Margaret Finnegan on Spelling It Out

In this post, we feature author Margaret Finnegan, whose previous titles include the middle-grade novel Susie Parker Is Here to Stay, which was named a Junior Library Guild selection. You can hear her speak about her new novel, Spelling It Out, and try her “invitation to imagine” activity. You’ll also find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Spelling It Out

Written by Margaret Finnegan
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Release date: May 13, 2025

Ben Bellini didn’t mean to become a champion speller. After all, he’s not a nerd. But, he sure does like spelling bee glory now that it’s found him. He might even be good enough for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC! And what better way to prepare than to train with a professional spelling coach in San Francisco, where his nan lives? Gradually over the summer, Ben gets to know the city, as well as competitor Asha Krishnakumar, who’s equally determined to spell her way to victory. Ben also starts having odd interactions with his nan that leave him feeling like he’s missing something. Where is Nan’s forgetfulness coming from? And will anyone even believe him if he tries to get help? This affecting middle-grade novel explores memory, the transformative power of new adventures, and the challenge of balancing personal dreams with family love and obligation.

From Spelling It Out, written by Margaret Finnegan.

“Nan and San Francisco together would be double fun.”
Click here to view a longer preview of Spelling It Out, written by Margaret Finnegan.

Explore Spelling It Out

Listen to Margaret Finnegan talking with TeachingBooks about creating Spelling It Out. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.

Invitation to Imagine

TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Margaret Finnegan.

Imagination Activity with Margaret Finnegan

A “memory palace” is not a real palace at all. It is a mental trick experts use to memorize long sequences of information. But you can make an actual memory palace to help you remember events and people that are important to you. On a piece of paper, draw a blueprint of your home. In writing, identify the names of the rooms, and then identify the places in your home where memorable things happened. Try to identify at least one memory per room. When you are done, choose one memory from your memory palace, and write a paragraph about it. Describe what happened using as much sensory detail as possible. Then, explain why you hope you will remember this event.

Finish This Sentence . . . with Margaret Finnegan

As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Margaret Finnegan’s response.

“Where I work…”

I work at a desk that sometimes gets pretty messy with papers and to do lists. I know it is time for a break when my dog, Walt, wanders into the room, puts his front paws atop my chair, and looks at me with eyes pleading for attention.

Margaret Finnegan's desk showing her computer and covers of her recent novels.

Margaret Finnegan's dog, Walt, looking at the camera.

“I hope that my book encourages readers to think about…”

I hope that my book encourages kids to think about how they can be true to themselves even when the rest of the world seems to have different ideas about who they can be and what they can do.

More Connections to Margaret Finnegan and Spelling It Out

Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!

Author photo by Skye Moorhead. All other text and images are courtesy of Margaret Finnegan and Simon & Schuster and may not be used without expressed written consent.