Spelldown

By Karon Luddy

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

Set in 1969, 8th grader Karlene Bridges lives in a small town in South Carolina. Despite her mother having only a 9th grade education and a father who is an alcoholic, Karlene has big time dreams of winning the National Spelling Bee. As she journeys down the path to the spelling championship, Karlene is almost overwhelmed by her family's problems. But with the support of the new Latin teacher, Mrs. Harrison, Karlene manages to just keep her head above water. This is an engaging story about a girl with dreams bigger than her town, and the frustrations and joys that typically accompany a 13 year old whose world is opening up.