Words of Wonder from Z to A

Words of Wonder from Z to AWords of Wonder from Z to A by Keisha Morris, Zaila Avant-Garde
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on 2023
ISBN: 0593568931
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021 at the age of 14.  The author’s love of words is very clear in her first book.  This unique abecedary approaches the English alphabet in reverse order, starting with the author’s first name, Zaila, and ending with her last name, Avant-garde.  Each word receives a thoughtful description,  often including a self-affirmation and always including a quotation from a well-known person such as Neil Gaiman or Colin Powell.  There are brightly colored illustrations of people of color throughout.  The book is suggested for readers ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars