My Deal with the Universe

Living in a house referred to as the “Jungle” does not help Daisy, a pre-teen struggling to find her sense of self, feel any less different than she already does. Her problems are amplified as the next-door neighbours and her own family engage in conflict, her best (and perhaps her only) friend Willow is about to leave for camp for the summer, and her brother’s cancer may be returning. Unexpected alliances and adventures bring changes to Daisy’s life this summer, and as she experiences considerable personal growth, she learns to bravely face life’s challenges. This contemporary novel is suitable for intermediate students and lends itself well to class discussions and debates about positive problem resolution and about all the facets that contribute to a healthy sense of oneself.