Naomi Butler (Children's Literature)
Bird's two goals are to get noticed in this town and to go to Disney World. She is ignored and somewhat mistreated by the kids at school and confides in Miss Delphine. Much of Bird's feelings and character comes out through those conversations. Harlem Tate comes to town and has similar problems. Bird tries to partner with him for the spelling bee when she finds out how good he is at spelling. This is a difficult relationship, but it turns out well for both, even though they do not win the spelling bee. Miss Delphine befriends Harlem, his father and the owner of the tattoo parlor over which Harlem and his father live. Family and friends become very important and life starts to look good for Bird and Harlem. This is both a funny and sad story with a happy ending. No doubt many children will read and relate to some of the experiences. 2003, Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 8 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 9))
When Bird decides to make a friend of Harlem Tate, the big new boy in sixth grade who looks mean and acts dumb, she gets whopped upside the head with a dose of reality. Bird has two goals in life: one, to make the pea-flicking kids notice her; and two, to go to Disney World. With her bowed, skinny legs, toothpick arms, stringy hair, and weird outfits, that first goal isn't likely, but when she convinces Harlem to be her partner for the spelling bee, the prize trip to Disney World might be within reach. Harlem lives with can-collecting Mr. Moody above Ray's Tattoo Parlor, where they practice spelling. Surprisingly, Harlem is a talented speller, but blows the contest by running off the stage. Bird's friend, Miss Delphine, the beautiful young woman next door who cares for her invalid father, persuades Bird to remain Harlem's friend and unearth his problem. Bird's original voice has charm, grit, and spunkiness that, combined with small town sensibilities, unique characters, and humor, spell out a winner. 2003, Frances Foster/Farrar Straus & Giroux, $16.00. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 12. Starred Review. © 2003 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, March 2003 (Vol. 56, No. 7))
All that stands between Burdette “Bird” Weaver and the Spelling Bee first-prize trip to Disney World is her incompetence at spelling, and all that stands between her and a friendship with newcomer Harlem Tate is his reluctance to be befriended. These are but trivial obstacles to one so determined as Bird, who, encouraged by her neighbor and idol Miss Delphine, finds a way to combine the challenges and realize at least the better half of her ambition. While O’Connor follows Bird’s twin assaults on a tough vocabulary list and dour Harlem’s reticence, she also reveals the subtle interplay among the members of fictional Freedom, Georgia’s suffocatingly close community, where the residents may know a bit too much about one another’s business, but quiet acts of neighborliness compensate. Bird’s strong will and good nature are reminiscent of Opal in DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie (BCCB 6/00), and like that other young heroine, Bird not only takes responsibility for securing her own happiness but draws together the adult community around her, indirectly but effectively matchmaking spinster Miss Delphine with the local tattoo artist and bringing light back in to the life of town recluse Mr. Moody, who’s also Harlem’s father. In the end there may not be a trip to the Mouse House in view for Bird, but she’s well satisfied with her new best friend Harlem, and readers will be too. (Reviewed from galleys) Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2003, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2003, Foster/Farrar, 112p, $16.00. Grades 4-7.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2003)
Sixth-grade outcast Bird Weaver doesn't have any friends, but she has dreams: "Just one short day of fame and glory…would be fine with me." She also wants to go to Disney World. A spelling bee offers Bird "the ticket to [her] two goals in life"…plus one more--a friend. She sets her sights on Harlem Tate, first-rate speller and fellow social pariah. An idiosyncratic group of characters play out this story about friendship, family, and connection. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2003, Farrar/Foster, 104pp, $16.00. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Virginia Gleaton (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 16, No. 1))
The main character in this story is a girl named Bird. She really doesn't fit in anywhere. Bird has one friend who lives next door. This lady lives with her elderly father who has had a stroke. All Bird wants is to become famous and go to Disney World. A new boy moves to town and Bird decides that he shall become her friend. He is also a misfit. He lives above a tattoo place with a very strange man who is always collecting cans. The new student seems to not know anything, but Bird discovers he is a great speller. She asks him to be her partner in the spelling bee, and he finally agrees. The rest of the book revolves around their developing relationship. The story has a great plot and teaches a lot of life lessons--without being obvious. Students will find this book enjoyable. Fiction. Grades 4-6. 2003, Frances Foster/Farrar Straus Giroux, 104p., $16.00. Ages 9 to 12.