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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.
Weird and Wonderful You
Weird and Wonderful You
Zaila Avant-garde , Kah Yangni
9780593568965
$18.99 US
Hardcover
Jul 22, 2025
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years
Sports Are Fun!
Sports Are Fun!
Zaila Avant-garde , Felicia Whaley
9780593571705
$5.99 US
Paperback
May 13, 2025
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 7-9 years
It's Not Bragging If It's True
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
9780593706930
$8.99 US
Paperback
May 07, 2024
Yearling
Age 8-12 years
Words Are Magic!
Words Are Magic!
Zaila Avant-garde , Felicia Whaley
9780593571675
$5.99 US
Paperback
Jan 02, 2024
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 4-6 years
Words of Wonder from Z to A
Words of Wonder from Z to A
Zaila Avant-garde , Keisha Morris
9780593568934
$18.99 US
Hardcover
Jun 27, 2023
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

Books

Weird and Wonderful You
Weird and Wonderful You
Zaila Avant-garde, Kah Yangni
9780593568965
$18.99 US
Hardcover
Jul 22, 2025
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years
Sports Are Fun!
Sports Are Fun!
Zaila Avant-garde, Felicia Whaley
9780593571705
$5.99 US
Paperback
May 13, 2025
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 7-9 years
It's Not Bragging If It's True
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
9780593706930
$8.99 US
Paperback
May 07, 2024
Yearling
Age 8-12 years
Words Are Magic!
Words Are Magic!
Zaila Avant-garde, Felicia Whaley
9780593571675
$5.99 US
Paperback
Jan 02, 2024
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 4-6 years
Words of Wonder from Z to A
Words of Wonder from Z to A
Zaila Avant-garde, Keisha Morris
9780593568934
$18.99 US
Hardcover
Jun 27, 2023
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

Related Articles

Words of Wonder from Z to A
Children's Blog

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,

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Words of Wonder from Z to A

Children's Blog
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