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Solving Zoe
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.
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.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2009
19 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
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.
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.
April 24, 2017
2.5 Personally, I think this book was just kind of weird.... I would probably have been better if if was written in first person because I loved Barbara Dee's Just Another Day in My Insanely Real Life which is the only reason that I bought this book
March 16, 2018
I- *wipes tears* have NEVER given a book 2 stars, but this- this was needed. I DNFed this book so hard it scared me. I just got to the middle of it and knew I couldn't. It seemed to drag on and on......... half of it didn't make sense.
November 29, 2009
If you've ever struggled to figure out where you belong, if you've ever wondered why everyone else seemed to be more talented than you, or if you've ever felt ignored and betrayed by your friends (and especially if all of this encapsulates your middle school experience), this might be the book for you.
March 25, 2012
I am liking it, but I don't think it will appeal to your average student reader... However private school, advanced readers and those who feel outcast will glom onto Zoe... I enjoyed the bits about codes and ciphers, but was not crazy about the end which seemed a bit anticlimactic... Odd little book...
April 28, 2019
Solving Zoe is about a girl named Zoe who is starting to feel abandoned by her best friend. Her best friend is starting to get really into acting and being on stage but Zoe wants to stay in the shadows. That is until she picks up a boys notebook for him and sees all sorts of weird letters and symbols written all over it. She also sees her name written plain as day on one of the pages. Shortly after seeing the boys notebook everyone starts receiving strange notes in their lockers. Zoe is the main suspect. Will she be able to get herself out of this? I gave this book 4 stars because the sentences in the book are complex and are intriguing. This leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next. There are no pictures but there is great detail to paint a picture in the reader's mind. The language is appropriate for a third or fourth grade reader!
October 12, 2018
I really liked this book because Zoe's personality was very strong and didn't let people bother her easily. I don't like her "friend" Dara because she doesn't treat Zoe very nicely and I don't really like Leg or Paloma's personality because they are the bullies in the story and aren't nice to Zoe. Lucas was my favorite character because he let you wonder what he was thinking or what he is going to do next.
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December 31, 2021this book made preteen-age me OBSESSED with ciphers. i thought i was so cool for knowing about them :')
September 15, 2023
Cute story about changing friendships, sibling relationships and ciphers. Dee’s later writing is tighter and more authentic, but I still enjoyed Zoe’s story.
March 13, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book! It might be closer to a 4.5, but it brought me back to simpler times so I had to round up. I think this would be a great book for kids to read.
April 9, 2009
Zoe Bennett’s older sister and brother both have special talents and gifts. In fact they all go to a private school for gifted or special students. A new school year puts thirteen-year old Zoe in the Middle Division of Hubbard School. It’s now expected that she find a direction in her schooling and life. Her classmates are all starting to recognize their individual talents. Even her best friend, Dara, has discovered her talent and desires for her future and is drifting away from Zoe.
The sad thing is, Zoe isn’t feeling special at all. Zoe is just floundering and doodling her way through classes as Dara and most of her classmates forge ahead. She can’t see that she has any unique talents. Until a new student arrives.
Lucas is an annoying know-it-all. Yet Zoe’s a bit intrigued and baffled by him. He’s annoying, yes, but different in a curious way. If Zoe were being completely honest, she’d also admit (without frustration or sarcasm) that he’s a genius at deciphering hieroglyphics and codes. A bit of time spent with Lucas and Zoe finds she does have a gift. She can cipher codes, too. Lucas says she’s a natural cryptanalyst and that scares her.
Trouble and accusations lead to Zoe having a couple of weeks off from school. It’s during this time that Zoe finds she really might have a gift for codes and it doesn’t have to be creepy or scary. She just has to develop it and be passionate about it.
We’re given a peek at a turning point in Zoe’s life. I was riveted by Zoe and the changes and challenges coming at her one after another and how she did or didn’t deal with them. She’s a special girl and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
Between the pages of Solving Zoe is an insightful and thought-provoking story that eases the sting of growing pains with wit and understanding. It will touch you and make you smile, and, if you’re a mom or dad reading this along with your child, it might bring back memories. Unfortunately, some things just haven’t changed.
