sprinkling in some science, a bit of bullying, friendship, dealing with divorce, and separation from a friend. Not too heavy yet not all fluffy either. A Junie B Jones feel but for older kids and a little more substance. Recommend for ages 10 and up.
July 4, 2017
"If they gave awards for being boring, I'd get a gold medal."
Zoe G. Reindeer isn't very good at making friends. In fact, she often spends time in daydreams, or as "Imaginary Zoe," which is way more exciting. After all, her older sister, Jade, has tons of friends and younger brother, Harper, is practically a genius. How can just plain Zoe compete with that? She does, however, have one very good friend, Quincy. Quincy's interest in film-making always makes things more exciting.
And Zoe loves spending time in her father's plant nursery, Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. Here she is neatly tucked away where it's safe. It is here that she meets a man from Madagascar. He is in search of a baobab tree, but their conversation starts Zoe on a journey of self discovery. "Imaginers and adventurers can change the world." Zoe starts to realize that she is someone important. And that she is like some of the plants in Wonderland that "take longer to germinate and sprout" and blossom.
But when Quincy's mother has to deal with cancer, Quincy has to go and stay with his father, leaving Zoe all alone. How will Zoe get along without Quincy?
A delightful story about a young introvert finding her way in a world full of extroverts.
Zoe G. Reindeer isn't very good at making friends. In fact, she often spends time in daydreams, or as "Imaginary Zoe," which is way more exciting. After all, her older sister, Jade, has tons of friends and younger brother, Harper, is practically a genius. How can just plain Zoe compete with that? She does, however, have one very good friend, Quincy. Quincy's interest in film-making always makes things more exciting.
And Zoe loves spending time in her father's plant nursery, Doc Reindeer's Exotic Plant Wonderland. Here she is neatly tucked away where it's safe. It is here that she meets a man from Madagascar. He is in search of a baobab tree, but their conversation starts Zoe on a journey of self discovery. "Imaginers and adventurers can change the world." Zoe starts to realize that she is someone important. And that she is like some of the plants in Wonderland that "take longer to germinate and sprout" and blossom.
But when Quincy's mother has to deal with cancer, Quincy has to go and stay with his father, leaving Zoe all alone. How will Zoe get along without Quincy?
A delightful story about a young introvert finding her way in a world full of extroverts.
November 18, 2016
Eleven year old Zoe Reindeer is a daydreamer. She sees herself as “just Zoe,” but often spends time thinking of “Imaginary Zoe” who is talented, popular and already has her driver’s license. Between her social older sister and genius younger brother, Zoe finds herself stuck in the middle. Zoe enjoys her days at her family’s exotic plant store, and hanging out with her best friend Quincy. When an peculiar customer visits the store, Zoe is awestruck and inspired. The book follows Zoe through interesting friendships and hardships. But in the end, her family and friends are there to support each other on a new journey together.
1) Why does Zoe feel that she does not fit in with her siblings? Explain.
2) How do things change for Zoe when Quincy moves away?
3) What do the baobab seeds (trees) mean to Zoe?
4) How would “Imaginary Zoe” handle Mrs. Warner and the fire?
5) Imagine if Ben Rakotomalala had found his tree elsewhere, how would the story changed for Zoe and her family?
Woods, B. (2016). Zoe in wonderland. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books.
1) Why does Zoe feel that she does not fit in with her siblings? Explain.
2) How do things change for Zoe when Quincy moves away?
3) What do the baobab seeds (trees) mean to Zoe?
4) How would “Imaginary Zoe” handle Mrs. Warner and the fire?
5) Imagine if Ben Rakotomalala had found his tree elsewhere, how would the story changed for Zoe and her family?
Woods, B. (2016). Zoe in wonderland. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books.
June 7, 2016
I am participating in a group of Twitter friends that are reading, sharing and responding to recent middle grade novels. Hopefully, we will be able to find books that will excite the young readers in our classrooms and help us to teach important literacy skills and concepts in the coming year. Our group's handle is #BookRelays if you would like to see what we're reading and how we respond to these books.
I was very excited to dig into my first ARC as a part of this group. Nancy Paulsen was very kind to provide us with Zoe in Wonderland by Brenda Woods. The beautiful cover art drew me in right away, with its rendering of a young girl laying back and relaxing with a book in the middle of a bright green forest. I knew this would be a terrific book to kick off my "Summer of Reading"!
