Was It I Before E Except After C? Bee a Spelling Champion with Word Games

The definition of stichomythia is "a dialogue in which two characters speak alternative lines of verse, used as a stylistic device in ancient Greek drama."

You didn't know that?

Well, neither did I, but I also did not win last year's National Spelling Bee. This year it takes place on May 28, and instead of dusting off your dictionaries to prepare for it, how about we make a game of it?

Word games are more necessary than ever. Spell-check is available on phones, tablets, computers and other devices we use to communicate. I need to practice, but please, no tests! Instead check out these books that are sure to get your brain working.

Brush up on your grammar skills with the English Teacher's Book of Instant Word Games. These are quick 15-minute exercises that you can assign to yourself. If you don't complete your homework, detention for you!

For a more historical take on word puzzles, check out Riddle Me This. This book contains historical stumpers from around the world, evidence that games have been a part of human culture for generations.

For brain games in all subjects, try The Universe in A Handkerchief: Lewis Carroll's Mathematical Recreations, Games, Puzzles and Word Play. Many people forget that Carroll was a professor of mathematics trained at Oxford. His love for logic and word play is clear in his beloved tale Alice in Wonderland. This book takes a closer look at the puzzles his fictional characters had to solve.

Play Word Games at the Library

When you're through reading, come on down to the Harold Washington Library Center to play some word games in person. We have Scrabble, Bananagrams and Quiddler available on the 6th floor. Check out how to play Quiddler and battle your friends to become the greatest wordsmith!