I love this movie, I used to be obsessed with it when I was younger. I felt so much for Akeela's character feeling like she can't talk to her mom about what she wanted and I felt for her mom as well being busy with work, stressed out and also grieving and having to hide it so she can be strong for her kids. I loved both of Akeela's friends, they were both amazing and supportive of her.
I think Mr. Leribe saw his daughter in Akeela actually and that's why he wanted to step away from coaching her. She reminded him of his daughter, probably in the way she did things. I noticed the way he looked sad when he had her jumping rope while she was spelling that word. He was probably thinking the way she jumped rope was the same way his daughter did.
The montage is my favorite part of the movie, it's so cute and wholesome. I loved that everyone helped her out, even the ones who you think wouldn't have. It brought everyone together and I loved that message. I loved that Dylan and Aleeka both won the spelling bee, I didn't know that could happen.