Nobody has competed at the Scripps National Spelling Bee more times (six) than Akash Vukoti, author of Spell Anything...Even Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis: A Guide to Becoming Your Regional Spelling Bee Champion and Qualifying for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a book Kirkus Reviews calls “a useful and sometimes inspiring how-to for aspiring bee athletes, full of revealing information and canny tactics.” Perhaps even more impressively, in 2016, he became the youngest-ever competitor at the age of 6, an accomplishment that has yet to be matched.

For Vukoti, a 15-year-old from San Angelo, Texas, his enduring love of language and spelling began before most children are able to construct coherent sentences. “Ever since I was a toddler,” he says, “I’ve had a deep love for words and the English language. My parents say that when I was around 1 or 2, whenever we visited the library, I would always go straight to the alphabet toys in the corner and play with them for hours. Seeing how much I enjoyed them, my parents began buying these toys for me, and soon, I found an interest in learning about words and spelling. My parents took me to compete at my first spelling bee when I was 2, and I absolutely loved it!”

As the author is quick to note, however, a love of language is merely one of a host of qualities necessary to compete in spelling competitions at the highest level. The research and practice involved are daunting, and perseverance and a diligent work ethic are crucial. The daily preparation work is often grueling and repetitive, but remaining laser-focused is key—as is the steadfast support of family and friends. “Every evening after work, my dad would quiz me on the toughest words I had studied from the past few days, and I would consistently review the list to make sure I didn’t miss the same words twice,” he says. “My mom also took the time to create lists of words I found difficult or confusing so I could focus more on learning and less on organizing, and my sister, who also competed at the National Spelling Bee, would oftentimes study with me so we would both get to learn together. These techniques made all the difference for me and are a big inspiration for the lessons I share in the book.”

The author’s accessibly written, encouraging narrative directly reflects his dedication to his craft, and any teen reader interested in spelling and linguistics will discover plenty of things to consider and ample inspiration to strengthen their knowledge daily. Vukoti begins with a welcoming introduction and summary of his process, demonstrating to readers the intellectual and emotional joys to be found—win or lose—along the way:

Beyond the immediate goal of winning, the spelling bee instills a deep appreciation for the process of learning. It inspires students like you to engage with language in a fun, interactive way and promotes the idea that learning should be a lifelong pursuit. The bee is not only a competitive event but an invitation to explore the rich, diverse world of English words and their meanings. This spark of curiosity is contagious, motivating children to take an active interest in language, literature, and education in general.

…

Participating in a spelling bee fosters resilience by demonstrating how to navigate adversity. The pressure of speaking before an audience and tackling challenging words create an environment where failure is a genuine possibility. You’re not going to win every spelling bee you compete in; that is practically impossible. The spelling bee encourages you to persevere, learn from your mistakes, and enhance your skills. The competitive nature of the event pushes you to stay focused, manage stress, and bounce back stronger after setbacks, which fosters mental strength and the ability to face challenges with determination. The spelling bee serves as a reminder that it’s perfectly fine to lose or for others to be ahead of you; what truly counts is the effort you invest and the lessons you take away from the experience.

The upbeat opening sections eventually give way to a meticulously researched exploration of spelling rules and patterns, including orthographic explorations of English words based on their roots in more than a dozen languages, from Arabic to Latin. After these chapters, which require close attention from even linguistically inclined readers, Vukoti provides a “Root Directory,” which includes 200 of the most important roots you need to learn, along with some examples so you can see how these roots appear in context.

Throughout the book, noted our reviewer, “the writing is straightforward, lucid, and practical...but it also has enough erudite insight to allow grown-up linguistics mavens to learn new things as well—in English, Vukoti notes, ‘when you hear a ‘th’ sound at the end of a word, be very careful as to note whether it ends in \th\ (as in think) or \th\ (as in this). The voiceless \th\ will always be spelled with a -th (wreath, breath, loath) at the end of words, but the voiced \th\ will be spelled with a -the (wreathe, breathe, loathe).’ ” Indeed, some of Vukoti’s explanations will require rereading to fully grasp their significance.

Furthermore, the young author offers surprisingly mature lessons in humility and professionalism (“Whether you’re being interviewed on camera or quoted in a newspaper, express gratitude to those who supported you—your parents, teachers, or coaches. Acknowledging others shows humility and makes a great impression.”), as well as the importance of projecting a civilized, respectful image: “While it’s important to relax and be yourself, remember that this is an opportunity to represent your community. Dress appropriately for interviews and speak clearly to leave a positive impression.”

Of course, Vukoti is a voracious reader, and he points to Rick Riordan and his Percy Jackson series as an early inspiration—but also, as a reflection of his intellectual maturity, “Robert Caro for his inspiringly exhaustive research on his political subjects, and Barack Obama for his thoughtful reflections on his public service career. I love reading nonfiction books on leadership and government, as well as language and history, because they help broaden my perspective and connect with my interests in public service and government.”

Anyone who reads this book will conclude that Vukoti has a bright future, no matter what he decides to pursue, and spelling will continue to be important in his intellectual life. “Although the eligibility cutoff for the National Spelling Bee ends after 8th grade,” he says, “I still compete in the University Interscholastic League’s [UIL] high school Spelling & Vocabulary competition here in Texas. I placed eighth at the state level in 2024 and climbed to second place in 2025. It’s a challenge I truly enjoy, and I’m looking forward to competing in my remaining two years of high school and aiming for that top spot.”

Regardless of his direction, he is focused on making sure his lifelong commitment to learning always helps his community. “I plan to study government in college, and my long-term goal is to serve my community and country through public office,” he says. “My experience in spelling bees has helped me develop discipline, communication skills, and a deep appreciation for language, all of which are essential in leadership and public service.”

Eric Liebetrau is a freelance writer and editor based in Charleston, S.C. He is a former longtime managing and nonfiction editor of Kirkus Reviews, and his work has appeared in a variety of national publications.