Akeelah and the Bee

by James W. Ellison, Doug Atchison

A novelization of the inspirational movie about an 11-year-old girl in South Los Angeles named Akeelah and her quest to make it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee—with help from some very unexpected places.

Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer, Barbershop 2 and Madea's Family Reunion ), a precocious 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother, Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne); her principal; and the proud residents of her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl. 8-page color photo insert.

Genres: Media Tie In, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2006

About the author

Librarian note:
He is sometimes published as James Whitfiled Ellison or as James Ellison

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed Doug Atchison’s 2006 movie Akeelah and the Bee and how the main protagonist, how eleven year old African American student Akeelah Anderson (portrayed by Keke Palmer) overcomes all kinds of both small and large obstacles to compete in and finally win the Scripps National Spelling Bee (tutored by a professor of English literature grieving the death of his daughter, and brilliantly, delightfully performed by Laurence Fishburne), a story inspiring, poignant and also nicely emotionally satisfying. But yes, even with my general delight regarding Akeelah and the Bee, I do kind of wish that Dylan’s father, that the obsessive and also nastily bigoted regarding African Americans chief villain of Akeelah and the Bee (and his son) were not cast as being Chinese American, since to and for me it does kind of feel more than a bit as though Doug Atchison does not dare to, is not brave enough to make Dylan and his horridly vile and racist father White Anglo Saxon Protestant and escapes this discomfort and trepidation by using another ethnic minority instead (but truth be told, my inner child does not really notice the latter as an issue, but I as an adult watching Akeelah and the Bee do notice and am definitely a bit troubled and bothered).

But while as a motion picture Akeelah and the Bee totally and nicely works for me, any and all criticisms notwithstanding, sorry, but James W. Ellison’s novelisation of the film is pretty much an all-round disappointment. Sure, Ellison’s presented text for his Akeelah and the Bee book mirrors the movie contents and thematics wise (except that Dylan and his father are now Japanese American and not like in the movie Chinese American). However and in my opinion, the emotional poignancy that Doug Atchison always and wonderfully puts into Akeelah and the Bee the movie is pretty much mostly missing in what James W. Ellison is writing in and with Akeelah and the Bee, with everything to and for both my inner child and my adult reading self feeling totally and annoyingly lacking nuance, lacking depth, with only cardboard thin emotion and character development (and in fact with Ellison’s words making his novelisation, making Akeelah and the Bee feel more like a general and provisional outline for the movie than a story in and of itself and to be read for itself). And while I would not go so far as to consider Akeelah and the Bee in any way as something inappropriate, yes indeed, Doug Atchison’s movie is totally superior to James W. Ellison’s novelisation, and that it frankly only makes sense to read the latter, to read Akeelah and the Bee if you are unable to get yourself a copy of the motion picture.

[Shanjida · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw this book, I thought it was just going to be a book about a girl over coming racism, which believe me is great for her but I felt the issue was a little over done or common. But when I did read it, it was mostly about a girl who ended up wanting to prove people wrong and take her potential to the next level which was in spelling. After loosing her father and having her favorite and good brother leaving for the air force, she discovered it would be best to listen to her principal and go for the national bee. In one part where Akeelah ran away after being made fun of for getting one very complicated word wrong, I thought Akeelah was just over reacting, but then I ended up putting myself in her shoes. If I grew up in a neighborhood like hers, grew up with a mother who wasn't supportive, and was in a school where standing out for something a little bad could be the worst thing ever, I would have run away too. This book ended up teaching me a lot. One of those things being commitment and determination, which are also two of the most important character traits in Akeelah. This was a great book and I enjoyed the movie just as much.

[Hema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching this movie in ABC Channel (I think), when I was in USA. It was a very motivating and uplifting story of a young black girl, winning big overcoming her trepidation and emotional struggles along her way. I did not know that it had a novel version and I normally don't read the novel after watching any movie (It just spoils the whole experience, in my opinion). For instance, "The DaVinci Code" was a better novel than a movie. Then there is Julie and Julia movie which was far better than the novel, "Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen". But it was interesting when I learnt that this novel was the screen play adaptation of the movie. The author has done full justice. Since I had already watched the movie, Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne, enacted the whole novel in my head. It was Dough Atchinson's (Film Director) 10 years work into this film and it has paid off well.

