Daisy Woodworm Changes the World

Daisy is in eighth grade, busy with running track, her insect collection, and hiding her lisp. Her brother, Squirrel, has Downs Syndrome, but that doesn’t stop him from working, going to school, competing in Special Olympics, and being a great friend to Daisy. Their mom lost her job, and the family hasn’t much money. Their parents have started a business cleaning up dog poop. So embarrassing! The social studies teacher assigns a project for each student to do something to change the world. Daisy wants to help her brother become a social media celebrity, something Squirrel really wants. But their parents forbid Squirrel to be on social media, fearing he will be trolled. With the help of friends, Daisy goes forward with her plan. Will this all go terribly wrong?

Melissa Hart has written a sweet story about a family facing very difficult challenges, not the least of which are Daisy’s. Hart’s experience of having a brother with Downs Syndrome and her own lisp brings authenticity. The writing is lively, the dialogue genuine, and the story and characters believable and complex. The voice of Daisy, as she tells her story filled with middle-school drama, is perfect for an 8th-grade girl.