Thirteen-year-old Daisy Woodward loves insects, running track, and hanging out with her older brother, Sorrel, who has Down syndrome and adores men's fashion. When her social studies teacher assigns each student a project to change the world for the better along with an oral report, Daisy fears the class bully--who calls her Woodworm-- will make fun of her lisp. Still, she decides to help Sorrel fulfill his dream of becoming a YouTube fashion celebrity despite their parents' refusal to allow him on social media. With the help of her best friend Poppy, and Miguel--the most popular boy in school and her former enemy--Daisy launches Sorrel's publicity campaign. But catastrophe strikes when her parents discover him online along with hateful comments from a cyberbully. If Daisy has any hope of changing the world, she'll have to regain her family's trust and face her fears of public speaking to find her own unique and powerful voice. With the help of her best friend Poppy, and Miguel--the most popular boy in school and her former enemy--Daisy launches Sorrel's publicity campaign. But catastrophe strikes when her parents discover him online along with hateful comments from a cyberbully. If Daisy has any hope of changing the world, she'll have to regain her family's trust and face her fears of public speaking to find her own unique and powerful voice.
Melissa Hart's writing is focused on kids and parents, with a particular interest in marginalized communities. Melissa lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her husband and teen daughter. She grew up in Southern California with her brother, who has Down Syndrome, and spent a decade working as a special education teacher. She teaches for the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University with a focus on MG/YA Literature. Daisy Woodworm Changes the World is her second novel.