The story is about a 11 years old Akeelah Anderson, who is smart, brilliant, yet is scared to stand out and make a difference. She is scared because that would naturally make her the punching bag of her school and make her do other's home work. She knows well to blend in and never make that mistake. But her teachers find her gift and make her participate in the Scribbs National Spelling Bee contest. She is at first scared and reluctant, but she takes up the challenge just to avoid summer school. She trains hard under the guidance of the English Professor Joshua Larabee. He teaches her how to understand and appreciate the language and its words. He makes her understand the origin, the meaning, its suffixes and prefixes rather than just memorize each and every word like a machine. The two of them form a very friendly bond, and see their lost father and child in each other. Akeelah makes huge progress and goes all the way till the finals. She makes a lot of friends on the way, but she also loses her best friend who supported her even before the whole world. In the meanwhile she also has one tough competitor Dylan Watanabe who has come second in the nationals for two years in a row. She detest and despise him and they hold contempt for each other.

At one stage, Dr Larabee backs out from his coaching, leaving Akeelah to do the competition on her own. Akeelah is shaken and taken aback emotionally. She could not understand Dr.Larabee's decision but tries and prepares for the contest. In one eventful meeting between the coach and the student, they start to understand each other's feelings and emotionally warm up to each other.

Akeelah and Dylan at one stage understand the true meaning of a competition and do something so beautiful and mature that it goes to make history. It is a very beautiful story encouraging children to use their gifts, prove their talents in spite of the many hurdles they may come to face. Read the story to find out what happened in the finals of the competition; it was quite interesting. I have to quote a beautiful quote from the book which says the essence of the book.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Fear diminished you, and it diminished you because it made you face your shortcomings. And yet we ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be those things? Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same

[Imani · Rating 5 out of 5]

there’s a certain nostalgia one feels when they read this book after having watched the movie in their childhood. i thoroughly enjoyed Akeelah’s sense of humor. this was such a heartwarming story!

[Sasha Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm not crying. you're crying.

okay. i saw this movie for the first time around my 10th birthday. i didn't know there was a movie novelization until last night and spent the last 12 hours reading it (it's short but i had to sleep).

i don't think i'll ever tire of this book or this movie. akeelah (and keke palmer) is someone i looked up to as a kid. her intelligence, her nerdiness, her determination, her heart. this book captures the film beautifully and even adds some things to the story. (small things - good things). i'm so glad i found out this was a book.

i'm still not crying. that's you.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The play feels like it's missing a lot. The conflicts just sort of resolve themselves in a bid to give more spelling bee time. A lot of sideplots don't really land. It feels like it's been cut to the point of not making sense.

[Endah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lomba mengeja, di negeri kita belum pernah diselenggarakan. Tetapi, di Amerika Serikat lomba tersebut diadakan setiap tahun dalam skala nasional. Pesertanya para siswa sekolah dasar dan menengah, berusia 10-15 tahun. Kedengarannya sepele, namun ternyata mengeja sebuah kata yang sulit dan “asing” tidaklah mudah. Butuh intelegensia tinggi, kemampuan menghapal, dan penguasaan kamus yang baik, bukan sekadar melek huruf.

Akeelah Anderson, seorang bocah perempuan kulit hitam berusia 11 tahun, tinggal di sebuah permukiman miskin di distrik Los Angeles Selatan, ditugaskan sekolahnya untuk mengikuti lomba mengeja tingkat nasional setelah memenangi lomba yang sama di tingkat distrik.

Ini adalah kali pertama Akeelah mengikuti lomba mengeja dan langsung menduduki peringkat ketiga di tingkat wilayah serta berhak maju ke tingkat nasional yang berlangsung di ibukota, Washington D.C. Di sana kelak, Akeelah akan berhadapan dengan para peserta dari seluruh Amerika Serikat, termasuk Dylan Watanabe, runner up tahun lalu.

