After Zaila Avant-garde became the first African American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, she turned into an overnight sensation. People wanted to know who she was and how she'd achieved so much while so young. In this nonfiction book, Zaila shares the personal anecdotes that have shaped her life and extends advice to readers on living authentically.
While Zaila is an exceptional and inspiring young woman, she has fears and anxieties just like everyone else; what makes her remarkable is the way she chooses to move through the obstacles in front of her. Zaila shares about her family, her accomplishments, her experience of being homeschooled, and so much more in order to motivate and uplift other kids who have small-, medium-, and even big-sized dreams.
"In this chatty book, the 16-year-old shares her recipe for success. 'Being on a team is part of what makes me a champion,' she says.... She encourages readers to learn as much as they can about the things they care about and to choose, and understand, their opponents, though she adds that an opponent isn’t necessarily a person (for her, it’s the dictionary). Working hard is a major part of her equation, as is asking for help. Avant-garde reminds readers that they can learn just as much from setbacks as from triumphs and advises them to find ways to recharge. Finally, she notes, persistence is crucial." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 9 - 12 |
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Author | Zaila Avant-garde |
ISBN | 0593568990 |
Publication Date | May 2, 2023 |
Publisher | Random House Books for Young Readers |
Language | English |