For my complete review, please visit: http://janatheteacher.blogspot.com/20...
I was very excited to dig into my first ARC as a part of this group. Nancy Paulsen was very kind to provide us with Zoe in Wonderland by Brenda Woods. The beautiful cover art drew me in right away, with its rendering of a young girl laying back and relaxing with a book in the middle of a bright green forest. I knew this would be a terrific book to kick off my "Summer of Reading"!
For my complete review, please visit: http://janatheteacher.blogspot.com/20...
August 4, 2017
Despite the title, Zoe in Wonderland is a realistic novel set almost entirely in California. However, it contains a bit of real magic in the guise of a South African jet propulsion lab worker, a baobab tree, and a greenhouse.
While Zoe describes herself as boring she is actually a strong character and her voice rings very true. While I sometimes chided her for not knowing some basic information (she seems young for her age), I honestly found her a bit refreshing as she is quite true to many young people we know. While on tv and in the movies they always seem to have the answers --in real life sometimes they are daydreamers, honest seekers, and just good kids.
I recommend the audiobook highly here, Sisi Aisha Johnson just SOUNDED like Zoe, it was like I was hearing the book in her own words.
While the character development is very good, the story is a bit slow to take off and may not appeal to reluctant readers or those looking for high action.
While Zoe describes herself as boring she is actually a strong character and her voice rings very true. While I sometimes chided her for not knowing some basic information (she seems young for her age), I honestly found her a bit refreshing as she is quite true to many young people we know. While on tv and in the movies they always seem to have the answers --in real life sometimes they are daydreamers, honest seekers, and just good kids.
I recommend the audiobook highly here, Sisi Aisha Johnson just SOUNDED like Zoe, it was like I was hearing the book in her own words.
While the character development is very good, the story is a bit slow to take off and may not appeal to reluctant readers or those looking for high action.
September 8, 2016
I picked up this book because of the wonderful cover. This story about an eleven year old girl dealing with self-esteem issues, loss, fitting in, and change is a universal tale. Zoe isn't confident like her older sister and isn't as smart as her younger brother. She loves to help her father in his greenhouse and being with her best, and only, friend Quincy. One day a man walks into her dad's plant shop and asks about a baobab tree. Zoe and Quincy decide to grow one of these mysterious, endangered plants. While the boabab grows, so does Zoe as she faces saying good-bye to Quincy, making a new friend, and finding peace with her family. I appreciated that Woods told her story so that Zoe could be any girl, from anywhere, and even in any time. It made her very relatable to readers. An enjoyable book.
March 30, 2020
This was a quick and easy read with endearing characters and a unique setting. Great voice. The story reminds me of a Sharon Creech novel: a quirky main character trying to find her way, living in an unusual setting, dealing with the ups and downs of life. I read a review that not much happens in this book, but I disagree. I think the character arc is plain, and one the target audience will relate to. This is not a book about an event, but a book about a life. I believe in happy endings, so I have no problem with the tidy conclusion. In fact, though there are no loose ends for a sequel, I could easily see more books about Zoe and her family. Although there is sibling disagreement, it was clear the author is not advocating rivalry, but championing a strong family unit. Can't wait to read more by this author.
June 28, 2017
If you need a good wholesome book that has a good ending then Zoe in Wonderland is for you. This book doesn't cover anything new, but it does a great job of showing the feelings a little girl who, as she puts it, is "just Zoe." Really Zoe doesn't see herself as any thing but just plain, nothing special and maybe a little weird. Like her dad she loves plants and can't imagine a life without them that is until a tall man from Madagascar walks into Wonderland and sees something special in Zoe. The one thing that stands out in this book that I think people need to take notice of is a particular instance when Zoe is being bullied in school the reaction of the teacher and her parents may surprise people who have been in this situation and found that no one really understands.
Give this book to kids who like to read, who may be bullied or just see themselves "nothing special."
Give this book to kids who like to read, who may be bullied or just see themselves "nothing special."
December 27, 2017
Woods, Brenda Zoe in Wonderland, 196 pages. Penguin Random House. 2016. $17. Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: G;
Zoe is an imaginative young girl who feels like she just can't find her place. Her family owns a plant nursery on the property where they live. One day an intriguing man comes to the nursery and changes her life and her world.
