We are thrilled to be revealing the cover for Melissa Hart’s upcoming middle grade novel, Daisy Woodworm Changes the World! Releasing on November 8th 2022 from Jolly Fish Press, read on to discover the cover, synopsis, and what Melissa thinks of its cover!
Daisy Woodworm Changes the World is available to pre-order on Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound, and pre-orders directly from Jolly Fish Press and North Star Editions currently have 30% off all Fall release pre-orders using code Fall2022 and free shipping when you spend over $100.
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.
Melissa Hart on her stunning cover: “For the cover of DAISY WOODWORM CHANGES THE WORLD, we wanted a realistic-looking design that conveyed the protagonist’s twin passions for running and entomology. Illustrator Elena Bia created a gorgeous illustration, and perhaps the first middle-grade cover ever to feature a Madagascar hissing cockroach! The gold medal that Daisy’s holding could either be one that she’s won, or one awarded to her older brother for Special Olympics track and field. What I love most about this cover (aside from the cockroach) is Elena’s use of color—the oranges and blues capture Daisy’s vibrant energy and optimism and determination to change the world for the better.”
Cover Credits: Illustrator – Ofride, Illustrator’s Agency – Astound, Designer – Maggie Villaume
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
