Feel good movie

I watched "Akeela and the Bee" last evening. Even though it was released in 2006, and been on TV mulitiple times, I had not seen it before. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The story concerns an 11 year old middle schooler (Keke Palmer), whose father had been killed when she was 6, and whose mother (Angela Bassett) works constantly with no time for Akeela or the rest of her children. A teacher realizes Akeela has a talent for spelling, encourages her, and invites a professor friend (Laurence Fishburne) to see her in action in a local bee. Fishburne's character is impressed, agrees to coach her for the district bee, which if she wins, she would have a chance at the national bee in Washington, D.C. School problems, home issues, peer pressures, and emotional upheaval are all a part of the story--and the problems are not just Akeela's: her mother, her friend Georgia, her fellow competitors, and even the professor all have their own griefs and needs and hurts. But, as this is an inspirational, feel good movie, Akeela ties them all together in her quest for the national championship and everyone learns something about themselves and each other and life in general. Palmer is really effective as Akeela,  she does an excellent job as a kid who knows she's different but tries to hide it in order to fit into school, and it's interesting to watch her mature in her outlook as she works with Fishburne's professor toward her goal; and Bassett does a very credible job as the tough talking mom trying to hold things together for her family but somehow missing the boat on this gift her child has. Agreeable entertainment with a positive message.