Barbara Dee is an "extra-ordinary" author. Every young girl should be lucky enough to read one of her books.
Connie
The sad thing is, Zoe isn’t feeling special at all. Zoe is just floundering and doodling her way through classes as Dara and most of her classmates forge ahead. She can’t see that she has any unique talents. Until a new student arrives.
Lucas is an annoying know-it-all. Yet Zoe’s a bit intrigued and baffled by him. He’s annoying, yes, but different in a curious way. If Zoe were being completely honest, she’d also admit (without frustration or sarcasm) that he’s a genius at deciphering hieroglyphics and codes. A bit of time spent with Lucas and Zoe finds she does have a gift. She can cipher codes, too. Lucas says she’s a natural cryptanalyst and that scares her.
Trouble and accusations lead to Zoe having a couple of weeks off from school. It’s during this time that Zoe finds she really might have a gift for codes and it doesn’t have to be creepy or scary. She just has to develop it and be passionate about it.
We’re given a peek at a turning point in Zoe’s life. I was riveted by Zoe and the changes and challenges coming at her one after another and how she did or didn’t deal with them. She’s a special girl and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
Between the pages of Solving Zoe is an insightful and thought-provoking story that eases the sting of growing pains with wit and understanding. It will touch you and make you smile, and, if you’re a mom or dad reading this along with your child, it might bring back memories. Unfortunately, some things just haven’t changed.
Barbara Dee is an "extra-ordinary" author. Every young girl should be lucky enough to read one of her books.
Connie
August 6, 2021
The book somehow felt incomplete, and half the time had me thinking "Why should Zoe have a talent?" I mean, what on earth made her parents put her at that school in the first place? Did they expect all kids to just bloom in that system and start showing special skills? Would it have been so bad if Zoe was just an average kid?
August 25, 2011
Zoe Bennett attends Hubbard School, an incredibly forward-thinking institution for extremely gifted students. Problem is: Zoe hasn't found her incredible gift yet, much to her chagrin. You see, her theatrically talented older sister, Isadore, and mathematical genius of a brother, Malcolm always seem to shine in the family. Even Zoe's best friend and kindred spirit is slipping away now that she's found her gift.
Along comes Lucas Joplin, loner and oddity. He deciphers codes and cyphers...and not just for fun. Experts and scientists all over the world come to him for help. Zoe is intrigued, but is she curious enough to befriend this reclusive boy? The answer comes when Zoe quickly, and without thinking, solves one of Lucas's codes. He is amazed! And, Lucas is pleased he has found a comrade. Zoe tries to deny it, at first, but then becomes intrigued.
This is happening all the while she is struggling with keeping up in school, pet-sitting for a whole mess of lizards and geckos, and standing off in the corner, trying to avoid the star-power of her siblings. Slowly, Zoe comes to regard Lucas as a friend, as well as Signe, who is Lucas's guardian (and one of Hubbard's most eccentric teachers). Then, just when she is coming into her own 'gift', the rug is pulled out from under her when Lucas tells her he is packing it up and moving to Guatemala to study codes with his parents.
Solving Zoe is more than a story about school or friendship...it is about finding one's gift, one's passion and realizing that each and every one of us has something to contribute, even if we are the only ones to recognize it.
Along comes Lucas Joplin, loner and oddity. He deciphers codes and cyphers...and not just for fun. Experts and scientists all over the world come to him for help. Zoe is intrigued, but is she curious enough to befriend this reclusive boy? The answer comes when Zoe quickly, and without thinking, solves one of Lucas's codes. He is amazed! And, Lucas is pleased he has found a comrade. Zoe tries to deny it, at first, but then becomes intrigued.
This is happening all the while she is struggling with keeping up in school, pet-sitting for a whole mess of lizards and geckos, and standing off in the corner, trying to avoid the star-power of her siblings. Slowly, Zoe comes to regard Lucas as a friend, as well as Signe, who is Lucas's guardian (and one of Hubbard's most eccentric teachers). Then, just when she is coming into her own 'gift', the rug is pulled out from under her when Lucas tells her he is packing it up and moving to Guatemala to study codes with his parents.
