What do you think?
Rate this book
A Girl Named Helen Keller (Scholastic Hello Reader Level 3 Grades 1 & 2) by Margo Lundell
Book
Library Binding
First published December 1, 1995
6 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 4, 2017
1. Awards received: This book has not received any awards
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool to grade 3.
3. Summary: This book is about a young girl named Helen Keller and all of her adversities that she had to face throughout her life due to her disabilities. A severe illness leaves Helen blind and deaf. Helen’s parents are left distressed, so they reach out to a teacher at the school for the blind named Anne Sullivan. Anne’s job is to teach and help Helen to live amongst those that can see and hear. Although, Anne has a rough time because Helen is wild and rebellious. Soon, against all odds and through many obstacles, Anne is able to assist Helen in being able to understand her surroundings.
4. I think this is a great book for those who are transitioning from picture books to books with more words/sentences. There is still a great deal of watercolor illustrations in the book, but that’s good to help kids since they tend to rely on pictures more than text to understand what they’re reading. I also enjoyed how the book included a sign language alphabet on the last page.
5. Uses in the classroom:
-This can be used to talk about adversities and how the students should never give up on themselves.
-This book can be used to talk about the senses and the actual importance of them in everyday life.
-The kids can learn about the importance of sign language/learn some signs.
-The children can be exposed to the realities of those that are deaf and/or blind.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool to grade 3.
3. Summary: This book is about a young girl named Helen Keller and all of her adversities that she had to face throughout her life due to her disabilities. A severe illness leaves Helen blind and deaf. Helen’s parents are left distressed, so they reach out to a teacher at the school for the blind named Anne Sullivan. Anne’s job is to teach and help Helen to live amongst those that can see and hear. Although, Anne has a rough time because Helen is wild and rebellious. Soon, against all odds and through many obstacles, Anne is able to assist Helen in being able to understand her surroundings.
4. I think this is a great book for those who are transitioning from picture books to books with more words/sentences. There is still a great deal of watercolor illustrations in the book, but that’s good to help kids since they tend to rely on pictures more than text to understand what they’re reading. I also enjoyed how the book included a sign language alphabet on the last page.
5. Uses in the classroom:
-This can be used to talk about adversities and how the students should never give up on themselves.
-This book can be used to talk about the senses and the actual importance of them in everyday life.
-The kids can learn about the importance of sign language/learn some signs.
-The children can be exposed to the realities of those that are deaf and/or blind.
July 24, 2019
This brief biography of Helen Keller focuses on her childhood. Deaf and blind from an early age young Helen was understandably frustrated. But her parents did not know how to reach their daughter who was becoming increasingly wild and unruly. The Perkins School for the Blind sent Anne Sullivan to the Keller home. She not only possessed the necessary skills she also had a rock solid determination that eventually broke through to the isolated young girl. Later Helen would describe the day of Sullivan’s arrival as the “birthday of her soul.” They would be together for the rest of Anne’s life. Helen went on to live a remarkable life despite her challenges thanks to Sullivan’s perseverance and her own determination not to let other people’s expectations restrict her dreams. The book’s simple sentences are designed for students in grades 1 and 2 who are starting to read short chapter books. The water color illustrations are full of details of life in late 19th century America and add interest to the sparse text.
April 22, 2020
A Girl Named Helen Keller is a true story about Helen Keller. Helen was blind and deaf, and her parents struggled with how to help her for a very long. She misbehaved, and seemed isolated from those around her. Finally, they hired her a special teacher, Anna Sullivan. She was able to reach Helen, and help her learn words and how to behave properly. It took a lot of time and patience, but it finally worked. Helen grew up to be very smart, to write books, and to help other blind and deaf people.
The book has large, watercolor pictures illustrating the text. This is a beginner reader book, so the pictures help readers understand the text better. There is quite a bit of dialogue between characters, to help tell the story.
I gave this book 4 stars. It does a good job of explaining Helen Keller's life and struggles in a way that is simple enough for young children to understand. It is informational, and tells her life in the way of a story so it is still engaging. It would be a good book for any younger kids looking to do research on an inspirational person.
The book has large, watercolor pictures illustrating the text. This is a beginner reader book, so the pictures help readers understand the text better. There is quite a bit of dialogue between characters, to help tell the story.
I gave this book 4 stars. It does a good job of explaining Helen Keller's life and struggles in a way that is simple enough for young children to understand. It is informational, and tells her life in the way of a story so it is still engaging. It would be a good book for any younger kids looking to do research on an inspirational person.
November 9, 2017
Awards the book has received (if any): none
Appropriate grade level(s): kindergarten- second
Original 3-line summary: This book is about young Helen Keller and how her name came about. It shows how she was as a child and how it was to deal with her disabilities and how she over came them. In the end, it shows how Helen pushed through these hardships to end up at Harvard.
