I’m so happy to share the news that Spelling it Out is now Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2026 Edition. You can learn more about Bank Street books and other 2026 titles here.
Spelling It Out is a witty, compassionate middle-grade historical novel set in San Francisco in 1985. Rising seventh grader Ben Bellini hopes to reach the Scripps National Spelling Bee, but his summer training becomes more complicated when he realizes that his beloved grandmother may be developing Alzheimer’s disease. As Ben navigates a bullying coach, a talented new friend and competitor, and his own worries about masculinity and belonging, he must learn when persistence is brave—and when asking an adult for help is even braver.
For readers ages 8–12 and grades 3–7, the novel explores spelling and wordplay, dementia and intergenerational family relationships, gender expectations, prejudice, self-advocacy, caregiving, and growing up before cell phones. It will appeal to readers of heartfelt, humorous historical fiction such as Al Capone Does My Shirts.
In addition to being a Bank Street selection Spelling it Out is Junior Library Guild selection. It was also an official book club selection for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Summer is not quite over. There is still time to read it! If you do, tell me what you think!