Solving Zoe is more than a story about school or friendship...it is about finding one's gift, one's passion and realizing that each and every one of us has something to contribute, even if we are the only ones to recognize it.
March 27, 2009
Solving Zoe was really cute. The plot and the characters made the book really fun.
What I liked best about Solving Zoe was Zoe, the main character. She had a ton of character and I thought it was interesting that she was extremely good at ciphers. I tried looking at them and solving them...no such luck. Haha. Anyway, I thought Zoe was pretty in-depth person. She is really creative and I really liked that color code where 4=blue and so on [4 is the only one I remember:].
And Lucas, he is a genius. Omg. There were some parts where I don't believe that he's only a 6th grader. Sometimes he seems really mature and grown-up but other times when he seems like what he is - a 6th grader. Like the part where he puts notes in people's locker because he wanted to show others what he thought of them. It was pretty immature but then again, there were times when he's a genius. Like trying to solve Mayan codes for his parents - things that no one could ever do.
This book is for a fun, relaxing, short read. So if you have time, pick this book up and learn about ciphers. :)
What I liked best about Solving Zoe was Zoe, the main character. She had a ton of character and I thought it was interesting that she was extremely good at ciphers. I tried looking at them and solving them...no such luck. Haha. Anyway, I thought Zoe was pretty in-depth person. She is really creative and I really liked that color code where 4=blue and so on [4 is the only one I remember:].
And Lucas, he is a genius. Omg. There were some parts where I don't believe that he's only a 6th grader. Sometimes he seems really mature and grown-up but other times when he seems like what he is - a 6th grader. Like the part where he puts notes in people's locker because he wanted to show others what he thought of them. It was pretty immature but then again, there were times when he's a genius. Like trying to solve Mayan codes for his parents - things that no one could ever do.
This book is for a fun, relaxing, short read. So if you have time, pick this book up and learn about ciphers. :)
January 28, 2010
I loved this book a lot. Zoe was a character that I could easily grow to love because she is both believable and ease to connect to. Zoe also had troubles that are common today, growing apart with friends. Almost everyone experiences it, some more often than others. But Zoe also learns a lot about herself in this book.
My friend Lizzy is actually Barbara Dee's daughter and so after I read this we talked on and on about it. We both compared our separate color number systems and laughed when other of our friends gawked at what we were talking about. We've gotten a lot closer since. Anyway, the color system was awesome and I love how it added some mystery and history into the book. I think Barbara Dee did an exceptional job on this book.
I got both Barbara Dee and Lizzy to sign it. Lizzy signed it saying "Look! I'm famous!" and Barbara wrote that she hoped I would like it.
My friend Lizzy is actually Barbara Dee's daughter and so after I read this we talked on and on about it. We both compared our separate color number systems and laughed when other of our friends gawked at what we were talking about. We've gotten a lot closer since. Anyway, the color system was awesome and I love how it added some mystery and history into the book. I think Barbara Dee did an exceptional job on this book.
I got both Barbara Dee and Lizzy to sign it. Lizzy signed it saying "Look! I'm famous!" and Barbara wrote that she hoped I would like it.
August 27, 2012
Pages 1, 27, 112, 120 and 156 contain a character's exclamation of either, "Oh, God" or ohmygod or "God". In the USA there are over 247 million Christians, over 6 million Jews and over 2.6 million Muslims. Christians and Jews are admonished in Exodus 20:7 to "not take the Lord's name in vain", in fact, Exodus 20:7 also states the Lord will not leave unpunished the man who misuses His name. Muslims, likewise, honor the name of God. The author's decision to take the Lord's name in vain will influence young readers to do likewise. Such guidance from the author is disappointing and should be reconsidered by the author in subsequent works.
