D.J. and her dad moved far from the small town and only home she ever knew. Now she’s starting middle school in the city with kids she’s never met. She tries to make friends, but they all appear to be slaves to screen time. D.J. just likes to garden, nurturing plants, watching them grow and thrive. It seems she’ll never find a way to fit in, but then she awakens in a gorgeous garden where she … meets Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She must be dreaming; her new friend can’t possibly be real—and what could she know about getting along with gamers? D.J. really needs some ideas, or she might never find her own place in a complicated world.
Daisy, Bold & Beautiful is the debut novel of middle-schooler Ellie Collins, daughter of award-winning author Stephanie Collins. Boys and girls alike will appreciate Ellie’s keen eye for the challenges of growing up that she and her friends must face. Discover the wonderful writing of Ellie now, then follow her to learn about her writing and more books to come.
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Daisy Bold & Beautiful is a fun, quick read that ‘tweens will love. It deals with many of the issues that every child can identify with: starting middle school in a strange city, trying to make new friends, and being afraid you won’t fit in. But it delves deeper. What if all the cool kids at your new school invited you to join the popular clique, but their interests differed wildly from your own? What if your three new BFF’s were expert gamers, talking about the latest strategies 24-7–and you didn’t even own a television set?
Daisy is a lovable ‘tween who faces all of these challenges when she moves with her single dad to a new city, right before the beginning of her first year in middle school. Shy Daisy is immediately welcomed into the popular girls’ group, but is scared to admit she’d rather be planting seeds and growing beautiful flowers than punching buttons on a complicated handset and shouting at a screen. Then the Goddess of Spring, Persephone, enters Daisy’s dreams, teaching her life lessons while offering advice. The two discuss everything from asking a cute boy in Science class to the dance, to finding the courage to face your fears and develop self-confidence.
Daisy Bold & Beautiful teaches young readers wonderful life lessons without ever being preachy. Kids who read this book will learn that you don’t have to change who you are to fit in. That you should stand up for yourself and your beliefs, while also learning to compromise. That there’s a life beyond playing video games, like enjoying the great outdoors and planting a secret garden. The then eleven-year-old author, Ellie Collins, did an amazing job of integrating these themes within a fast-paced and entertaining story.
What a delightful and heartwarming book!
It’s a book written by a ten-year-old! It is far beyond my expectation; I have to admit. The plot is well developed with a profound meaning. It recounts the story of a young girl’s anxiety in her first week in a new town, attending a new school and trying to fit into a group of newly acquainted friends amidst her sorrow of losing her mother in recent months.
The author’s mature writing is illustrated in the idyllic garden scenes, the depiction of the girl’s emotional dread, and the resolve of overcoming self-doubt and being herself. It’s ingenious to seamlessly incorporate the characters of Greek mythology into the narrative to convey the essence of the story.
This book is not only good for mid-school age but also suitable for older ones, even an adult. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good read and find a dose of fantasy and inspiration.
“Daisy, Bold & Beautiful” is a sweet story geared for 9 to 12-year-old readers. Ms. Collins tells the story of a young girl D.J. who moves to a new town with her father, after her mother’s death. She has to start a new school and make new friends. It’s well-written and I could sympathize with her getting onto the bus knowing no one and heading for a new sixth grade experience. D.J. quickly makes friends and learns about herself along the way. I loved the relationship between father and daughter as well as her new friends. What makes this story so interesting is what happens when she goes to bed and her experiences in another realm. This book for middle grade readers drew me in, but the amazing part was it was written by a middle grade writer! This is a children’s book I highly recommend and a new author I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!