Spelldown: The Big-Time Dreams
of a Small-Town Word Whiz
by Karon Luddy
of a Small-Town Word Whiz
by Karon Luddy
SPELLDOWN by Karon Luddy
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 1/23/07
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 4 Stars
Remember spelldowns? This book is way bigger than a classroom spelldown. Karlene Bridges is a phenomenal speller.
She studies what she calls “chapters” in the dictionary, like the “Tt chapter” and the “Kk chapter." She lives and breathes
spelling.
Karlene’s home life is held together by her mother and her burning desire to be the National Spelling Bee champion. Life
with an unpredictable alcoholic father makes her world a bit of a roller coaster ride. There are times she recalls tender
memories, but mostly there are erratic drunken moments filled with disappointment.
The arrival of Mrs. Harrison, a new Latin teacher, fills Karlene’s life with hope. A lover of language, Mrs. Harrison
becomes coach and mentor to the young speller. Karlene is welcomed into the Harrisons’ home and encouraged in her
efforts to excel. With Mrs. Harrison’s guidance, contests are won, and Karlene inches closer to her dream.
In SPELLDOWN, Karon Luddy brings the spelling world to life for readers. Her story is filled with intriguing characters
and terrific vocabulary words. Even the chapter titles will increase your knowledge of words. Luddy keeps readers on the
edge of their seats as they observe each spelling contest and watch Karlene grow.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 1/23/07
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 4 Stars
Remember spelldowns? This book is way bigger than a classroom spelldown. Karlene Bridges is a phenomenal speller.
She studies what she calls “chapters” in the dictionary, like the “Tt chapter” and the “Kk chapter." She lives and breathes
spelling.
Karlene’s home life is held together by her mother and her burning desire to be the National Spelling Bee champion. Life
with an unpredictable alcoholic father makes her world a bit of a roller coaster ride. There are times she recalls tender
memories, but mostly there are erratic drunken moments filled with disappointment.
The arrival of Mrs. Harrison, a new Latin teacher, fills Karlene’s life with hope. A lover of language, Mrs. Harrison
becomes coach and mentor to the young speller. Karlene is welcomed into the Harrisons’ home and encouraged in her
efforts to excel. With Mrs. Harrison’s guidance, contests are won, and Karlene inches closer to her dream.
In SPELLDOWN, Karon Luddy brings the spelling world to life for readers. Her story is filled with intriguing characters
and terrific vocabulary words. Even the chapter titles will increase your knowledge of words. Luddy keeps readers on the
edge of their seats as they observe each spelling contest and watch Karlene grow.