STACEY'S EXTRAORDINARY WORDS

Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams portrays herself when she was a schoolgirl who loved words and their different sounds. Listeners join her when a beloved teacher, Mrs. Blackeslee, invites her to represent her school at the county spelling bee. Abrams wants to participate but admits fearing she will "mess up." Most moving and fun are her "Extraordinary Words" notebook and the lively adjectives she uses to describe her favorite words. Her youthfully enthusiastic delivery takes listeners into her world, including the spelling bee, while the realistic announcer adds atmosphere. In the author's note, Abrams earnestly explains how words and books were companions and protectors when she was young and gives listeners vibrant new words to learn. The story is a delightful listen. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]