"This is a feel-good story that would make an excellent read aloud." -- School Library Connection

"The colorful cover and cartoonlike illustrations in this Australian import will draw in readers, while the gently humorous and rollicking plot will keep them turning pages. India's family is warm and slightly zany... Humorous and poignant, this title will inspire readers with its kind, courageous heroine and may teach some new words along the way." -- School Library Journal

"Abela adds a lot of tricky new vocabulary words for readers to pick up in a way that makes subtle spelling lessons fun
and not tedious... India is a darling of a character that many readers will relate to and cheer for in this breezy read." -- Booklist

"Both droll and heartwarming, the tale is rather more reminiscent of Little Miss Sunshine than Spellbound in its evocation of the quirky, lovingly supportive Wimples. This story about facing and overcoming one's fears is a winner. " -- Kirkus Reviews

"Abela...gives her characters, who are depicted in simple black-and-white line drawings, a realistic and comforting depth. Anyone who has ever experienced anxiety due to their own ambition will understand exactly how India feels, right up to the "splendiferous (excellent)" conclusion... In this charming Australian import, a shy young girl overcomes nerves, mean-spirited co-contestants and tricky vocabulary words in her aspiration to win a major spelling bee." -- Shelf Awareness

"Whether readers are interested in family humor, friendship, competition, or just plain fun, this will have something to offer." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Humorous and poignant, this title will inspire readers with its kind, courageous heroine and may teach some new words along the way." -- School Library Journal

Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers

Pub date: 2018-04-03

Length: 224 pages