How Do You Spell Unfair?

Starred review from January 23, 2023
In this thoughtfully conceived picture book, Boston Weatherford centers MacNolia Cox (1923–1976), who achieved celebrity status in 1936 after becoming the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee, thus qualifying for the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The narrative fittingly works in vocabulary words to tell the tale, for example underlining Cox’s commitment in preparing for the national bee (“Can you spell dedication? D-E-D-I-C-A-T-I-O-N”). As Cox and her mother set out on their trip to the U.S. capital, where segregation sets them apart from white contestants, words such as famous and excited give way to terms like racism and unfair. Morrison’s distinctive portraiture shows the protagonist meeting with Black legends in Akron, and juxtaposes the community support Cox enjoys in her home state with experiences of racial discrimination in the nation’s capital. It’s a powerful, word-by-word telling of a child’s personal triumph. A foreword and epilogue offer a history of spelling bee segregation in the U.S. Ages 7–10.

March 1, 2023
As a young Black girl growing up in 1930s Akron, Ohio, MacNolia Cox had an affinity for words -- long and complicated words in particular. Known to read the dictionary for fun, the scholar handily won her school's spelling bee, a written test, and an oral competition, which put her in the running for the citywide contest. Competing there against fifty other children, MacNolia emerged victorious as the first African American to win -- a feat that made her even more beloved and famous in her community and eligible to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination tainted her experience. On the train, MacNolia and her mother were forced to move to a segregated car once they reached the state of Maryland; the official hotel was for whites only; and she and the other Black competitor were made to sit at a different table during the bee itself. However, showing the same acumen and resolve as in Akron, she continued to advance in the competition, making it to the top five. Cox is remembered for her perseverance under pressure, and both the affecting text (with its spelling-centered refrain: "Can you spell dedication?"; "Can you spell excited?") and brilliantly hued oil- and spray-paint illustrations portray her with dignity while reflecting the intensity of the times. An epilogue reinforces how every victory encourages others; a bibliography is appended. Eboni Njoku

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from June 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 4-The inspiring team that produced Standing in Need of a Prayer shines the light on another historic moment in American history. MacNolia Cox, a champion speller from Akron, OH, persevered despite racist obstacles in her path to become the first African American top five finalist in the National Spelling Bee. Morrison's illustrations capture the emotions, tenacity, and strength of Cox and her supporters while Weatherford's free verse tells the story of a young girl with a gift for spelling (and an amazing work ethic) and her journey to the bee in 1936. Without shying away from the racism Cox endured, Weatherford keeps the focus squarely on the determination of the champion and her supporters for the opportunity to show her talents as a speller. Back matter expands on the story of America's racist history surrounding spelling bees and includes other remarkable accomplishments by spellers of African descent from last century to the present. VERDICT Another stunning title from a gifted pair of creators, this deserves a place in all collections as children will root for Cox and be inspired by her amazing accomplishments.-John Scott

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2023
Grades 2-5 *Starred Review* In 1936, after winning her school's spelling bee, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee. Her prize? Twenty-five dollars and a trip to the National Spelling Bee in Washington. A brass band and "a crowd of thousands" gathered to see her off. When her train crossed the state line into Maryland, MacNolia and her mother were forced to move to a Blacks-only car. Although other spelling champs stayed in a hotel, its "whites only" policy excluded the Coxes. Even at the spelling bee, the two Black students were seated at a card table, separated from the white competitors. When only five kids remained, MacNolia misspelled a word. Despite protests that it wasn't on the official list, the judges, "mostly from the segregated South," stood firm. But back home, Akron residents welcomed their girl home with a parade. Weatherford tells of MacNolia's experiences in concise, direct narrative, while occasionally asking a question such as, "Can you spell discrimination? D-I-S-C-R-I-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N." The injustices MacNolia faced are clear, but so are her intelligence, diligence, and ability to excel, "given a level playing field." Capturing the characters' emotions and their personalities, Morrison's vibrant oil-and-spray-paint illustrations are riveting. This moving picture book portrays a girl who met injustice with dignity and excelled.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from March 1, 2023
A champion Midwestern speller experiences discrimination at the 1936 National Spelling Bee. MacNolia Cox was neither the first African American child to win a national spelling contest (1908) nor the next (2021)--but she was the first even to win a spot as a finalist in all the intervening decades and, Weatherford suggests, could well have won except for some rule-bending by the judges. Using a call-and-response cadence ("Can you spell dedication? / D-E-D-I-C-A-T-I-O-N"), the author pays tribute to the Akron, Ohio, eighth grader's indomitable spirit and focus as well as her love of words while recording the public excitement she caused by winning her school and then citywide bees. With a teacher, a reporter, and her mother, MacNolia then traveled to Washington, D.C., where she experienced segregation (even on stage, in the accompanying, pointedly wordless, picture) but "nailed word after word." She didn't win the championship but proved something important by her example: "That was MacNolia's triumph." Her slender figure glows with character in Morrison's illustrations, too, where she pores studiously through dictionaries here, poses with celebrities like Joe Louis and Fats Waller there, waves gravely to a cheering crowd as she boards a train for the nation's capital, and afterward returns to her hometown in graceful, silent dignity. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Spells out reasons to vow N-E-V-E-R A-G-A-I-N. (foreword, afterward, select bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2023
As a young Black girl growing up in 1930s Akron, Ohio, MacNolia Cox had an affinity for words -- long and complicated words in particular. Known to read the dictionary for fun, the scholar handily won her school's spelling bee, a written test, and an oral competition, which put her in the running for the citywide contest. Competing there against fifty other children, MacNolia emerged victorious as the first African American to win -- a feat that made her even more beloved and famous in her community and eligible to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination tainted her experience. On the train, MacNolia and her mother were forced to move to a segregated car once they reached the state of Maryland; the official hotel was for whites only; and she and the other Black competitor were made to sit at a different table during the bee itself. However, showing the same acumen and resolve as in Akron, she continued to advance in the competition, making it to the top five. Cox is remembered for her perseverance under pressure, and both the affecting text (with its spelling-centered refrain: "Can you spell dedication?"; "Can you spell excited?") and brilliantly hued oil- and spray-paint illustrations portray her with dignity while reflecting the intensity of the times. An epilogue reinforces how every victory encourages others; a bibliography is appended.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)