Daisy, Bold & Beautiful is a delightful story about an inspiring young girl
It must be some kind of cruel trick, right? First day in a new school after moving into a cramped new place on April Fool’s Day? What middle-schooler wouldn’t be anxious? For DJ, the anxiety over her first day at Kirkland Heights Middle School proves to be largely unfounded. Her fears slowly turn into new friends, her indecision into bold action. DJ learns some really important lessons about self-advocacy and makes the best out of a situation that is far from ideal. She has a couple of positive influences in her life, including a plant named Fern with a terrific listening ear and her endlessly supportive dad. Most interesting is the beautiful Persephone, a goddess living in a lovely garden reached only in DJ’s dreams. Persephone is a very modern goddess that plays video games and uses slang. Her insights help shape DJ’s choices and stand in as a loving mother-figure.
This is no doubt a difficult time to be in the throes of adolescence. The pressure to fit in with our peers has never been greater, so DJ’s worries are totally relatable. Though her family life may look different than her friends’, DJ develops the confidence to be her own person. Daisy, Bold & Beautiful is a delightful story about an inspiring young girl. It has a smooth narrative with an easy flow, and I was shocked when I reached the end of the book and discovered that it is a debut novel penned by a young person. Ellie Collins is a tremendously talented up-and-coming author, whose star is undoubtedly on the rise.