Zoe is a charming character that is full of creativity and whimsy. She is easy to relate to and makes you think about the world you live in. As Zoe takes the readers along with her, we can see she thoughts and dreams like most of us do.
EL- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Amy, Elementary Teacher.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Zoe is an imaginative young girl who feels like she just can't find her place. Her family owns a plant nursery on the property where they live. One day an intriguing man comes to the nursery and changes her life and her world.
Zoe is a charming character that is full of creativity and whimsy. She is easy to relate to and makes you think about the world you live in. As Zoe takes the readers along with her, we can see she thoughts and dreams like most of us do.
EL- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Amy, Elementary Teacher.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
July 14, 2016
When Zoe is having problems with school or siblings, her go-to spot is the Wonderland, her father's exotic plant nursery. But when faced with a snippy older sister, a sneaky younger brother, a best friend leaving on an extended visit to another town, and mean girls at school, will even the Wonderland be enough? Plus, she hears her dad and mom talking about money problems. Will they have to sell Zoe's refuge?
Despite the title, this is realistic fiction. I found the writing strong, the characters interesting, and the plot and pacing steady. I'll definitely recommend this to young readers who enjoy this sort of story.
Despite the title, this is realistic fiction. I found the writing strong, the characters interesting, and the plot and pacing steady. I'll definitely recommend this to young readers who enjoy this sort of story.
November 8, 2016
Not a lot of action, but Zoe Reindeer is an interesting and fun character to spend some time with: she has a very active imagination, but is shy and kind of lost between a pretty/outgoing sibling and a smart sibling. The family lives in the back of a plant store in Pasadena, and one day a man from Madagascar comes into the store looking for a Baobab tree, the "tree of life". Can her amazing imagination be a positive, rather than a distraction as she day dreams instead of doing chores? For grades 5-7. I put this in the "Diverse books" section because Zoe is probably black (she borrows her sister's hair straightener), but no big deal is made of it.
November 17, 2017
Definitely good for discussion. African American family, without race being a real topic - casual diversity. Zoe is very shy, but getting out of it. Family feels fairly realistic. Different kinds of smart (between Harper and Zoe and even big sister Jade - who is socially smart).
Not much plot. More a character study. A lot happens, but she doesn’t make much happen. I see how the scientist from the jet propulsion lab is necessary to get the story started, but he kept coming back and giving her books. It’s not unrealistic, exactly, but maybe unlikely, especially considering that’s how a lot of the plot-y stuff feels.
Not much plot. More a character study. A lot happens, but she doesn’t make much happen. I see how the scientist from the jet propulsion lab is necessary to get the story started, but he kept coming back and giving her books. It’s not unrealistic, exactly, but maybe unlikely, especially considering that’s how a lot of the plot-y stuff feels.
February 20, 2017
This is a realistic fiction book about an eleven year old girl named Zoe. Her dad is a horticulturalist for endangered plants. She slips into fantasyland every other minute - kind of weird - and these parts are written in italics. The plant store the family owns is called Wonderland because they have lots of unusual plants for sale. There is nothing wrong with this but it is kind of slow to start with regards to the plot. I would probably skip it. I read 3 chapters/15 pages and was ready for a nap. Reading level is around 4th-5th.
October 11, 2016
Zoe and her family live in California where her father runs an exotic plant nursery called "Wonderland." She's a bit of an outcast, but has one good friend who is leaving the area. But this isn't her only problem--her family has financial worries and she is determined to find an endangered tree. It all comes together in the end, though there are a few surprises. Good realistic fiction, with strong African American family --for grades 4-6
March 20, 2019
I'm so glad I read this. It's realistic fiction featuring a protagonist who doesn't quite know where she fits in or how to feel about that, but is never whiny. I don't want to give too much away, but Zoe must deal with making friends, losing friends, illness, and moving. I love the way everything is handled. Realistically dramatic is how I would describe it, and I would recommend it to 4th graders and up. It would also be appropriate for a strong reader in 3rd grade.
April 21, 2018
Zoe G Reindeer has an amazing imagination. She doesn't really fit in and has only one friend in the world, a boy named Quincy. Zoe has taken it upon herself to learn about an endangered tree and with the help of her friend they try to grow the trees and surprise her dad. Zoe is faced with some challenges that she must confront. Will she be unraveled by these challenges or will she rise above them? Read to find out!
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