Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia
Author(s): Barbara O'Connor
Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other middle-grade work—like Wish; Wonderland; How to Steal a Dog; Greetings from Nowhere; The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester; and more!
Will a spelling bee be the answer to all of Bird's problems? In this laugh-out-loud novel from Barbara O'Connor, a spunky young girl discovers that sometimes all it takes to feel famous is a little recognition from true friends.
All her life, all Bird has ever wanted is to be noticed in her small town and to get to Disney World. As it turns out, Bird just might 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.
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.
Review(s):
“Finely tuned.” —Starred, Booklist
“Bird's original voice has charm, grit, and spunkiness that, combined with small town sensibilities, unique characters, and humor, spell out a winner.” —Starred, Kirkus Reviews
“An idiosyncratic group of characters play out this touching and well-paced story about friendship, family, and connection.” —Horn Book Magazine
“Bird is literary kin to Scout, heroine of Harper Lee's famous "To Kill a Mockingbird.…as charming and fresh as …the month of May.” —Boston Globe
Georgia Children's Book Award Master List (University of GA), Long-listed West Virginia Children's Book Award ML, Long-listed South Carolina Children's Book Award ML, Long-listed Rhode Island Children's Book Award ML, New Mexico Land of Enchantment Master List, Maryland Children's Book Award Master List, Long-listed Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List, Long-listed Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, Long-listed Hawaii Nene Book Award Master List, Long-listed Kentucky Blue Grass Award Master List, Kansas William Allen White Award Master, Long-listed Virginia Young Readers Award Master List, Long-listed Arizona Grand Canyon Young Readers Maste, Long-listed Nevada YR Award Master List, Maryland Children's Book Award Master Li, Georgia Children's Book Award Master Lis, Long-listed New Mexico Land of Enchantment ML, Arizona Grand Canyon Young Readers Master List, Long-listed Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, GA Picture Storybook Award ML, Long-listed Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice A. ML, West Virginia Children's Book Award Master List, South Carolina Children's Book Award Master List, Long-listed Kansas William Allen White Award Master List, Long-listed New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award ML, Long-listed Florida Sunshine State YR Award ML, Long-listed Utah Children's Book Award Master List, Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Master List, Bank Street Best Children's Book of the, Rhode Island Children's Book Award Master List
ISBN: 9780374400187