Novel yang berjudul asli Akeelah And The Bee ini semula adalah naskah yang dibuat untuk film layar lebar oleh Doug Atchinson dan memenangi penghargaan Nicholl Fellowship tahun 2000. Atchinson sekaligus juga bertindak sebagai sutradara. Naskah ini kemudian diadaptasi menjadi novel oleh James W.Ellison, seorang novelis yang telah menerbitkan tujuh buah novel termasuk Finding Forrester (juga dari naskah film). Edisi Indonesianya diterjemahkan oleh penyair gaek Sapardi Djoko Damono. Sayangnya, penyuntingannya masih kurang sempurna, sebab masih terdapat banyak salah eja dan salah ketik yang cukup mengganggu pembaca.

Buku Akeelah ini memuat pesan, khususnya bagi anak-anak, agar tak cepat putus asa dalam meraih cita-cita dan kemenangan. Semua keberhasilan tidaklah datang ujug-ujug dari surga, tetapi mesti diperjuangkan sekuat daya dan upaya. Tokoh Akeelah yang berasal dari satu keluarga kulit hitam miskin mewakili kaum urban minoritas di Amerika yang termarjinalkan.

Akeelah dan ketiga orang kakaknya diasuh oleh orangtua tunggal (ibu) sebab sang ayah telah meninggal dunia. Dengan tanggungan 4 orang anak yang tengah meningkat dewasa, tentulah beban hidup menjadi tidak ringan bagi Tania Anderson. Ia harus membanting tulang bekerja sebagai perawat.

Belum lagi beban sosial dan psikologis karena salah seorang anak lelakinya terlibat pergaulan tidak sehat dengan para anggota geng narkoba serta anak perempuannya memiliki bayi di luar nikah. Itu berarti bertambah satu mulut lagi yang harus dihidupinya. Tidak mengherankan jika kemudian ia tak punya banyak waktu untuk hal-hal kecil bagi anak-anaknya, khususnya si bungsu Akeelah. Problema khas masyarakat kelas bawah yang banyak dijumpai bukan saja di Amerika tetapi hampir di setiap negara.

Lewat Akeelah, novel ini ingin menyampaikan, bahwa siapapun bisa jadi pemenang selama ia mau berusaha keras dan berlaku jujur.

Perjalanan Akeelah menuju ‘puncak’ penuh liku-liku dan hambatan. Mulai dari sang ibu yang tidak mendukung karena menurutnya lomba tersebut tidak ada gunanya sampai kepada kesulitan mencari pelatih handal untuk mengajarnya mengeja dengan benar. Dr. Larabee yang sempat bersedia melatihnya, di saat-saat terakhir malah mengundurkan diri.Namun, Akeelah pantang menyerah. Dia mencari upaya lain agar tetap bisa ikut lomba demi mendiang ayah tercinta yang darinya ia mengenal dan belajar mencintai kata-kata.

Sayang sekali, saya belum sempat menyaksikan filmnya, sehingga tidak bisa membandingkannya di sini dengan bukunya. Tetapi bahwa ia merupakan sebuah cerita yang inspiratif dan membangkitkan motivasi, saya harus sepakat, walaupun temanya klise. Proses Akeelah dari bukan siapa-siapa menjelma seorang juara menjadi teladan yang patut ditiru oleh kita semua, terutama anak-anak. Untuk para orangtua buku/film ini memperlihatkan betapa pentingnya memberikan dukungan, perhatian, dan cinta kepada anak-anak. Anak-anak itu tak bisa tumbuh dan berkembang sendiri. Mereka, konon, adalah amanat Tuhan yang kudu dijaga baik-baik dan penuh tanggung jawab.***

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, easy read, and the story is pretty good. However, much like a picture that is sharp in the middle and blurred around the edges, some of the characters are fairly well-defined, and much information is available about them, whereas others are very general, almost two-dimensional in how they are portrayed. I realize that part of that is simply dependent on how much interaction Akeelah has with them, but in my opinion, there are too many characters like that, which takes away somewhat from the story. Also, if you are a details person, this book can be a little irritating. For instance, in two places in the book, Devon's military uniform is referred to as 'Air Force regalia.' This language is a bit flowery and unnecessary in contrast with the simple language of the overall story. It would be more fitting to refer to it as a uniform, or better yet, do a little research to find out the proper term for what he is wearing, which would not be too difficult. Also, Tanya's nursing uniform includes white stockings and shoes, which seems a bit outdated if the novel is intended to take place in present-day. Don't most nurses wear scrubs nowadays?

