The Realm of Literacy

Well, I don't mean having a non-existant start, I just wish some tension would have happened. I mean, I understand that the Marking thing is pretty important, but without SOME sort of build up, it's just like...'Well so what?'. I mean, I don't even know where Zoey is! The U.S? Canada? The U.K? JAPAN? (What? I've heard Japan has international schools that are filled with tons of non-Japanese kids) Does this take place in modern times? Or are we in the 50's? 60's? The first chapter should be used to set up the setting a bit and introduce the protagonist. You can do that and still have an interesting first chapter, save the inciting incident for chapter two. I WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THEY AAARRRREEEEEE!!!!/whine.