Description

From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Wish
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
This inspiring, humorous title from Barbara O'Connor is perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Kate DiCamillo.

All her life, the only thing Bird has ever wanted is to be noticed in her small town and to get to Disney World. As it turns out, Bird could have a chance to realize at least one of her goals because of a state spelling bee, and she might get to make a friend along the way--a boy named Harlem Tate who has just moved to Freedom. Harlem seems like a kindred spirit--someone like Bird, whom people don't usually take the time to find the good in. (Unless it's someone like Miss Delphine, who always makes Bird feel special.) But as much as Bird tries to get his attention, Harlem is not easily won over. Then Harlem agrees to be her partner in the spelling bee, and if they study hard enough, the two might just win everything Bird's always wanted.

Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other heartwarming middle-grade titles:
Wish
Wonderland
How to Steal a Dog
Greetings from Nowhere
The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester
Halfway to Harmony
and Dream, the standalone companion to Wish, coming to bookstores on 8/26/25!