The Secret Lives of Words: Why Is "Write" Spelled Wrong?

by Jaquish, Michael
ISBN: 9798197661210
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Overview

Why is write spelled with a silent "W"?
Why does knight contain letters nobody pronounces anymore?
And who decided that colonel should sound nothing like it looks?

When curious twins Sam and Sally begin asking impossible questions about strange English words, they are visited by the mysterious and eccentric Word Smith - a magical traveler from Dictionary World with wild white hair, glowing spectacles, and a passion for the secret history hidden inside language itself.

Together, they journey through time and across centuries of linguistic chaos:

  • into ancient villages where the first root words were born,
  • through medieval castles haunted by "ghost sounds,"
  • inside Gutenberg's revolutionary printing shop,
  • and into the grand libraries where dictionaries struggled to capture the ever-changing English language.
Along the way, the children discover that words are not random at all.
They are living history.

Set in England and Europe, the story is filled with luminous illustrations, humor, adventure, and fascinating real-world etymology, The Secret Lives of Words: Why Is "Write" Spelled Wrong? transforms the history of language into a magical fantasy journey for curious readers of all ages.

Perfect for:

  • ages 8-12
  • homeschool enrichment
  • classroom discussion
  • reluctant readers
  • word lovers
  • and anyone, regardless of age, who has ever wondered why English became such a magnificent lexical mess.
Because every word has a story.

NOTE: There is a Parent/Teacher/Librarian guide in the Appendix.

  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Author: Jaquish, Michael
  • ISBN: 9798197661210
  • Condition: New
  • Dimensions: 9.00 x 0.30
  • Number Of Pages: 140
  • Publication Year: 2026
Language: English