Children’s book - About several orphaned children who go to a spelling bee

[JaimieW]

I’ve been wondering about this book for years. I read it in school I’m the early 2000’s (I think).
*Probably spoilers*
What I remember is:
There are several orphaned children, all from the same family. One is really good at spelling and so they all go to a spelling bee out of city/state(?) Which is a big deal because they can barely afford it.
There is a baby, who I think was “evil”, and the older sister That somehow turns into a fox.
It was an odd book. Think like something from a Tim Burton film.
I hope this book may ring some bells for someone out there...

[Rainbowheart]

Might want to check the Spelling Bee list.

[Rainbowheart]

Looks like another person was searching for the same book in this abandoned thread....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Becca]

The Fall of Fergal: The First Unlikely Exploit by Philip Ardagh?