The Invisible Rules of Zoe Lama

The Invisible Rules of Zoe Lama. By Tish Cohen. Penguin, 2007. 208 pages.  Tr. $15.99 ISBN 978-0-525-47810-2

Summary: Crowned as a guru by a recess monitor when she dispelled a bully during kindergarten, the advice of Zoe Monday Costello continues to inspire countless students and teachers. Zoe’s advice is readily accepted by her seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Patinkin, on everything from picture days to dealing with obstreperous students. Others run to Zoe in the hall, questioning her about friendships, boys, and fashion. Zoe is also called upon to help with her grandmother deal with her Alzheimer’s, and to keep this information from her overworked single mother. She is adamant that she will not allow her grandmother to live in a nursing home. However, she’s worn thin with homework, counseling, and her involvement as the chairgirl for the Winter Dance Committee. Does she have what it takes to balance this incredible workload?

Critical Review: Zoe’s rules will have tween girls laughing non-stop. Her compassion and empathy for others makes her a superb role model, as does her appreciable confidence and self-esteem. Tish Cohn deals with difficult issues like Alzheimer’s disease with aplomb, in a manner that speaks to young readers. Zoe’s grandmother is eventually placed in a nursing home, however, Zoe’s mother patiently explains the necessity of this step and the nature of her mother’s disease. Tweens with unconventional (i.e. single parent families) will relish Cohen’s heroine and will look for other books within the series.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Reading/Interest Level: 11-14 years

Reviews: Booklist (2007, October 1); School Library Journal (2007, August 1)

Series: Zoe Lama Series

Similar Materials: Tish Cohn’s The One and Only Zoe Lama; Marrissa Moss’s “Amelia” series

Subjects/Themes: multigenerational families; single-parent families; Alzheimer’s disease; school and education; interpersonal relations; parents; grandparents; mothers and daughters; friendships

Character Names: Zoe Monday Costello; Susannah Barnes; Laurel Sterling; Riley Sinclair; Mrs. Patinkin; Massie Robbins; Brianna Simpson; Smartin Granitstein

Author Website: http://www.tishcohen.com/

Brief Annotation: A seventh-grade girl functions as her school’s guru, and also compassionately contributes her senile grandmother’s well being.