Basically, this book is the difference between a tv movie and an A-List film: it is a good story and a good way to spend some time, but it probably won't make it as a classic novel, and it isn't an example of any sort of stellar writing ability.

[Bunga Mawar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inti dari cerita buku ini: Jadi siswa pintar di sekolah memang tidak selalu menyenangkan karena banyak teman bisa iri dan ingin menjatuhkanmu. Tapi kalau kamu benar2 pintar, terima nasib dong, lalu berbuat baiklah sebanyak-banyaknya dengan kepintaranmu itu.

[Imas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akeelah Anderson,gadis kecil penyuka kata2 berjuang dlm ajang kompetisi mengeja alias spelling bee.Biasanya buku dijadikan film,bukunya lbh bgs dari filmnya,tp kali ini filmnya lbh bgs daripd bukunya..Mungkin krn terjemahan,tp cerita nya tetap menarik..

[Edziardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bukunya biasa aja, mungkin karena novel translate-an kali ya, jadinya kurang menggigit aja...

[Citra Rizcha Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ketakutan kita yang paling besar bukanlah karena kita tidak mampu. Ketakutan kita yang paling besar adalah bahwa kita punya kekuatan lebih. Kita bertanya pada diri kita. Siapa aku ini untuk menjadi cemerlang, cantik, berbakat, dan hebat? Sebetulnya, siapa kamu untuk tidak bisa menjadi seperti itu? Berendah-rendah tidak akan cocok untuk dunia. Kita dilahirkan untuk menyatakan keagungan Tuhan yang ada di dalam diri kita. Dan ketika kita membiarkan diri kita bercahaya, kita secara tidak sadar memberi izin pada yang laun untuk berbuat yang sama." Sebuah kutipan indah yang memantik optimisme untuk berani menampilkan kemampuan terbaik kita, dari Marianne Williamson dalam bukunya a Return to Love.

Kutipan yang membuat Akeelah, gadis 11 tahun yang akhirnya mau menunjukkan talentanya dalam lomba mengeja. Sebelumnya Akeelah memilih pura-pura tak peduli pada bakatnya hanya karena ia takut dibully oleh teman-teman di sekolah juga oleh lingkungannya.

Hingga Dr. Larabee datang dan membuat Akeelah mempercayai kemampuan yang dimilikinya.

Buku ini adalah adaptasi naskah dari film Akeelah yang dibintangi Keke Palmer. Bercerita tentang perjuangan Akeelah untuk mengikuti spelling bee. Kontes mengeja yang bergengsi di Amerika Serikat.

Menjadi juara bukanlah perkara mudah, ada banyak hal yang harus Akeelah taklukan untuk bisa melangkah; izin ibunya, Georgia sahabatnya yang menjauh, bahkan Dr. Larabee yang tiba-tiba berhenti melatihnya. Belum lagi Dylan Watanabe yang berambisi besar untuk menjadi juara. Tapi diatas segalanya, yang pertama yang harus ditaklukan adalah diri sendiri.

Anak-anak harus membaca buku memotivasi seperti ini. Saya suka cara Dr. Larabee melatih, saya suka ide dan trik belajar yang dilakukan para peserta lomba, saya suka kata-kata ibu Akeelah, "hanya dengan mengikuti mimpimu, kamu telah menang." Saya suka latar belakang tokoh-tokohnya yang multikultural. Tapi bagian favorite saya adalah surat yang dikirim ayah Akeelah beberapa saat sebelum ayahnya tewas tertembak.

