Friendship Friendship Book Cover Design (Featuring brown hair, blonde hair, and lockers)

Visuals: An animated 12-year-old girl with blonde hair in two braids is positioned on the left side of the cover. She is turned slightly, smiling at a 12-year-old boy with brown hair on the right side. Both characters are animated, with exaggerated expressions to capture the emotion of a school crush. Surrounding them are colorful lockers, creating a vibrant school hallway setting. The background is a mix of pastel colors, emphasizing warmth and the light-hearted nature of school life.

Typography: The book title "Crushed" is in a playful, handwritten font in a bold pink color placed at the top center. The author's name "Eva Gonzalez" is in a simple sans-serif font at the bottom.

Layout: The main characters are centered, with the title above and the author's name below. The lockers create a frame around the characters and are angled to guide the eye toward the center.

Explanation: The visual composition focuses on creating a relatable and inviting atmosphere for middle-grade readers. The animated characters with exaggerated facial expressions effectively convey the emotions of a school crush and friendship. Choosing a playful handwritten font for the title reflects the youthful and light-hearted theme of the book, while the simple sans-serif font for the author's name ensures readability. The layout uses the lockers as a natural frame to highlight the interaction between the two main characters, emphasizing their connection. The glossy paper stock and soft touch finish not only attract young readers with its shine but also provide a tangible, smooth touch that makes the book inviting.