read your spelling words in the context of great stories

Each year, the Bee publishes the School Spelling Bee Study List, a list of 450 words to help students prepare for school spelling bees. These words come from a list of books carefully selected by the Bee for their engaging and age-appropriate content as well as their rich vocabulary. We call these books the Great Words, Great Works list.

Scripps National Spelling Bee book list
Great Words, Great Works book list logo

this year's list shows grade level and reading level

The 36 books on the 2024 Great Words, Great Works book list are separated both by grade level and the Bee's three reading levels. The list includes contemporary fiction, classics and nonfiction titles.

2023 book list

2022 book list

2021 book list

2020 book list

2019 book list

2018 book list

2017 book list