Life for 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson isn’t easy, especially after losing her father and growing up in a tough neighborhood in Chicago. Akeelah finds school boring and doesn’t apply herself even though she’s academically gifted.

Through the encouragement of teachers and the coaching of a special mentor, she conquers the regional bee and sets her sights on the Scripps National Spelling Bee. But will she overcome her own self-doubt and the pressures of her personal life to bring home the prestigious honor? This uplifting, family-centric story celebrates “winning” in more ways than one.