Repairing the World

A young girl grapples with her grief over a tragic loss with the help of a new perspective from Hebrew school and supportive new friends in this heartfelt middle grade novel about learning to look forward.

Twelve-year-old Daisy and Ruby are totally inseparable. They’ve grown up together, and Daisy has always counted on having Ruby there to pave the way, encourage her to try new things, and to see the magic in the world. Then Ruby is killed in a tragic accident while on vacation, and Daisy’s life is shattered.

Now Daisy finds herself having to face the big things in her life—like starting middle school and becoming a big sister—without her best friend. It’s hard when you feel sad all the time. But thanks to new friends, new insights, and supportive family members, Daisy is able to see what life after Ruby can look like. And as she reaches beyond that to help repair the world around her, she is reminded that friendship is eternal, and that magic can be found in the presence of anyone who chooses to embrace it.

Linda Epstein is a senior agent at Emerald City Literary Agency, in the east coast office. She represents novels for children and teens as well as select picture books and nonfiction projects. She likes stories that deal with issues of identity, history, sexual politics, feminism, and culture. Some of her other interests include art, food, and the environment. She’s a fan of rom-coms and monsters, too. Linda looks for the offbeat, quirky, and left of center, with bonus points given if you keep your sense of humor about it all. She is deeply committed to representing projects that give voice to work by and about marginalized people, marginalized stories, and especially BIPOC. Linda has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from The New School. Her debut middle grade novel, Repairing the World, is forthcoming in 2022. Find Linda on Twitter @LindaEpstein.