Sebuah bacaan yang hebat!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second grader was interested in starting a gathering with a few folks from his class - to read a book and then watch the movie based on the book. A book/movie club of sorts. His best buddy chose this book as their first read. It's technically a book based on a movie - rather than a book that a movie was made about - but they are 8-years-old and I wanted to encourage the independent spirit. This book turned out to be a perfect selection, as spelling in the second grade seems to be quite an obsession. Akeelah and the Bee is the story of a girl from a low-performing school in Los Angeles - a place where no one has even heard of a spelling bee, much less competed in one. But Akeelah has a gift for spelling - and her principal is counting on her to bring some much needed positive attention to their school. While Akeelah struggles with finding her confidence and pride, and learning that being a "smart" kid doesn't have to mean turning your back on old friends or who you thought you were. My son and I read this book together - reading level-wise, I think this is perfectly appropriate for a second grader to read on their own. But, I'm glad we read it together because there were so many themes to tease out - and the book lead to some wonderful discussions between us about friendships, hard work, and growing up. I'm looking forward to talking about the book with a small group of second graders, and can't wait to see the movie.

[Zachary Pareizs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually read the stage play adaptation by Cheryl L. West. Great and emotional, but helps to be able to hear the original actors clearly in my head as I’m reading. Runs into similar hiccups as the film, but the good vibes paper over those.

[Dara Agusti maulidya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya menemukan buku ini di perpustakaan SD saya, dan saya langsung jatuh cinta!

[Emily Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I loved how the community came together to help one litlle girl. It definitely restores your faith in humanity just a little bit.

[Pamela Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to use your dictionary and learn new words. This inspiring true story of guts, perseverance, and community is a lesson for all. Great encouraging read for entrepeneurs.

[Sibongile Chiumia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this girl was good at spellings and she was practicing every day until she finished the five thousand words within three days she was one of the best speller ever and she won with her named Dylan

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the film but it gives a lot of background and character motivation. it expands on characters who were important to the film but not enough to have bigger plots.

[kaylee bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

idc what anyone says i love this with my heart and soul ❤️

[Tantri Setyorini]

Ah aku inget baca buku ini pas gathering GRI Malang pertama di perpus kota. Hasil rekomendasi si Idan. Baca setengah buku dalam satu jam. Belum kelar tapi aku suka sih. Ringan tapi menarik mengikuti perjuangannya Akeelah ikut spelling bee sekaligus usahanya menjadi invisible di tengah lingkungan sekolahnya, karena murid pintar seperti dia pasti dijadikan sasaran bullying.

[lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched this in LIA when I was 3rd grader and I love the movie so much! So when I saw this book in Gunung Agung (either in Bandung or Jogja, but I guess Bandung), I was so thrilled and automatically bought it even tho it was the only book available (no seal and alr got some marks). Nevertheless, LOVE IT!

[Ti3wi3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

perjuangan seorang gadis cilik -akeelah anderson yang berusia 12 tahun dalam mengikuti perlombaan Spelling bee dari tingkat sekolah sampai akhirnya dia memenangkan lomba di tingkat nasional....

Novel ini merupakan novel dari naskah film yang berjudul sama yang disutradari oleh Doug Atchinson

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is more Starbucks-addict than reading a specific book, the novelization of Akeelah and The Bee, a movie sponsored by Starbucks, while sitting inside one of its store drinking caramel frappuccino and eating espresso brownies ?

[Punya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book becuase it is about the dedication to a young girl to win the Scripts Regionals Spelling Bee and her two friends were also participating. Akeelah went from a gril who didn't care about the bee to a girl who won the Regional Bee!!!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was perfectly enjoyable, it's one of the few books I've read that isn't as good as the movie - probably because the book is an adaptation of the movie, rather than the other way around.

[Casey Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really exciting because it's talking about the journey of Akeelah and her going to the National Spelling Bee. She made friends along the way that I think she will keep forever. She kept getting distracted in the book by a boy named Dylan, who lost the National Spelling Bee twice.

[Yulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mengubah diri sendiri berarti lebih banyak lagi yg berubah

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LEARNED THAT SPELLING BEES ARE REALLY BORING AND LONG AND PROBLEY ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO SPELL.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it. read it!