This week's pick is Spelldown: The Big-Time Dreams of a Small-Town Word Whiz by Karen Luddy (YA LUDDY).
Eighth-grader Karlene Bridges is a fantastic speller - she can spell just about any word you can find in the dictionary. Her only problem is, every time she enters a spelling bee she always manages to goof up during the last round. And now her sister Gloria Jean is marrying "El Creepo," her dad's drinking is getting worse, and she just might be attracted to her best friend, Billy Ray. But then Mrs. Harrison, Karlene's new Latin teacher, enters the scene. She tutors Karlene for the next spelling bee and shows her a new side to family when she allows Karlene to babysit for her. At Mrs. Harrison's house, there is peace and quiet, her children are far more well behaved than Karlene's younger siblings, and it's apparent there's more money for extras than in Karlene's household. Will Mrs. Harrison's assistance and encouragement help Karlene have what it takes to win the National Spelling Bee?
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