Daisy Woodworm Changes the World

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. Click to Preview. 

A 2022 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist

2023 IPPY Awards Silver Medalist, Juvenile Fiction

Missouri Truman Readers Award Preliminary Nominee, 2024-2025

2023 Moonbeam Awards Silver Medalist (Pre-Teen Fiction – General)

Kirkus Reviews

“Hart, who has a lisp and a brother with Down syndrome herself, sensitively explores topics such as bullying, economic hardship, and forgiveness. . . .An uplifting story of family, community, and friendship.”

Publishers Weekly

“Hart highlights the importance of disability representation and self-advocacy with thoughtful realism, and explores Daisy and Squirrel’s sibling bond with nuance.”

School Library Journal

“Readers will relate to Daisy’s worries and triumphs. Portrayals of teens with Down syndrome are sympathetic and realistic. . . .This realistic fiction title skillfully discusses a number of topics relevant to today’s young readers, and belongs in most collections.” 

Children's Literatures

“The story explores the shifting relationships between family and friends during middle and high school as well as how to love and support one another in healthy ways. Recommended for readers who enjoy books by McDunn and Messner.”