Abby Cadabra, Super Speller

by Joan Holub

Abby is the best speller in the class until a new witch shows up at school and the two of them compete in a spelling bee to see who will win a new broomstick. Simultaneous.

48 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2000

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used to being the best speller at Miss Poof's witch school, Abby Cadabra is taken aback when new girl Wanda Cassandra arrives, and reveals that she was spelling champion at her old school. The girls become instant rivals and enemies, and face off in the next spelling bee, which involves spelling each word right, explaining the rules of spelling that govern it, and then using it in a magic spell. The competition goes on and on, until finally both girls falter, when spelling the compound word 'broomstick.' Can they work together, to get it right...?

Both entertaining and educational, Abby Cadabra, Super Speller is part of Grosset & Dunlap's All Aboard Reading series for beginning readers, and is intended for children in grades 1-3. The story itself is full of witchy fun, and imparts a message about learning to get along with newcomers, and to work as part of a team. Various rules of spelling are incorporated naturally into the story, offering lighthearted explanations for young children regarding the often complex nature of English orthography. The accompanying artwork is cute and colorful, accentuating the magical goings-on in the story. Recommended to beginning readers who enjoy witchy fare, and/or who struggle with their spelling.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun beginning reader book that combines witches, spelling, competition and playing fair. It's a good story for young elementary school-age children and the colorful illustrations complement the story nicely. Our girls really liked this story and we are having a lot of fun reading Joan Holub's books, especially her Goddess Girls series.