This is a great story about making desicions on your own when it comes to who your friends are. The girl in the story becomes friends with the new students, despite her friends making fun of her and teasing her. I loved this novel for its message of acceptance and anti bullying. ( )

How do you spell geek? l-u-r-l-e-n-e! Kim and Ann are preparing for the National Spelling Bee competition but their world is turned upside down when a home-schooled, geeky girl comes between their friendship. Lurlene has never been to public school and Ann is her guide. Everyone hates her because she is different but she starts to grow on Ann which in turn, makes Kim not want to be around Ann. Lurlene doesn't understand why everyone is so mean, making Ann realize her own values of being materialistic and judging someone based on outside appearance. Lurlene turns out to be a great speller and enters the competition. Kim has been training so hard while Ann downplays her own ability to be a great speller. In the end, it is Ann that wins the competition with Kim and Lurlene on her side to help with further training.

I really like this book because it does show how people are judged based on their looks. Lurlene would wear overalls and cowgirl boots and people would tease her. Ann tried to ditch her but the more time spent together, the closer they became. In the end, Kim still did not want to be Lurlene's friend but she did not want to lose her friendship with Ann so she agreed to work together. Ann grew confidence in herself and saw who her friends were through this process. ( )

Ann is the main character of this short novel. Ann is in eighth grade and it has been her and her best friend, Kimberly's dream to make it to the National Spelling Bee that's held every year in Washington DC. Since Ann is in eighth grade this is her last year to be able to qualify. So she and her best friend study and night and work hard to make their dream come true. The girls face many problems throughout the novel but it is when a great new speller, Lurlee, comes to school and Ann is asked to show her around. Lurlee has a hard time fitting in but connects with Ann. Ann's friendships are put into jeopardy and she has to decide whether the spelling bee is worth losing two great friends. This is a great novel for young adults that will ( )

Fargnoli, Harriet. How do you Spell Geek: Review. School Library Journal found on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/How-Do-You-Spell-Geek/dp/0316702668