Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan

In Spelling It Out, a competitive speller discovers his own strengths as well as the value of family.

Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan. Atheneum, 2025. 196 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: ages 10-15

Ben Bellini stumbled into competitive spelling after winning his school and district bees without breaking a sweat. The Southern California championship bee is a different story, slapping him back to earth with the word “clodpoll” (noun, a foolish person). But then his grandmother Nan calls from San Francisco with two words: “Roger Nott!” That’s the name of a Scripps National champion from days gone by, who has agreed to serve as Ben’s coach.

The offer recharges Ben’s spelling ambitions. Besides, Nan is a lot of fun and spending time with her in San Francisco beats hanging around his snarky older sister and nerdy little brother all summer. His overprotective parents need some convincing, but eventually they drive him to the airport with lots of warnings and rules (most of which he will end up breaking). The first upset to Ben’s expectations happens upon his arrival at the San Francisco airport, where there’s nobody to meet him.

Nan arrives eventually, with an apology and a balloon bouquet, but Ben’s apprehensions will grow over the next days and weeks. Nan keeps asking him why he’s here—at first he thinks it’s to remind him of his purpose and get him back on track. But . . . what if it’s because she doesn’t remember? His supposed coach is no help. Roger Nott drops a few helpful spelling hints but often seems totally disinterested in his student—sometimes even hostile. One happy coincidence is meeting a fellow competitive speller at the library. Asha immediately declares herself an opponent, but she may also be a friend.

During a challenging summer, Ben will gain confidence in his own abilities, but also confidence in his family. Though his parents may have hovered too much and his siblings have their irritating qualities, together they are a strong web, supporting each other in an uncertain world. Ben may or may not win the National Bee—Asha will give him a run for his money—but he’s gained something more valuable.

Considerations:

• Sexuality: Ben twice recalls one of his classmates speculating which girls in their class are wearing bras. Not an unusual preoccupation for a sixth-grade boy, but there it is.

Bottom Line: An engaging story of overcoming fear and taking responsibility for oneself and others.

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• Reviews: Margaret Finnegan is the author of We Could Be Heroes, a friendship story we liked a lot.
• Review: How Do You Spell Unfair? is the true story of how the National Spelling Bee was opened up to black students. The Winterton Deception series features a family wealthy and eccentric enough to sponsor their own spelling bee with serious prize money—and a mystery.
• Resource: For more realistic fiction fun, browse our books tagged Realistic Fiction.

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