Zaila Avant-garde

ZAILA AVANT-GARDE is a multi-talented powerhouse and a New York Times bestselling author, with success springing from all her endeavors. She was named SportsKid of the Year 2021 by Sports Illustrated Kids.

Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, she won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee, making her the first African-American to win in almost 100 years of the competition. Avant-garde landed on her winning word, murraya—a type of tree—by associating the word with famous comedian Bill Murray, who surprised her by phoning in during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Avant-garde’s spelling triumph is just one entry on a very impressive resume. Along with competing in spelling bees for two years, Avant-garde holds two Guinness World Records for her basketball prowess. She holds the records for the most bounce juggles in one minute (four basketballs) and most basketballs dribbled simultaneously by one person (six basketballs).

Her success has been celebrated by the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, and Dr. Jill Biden, who attended the bee. Since winning the Bee, Zaila has appeared in a cameo role in Netflix’s “HUSTLE”, as well as NBA on TNT, and Peacock’s “Kid’s Tonight Show”. You can also see her displaying her basketball skills in brand campaigns for Carnival Cruise Lines, BYJU, Xbox, and Gymshark.

Books

It's Not Bragging If It's True

How to Be Awesome at Life, from a Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee

Zaila Avant-garde

978-0-593-70693-0

$8.99 US

Paperback

May 07, 2024

Yearling

Age 8-12 years

Words Are Magic!

Zaila Avant-garde , Felicia Whaley

978-0-593-57167-5

$5.99 US

Paperback

Jan 02, 2024

Random House Books for Young Readers

Age 4-6 years

Words of Wonder from Z to A

Zaila Avant-garde , Keisha Morris

978-0-593-56893-4

$18.99 US

Hardcover

Jun 27, 2023

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Age 3-7 years

Books

It's Not Bragging If It's True

How to Be Awesome at Life, from a Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee

Zaila Avant-garde

978-0-593-70693-0

$8.99 US

Paperback

May 07, 2024

Yearling

Age 8-12 years

Words Are Magic!

Zaila Avant-garde, Felicia Whaley

978-0-593-57167-5

$5.99 US

Paperback

Jan 02, 2024

Random House Books for Young Readers

Age 4-6 years

Words of Wonder from Z to A

Zaila Avant-garde, Keisha Morris

978-0-593-56893-4

$18.99 US

Hardcover

Jun 27, 2023

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Age 3-7 years

Children's Blog

May 11 2023

Words of Wonder from Z to A

An inspiring picture book from Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, filled with her favorite motivational words from Z to A. Perfect for your little book lover and spelling ace! When 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, the world took notice. Now,