The Faraway Truth
#1 of 2 in Zoe Washington Series
on Goodreads (13,723)
What’s inside...
From debut author Janae Marks comes a warm, wise and captivating mystery full of heart, as one girl searches for the truth in the face of great opposition. Zoe Washington never met her father, who was sent to prison right before she was born. When she receives a letter from him on her twelfth birthday, it's a huge surprise. Zoe's mom always told her that Marcus was a liar, a monster, but he sounds ... nice. Zoe starts to investigate the crime - and the deeper she digs, the more she doubts the conviction. Is her father innocent? Or is he a liar? Zoe is determined to find out.
Character compass
Zoe Washington
Trevor
Ebony
Paul
Lucy
Discussion points
What did you think about Zoe's journey to uncover the truth about her father? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think it's important for Zoe to communicate with her father, even though they've never met?
How did Zoe’s friends and family react to her decisions in the book? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
What did you learn about honesty and forgiveness from the story?
If you could ask Zoe one question, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the emotions Zoe experienced by asking them to relate those feelings to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of family, even in complicated situations, and ask your child to share what family means to them.
Highlight Zoe’s curiosity and determination, and ask your child about a time they had to be brave to uncover their own truth.
Use examples from the book to talk about trust and honesty in real life, and why these values are important in relationships.
After discussing each question, encourage your child to write or draw their thoughts in a journal to help them process the story and its themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist, Zoe, demonstrates perseverance as she seeks the truth about her incarcerated father, facing numerous challenges but never giving up.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persist in their goals despite difficulties, understanding that dedication can lead to meaningful results.
Example Lesson: Value of communication
Explanation: Throughout the book, Zoe learns to express herself and communicate effectively with her family and friends, which helps in discovering new truths and understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of open communication in strengthening relationships and resolving conflicts.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Zoe's journey educates her on the complexities of people's lives and situations, fostering a deeper empathy and understanding towards her father and others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to consider other people's feelings and viewpoints, promoting compassion and empathy in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: The protagonist’s quest involves piecing together information from various sources, which enhances her critical thinking skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to analyze information critically and make informed decisions based on their findings.
Example Lesson: Courage to face the truth
Explanation: Zoe's determination to uncover the reality of her father’s past shows her bravery in confronting potentially painful truths.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own challenges and seek truth, even when it seems daunting.