August 11, 2012
Think it might be a little mature for 4th graders (maybe end of the year) just in terms of relating to the main character, but I would love this for 5th graders (as it's about 6th). It handles social issues and popularity in a realistic, not over-the-top stereotypical way I thought was nicely done, as well as self-identification and confidence. Plus the use of ciphers and codes would definitely lure some kids (me) in; I know one of my kids last year started using one of them occasionally for fun.
February 20, 2015
I started this book thinking it would be a realistic fiction/chick lit type book for middle schoolers. I guess if I had read the summary on the back, I would have known. Even though it didn't start off as I expected, I still ended up enjoying the book, although the ending wasn't what it could have been. It just kind of ended. I think Dee could have elaborated a bit more on the whole cracking the Mayan code thing, but I guess it leaves it open for another book. It would be fun to have Lucas come back.
November 30, 2009
This has a theme similar to so many I have recently read. Zoe starts middle school and realizes things change. Boys become interested in girls. What made this book so different from my other recent reads is that Zoe loves breaking codes. This was an okay book for me but not something I would re-read. It was well written but not a topic I could really sink my teeth into. I will recommend this to my ESOL class because we just finished a couple of stories that involved codes.
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May 31, 2010I enjoyed the codes and ciphers and thought that the main character was well-drawn. However, I had one issue with the book that I feel the need to point out: Zoe has an after school job tending lizards for an owner who, supposedly, knows what a lizard is. The book mentions salamanders and newts, which are amphibians, not reptiles and certainly not lizards.
This may sound picky, but it's the type of error that bothers me--and one that kids are likely to notice.
This may sound picky, but it's the type of error that bothers me--and one that kids are likely to notice.
August 2, 2011
Solving Zoe is an amazing book and I loved how Zoe is like a pride kid, eccentric, quirky (don't know if they mean the same thing) and sees things in a different way. She has a different sort of talents and interests all together than her "perfect" family and doesn't fit in at her arts school, often bringing shame to her family but through mysterious guys, teachers, and babysitters, Zoe can help unwravel codes from the beginning of time using her unique colour theory.
February 10, 2014
Zoe, a sixth grader, is suddenly feeling a bit lost at the excusive private school she has attended her whole life. Her best friend, Dara, is in the school play and making friends with the popular crowd, while Zoe feels left behind. Zoe meets up with a strange new boy and discovers she has a natural talent for cryptography. It seems this school is glad to encourage any talent and they all live happily ever after. The ending is nearly that abrupt.
July 1, 2017
Zoe, whose brother is a mathematical genius and whose sister sings and acts, is having trouble finding her passion at her school for gifted students. Lucas, a strange new student, takes an interest in Zoe and her interaction with her "best friend." He soon tries to convince Zoe that they're not really her friends any more.
April 7, 2009
I loved this book! It was funny, touching and unusual. The main character, Zoe, was very likeable. Her family was funny and realistic,I thought the school she went to was cool, and I also loved all the secret code stuff. Fun to read and different.
April 20, 2009
This book was really good!!! It was very well written, and I was captivated from the beginning!!
This book was full of fun facts about codes and cyphers, and it really described social scenes well!!
This book was full of fun facts about codes and cyphers, and it really described social scenes well!!
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April 28, 2011Zoe just wants to be normal but just like in every day life no one is really normal. This is a great book for intermediate students simply because of the fact that they need to know that normal does not really exist.
January 14, 2012
Zoe is an eleven year old girl who is trying to find herself in a family of really smart and talented brothers and sisters. To make matters even worst, her school is full of smart and talented students. Life gets really interesting for Zoe finds Lucus's notebook, and her name is in it. JC
May 19, 2012
I liked the story, and the quirky school was an enjoyable setting. however, the book felt unresolved, as though a few chapters were missing. At times Zoe frustrated me by not sharing her thoughts with anyone.
July 10, 2017
This is a odd book for kids 9-13. It is very educational but the plot is original. The whole idea of a girl baby-sitting a lizard, who soon befriends a brainiac who solves ancient writings, is not the average everyday- read.
April 27, 2009
It is really good. I loved how Zoe was a natural code-reader and how the numbers 1-9 had colors. I love "The Zoe Special", Tuna and Lay's. Now I want "The Zoe Special."
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