The Spelling Bee (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this good-natured if slight first novel, Ruth Stetter, an unmarried, 64-year-old proofreader for a small printing company, is replaced by a computerized spell-checking program called "RiteWord." Driven mad by the proliferation of "cute" spellings and refusing to accept that she and her craft are obsolete, Ruth sets out to teach her small town of Stillwell a lesson about the value of doing things the old-fashioned way. Enlisting the help of 12-year-old Duncan Worthy, a kid left to watch TV and read comics while his mother works, spunky Ruth repaints the sign at the "E-Z 'n Quik Mart" to read "Easy and Quick Mart." The town doesn't get the message until Ruth and Duncan break into a grocery and change the names on the boxes of "Tastee Bitz" to "Tasty Bites." Declaring it product tampering, the police and local news media get on the case. Duncan makes Ruth a disguise--a black-and-yellow striped raincoat that transforms her into the Spelling Bee. Ruth buzzes about, plotting further capers that lure the local media, especially an ambitious TV reporter who hopes to catch the bee on tape. The hunt reaches fever pitch when the Spelling Bee takes on the anti-litter campaign--"Be A Pic-Up PeePal." Davis, a one-time news reporter who produces documentaries for public TV in Alabama, has created a sweet tale that is about as sophisticated as an episode of Sesame Street.

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 313 pages
• Publisher: Black Belt Press (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881320669
• ISBN-13: 978-1881320661
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,885,969 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny fictional look at a great topic, March 11, 1998

By A Customer

I'm there! All those "cutesy" spellings on signs and advertisements drive me crazy too. When I get older, I might become a Spelling Superhero, too. Seriously, the way the plot and relationships are woven together makes this a very enjoyable read. A must-have for any English teacher, or anyone who's ever winced at "lite" beer.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a trip back home..., May 4, 1998

By A Customer

I felt like I was in my old neighborhood...I KNEW those people! Very likeable characters, heartwarming adventure...something for everyone!