Original 3-line review: From first glance, the cover of the book kind of confused me because I have no idea what its trying to portray. I think this book is good because I feel like since Helen Keller didn't do much in history(like a president), it shows how important she really is.
2-3 possible in-class uses: good for an inclusive class who has a deaf or blind person
- good for general education classes so they too can learn about disabilities and how they are people just like them
Appropriate grade level(s): kindergarten- second
Original 3-line summary: This book is about young Helen Keller and how her name came about. It shows how she was as a child and how it was to deal with her disabilities and how she over came them. In the end, it shows how Helen pushed through these hardships to end up at Harvard.
Original 3-line review: From first glance, the cover of the book kind of confused me because I have no idea what its trying to portray. I think this book is good because I feel like since Helen Keller didn't do much in history(like a president), it shows how important she really is.
2-3 possible in-class uses: good for an inclusive class who has a deaf or blind person
- good for general education classes so they too can learn about disabilities and how they are people just like them
April 26, 2019
This book has not received any awards, and it would be appropriate for children in 2nd-4th grade.
This tells the story of Helen Keller, a girl who was deaf and blind. After a long struggle, her teacher is finally able to teach her the meaning of words. Helen Keller grew up and graduated college with honors, met with presidents, and motivated many who were like her.
I really like how this story is told, and the illustrations that go with it. I also think it is a good transition from picture to chapter books. I also like that it has the ASL alphabet included in the book.
This can be used in a classroom when discussing ASL. It can also be used when learning about the senses; children can think about how hard it would be if any of them were missing.
This tells the story of Helen Keller, a girl who was deaf and blind. After a long struggle, her teacher is finally able to teach her the meaning of words. Helen Keller grew up and graduated college with honors, met with presidents, and motivated many who were like her.
I really like how this story is told, and the illustrations that go with it. I also think it is a good transition from picture to chapter books. I also like that it has the ASL alphabet included in the book.
This can be used in a classroom when discussing ASL. It can also be used when learning about the senses; children can think about how hard it would be if any of them were missing.
July 7, 2019
I don't recall which author wrote the book I read about Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, but it was the first book I ever read. I borrowed it from my school library in the springtime, after a months of browsing the bookshelves. It seemed to take a while to find a book I really wanted to read! I'm forever thankful it started me on a reading adventure that took me through the eight grade. Until the last year, I remained just as careful to choose and select the books I only truly wanted to get to know. At that time, I guess my reading journey had become a chore and I was ready to try something new! Thank you all you wonderful, talented, incredible authors!!
June 13, 2021
⭐The Good
*I work with the Deaf and I think they'd approve of this book for the most part.
*The illustrations are GORGEOUS. They deserve an award.
*Great introduction to deafness and blindness for kids
*Doesn't make you pity Helen, rather it shows a person's potential
*Brings up AGB without putting him on a pedestal
📝 What Lacked
*I don't understand why they don't say 'American Sign Language' or 'The ASL Alphabet' and instead say 'The One Hand Manual Alphabet' or 'An alphabet of hand signs'. I know she mostly spelled (which is more of a code than a language since she's using English grammar).
*I work with the Deaf and I think they'd approve of this book for the most part.
*The illustrations are GORGEOUS. They deserve an award.
*Great introduction to deafness and blindness for kids
*Doesn't make you pity Helen, rather it shows a person's potential
*Brings up AGB without putting him on a pedestal
📝 What Lacked
*I don't understand why they don't say 'American Sign Language' or 'The ASL Alphabet' and instead say 'The One Hand Manual Alphabet' or 'An alphabet of hand signs'. I know she mostly spelled (which is more of a code than a language since she's using English grammar).
September 18, 2018
One of my favorite books growing up. Wonderful illustrations and writing style, I remember being sucked in as if I was there when I was little. Also excellent introduction to the story of Helen Keller for a kid. Simple, informative, and thought provoking. Would recommend. - Zoe
February 26, 2018
Super short but also super great. I like how I know people through the pages. I wish this could be longer.
May 25, 2019
قصة للأطفال مزودة بصور لخصت حكاية هيلين كيلر بطريقة ملهمة للأطفال
January 29, 2020
This told Helen’s story well. The illustrations were faithful to Helen and her family.
Want to read
June 5, 2020Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2021
Unos de los mejores libros que he leído
September 6, 2023
Estaba en el escritorio de mi mamá y un libro es un libro para el reto
April 27, 2016
Title: A Girl Named Helen Keller
Author: Margo Lundell
Illustrator: Irene Trivas
Genre: Biography
Theme(s): Challenges, overcoming obstacles, living with illness and disabilities and historic figures
Opening line/sentence: The summer was hot. The year was 1880.
Brief Book Summary: This book is a biography about Helen Keller, a famous woman who suffered from an illness that left her blind and deaf. This book tells about her struggles and how she was able to still have drive and passion to learn to speak and went to Harvard despite her disabilities.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Judy Katsh (Children's Literature)
This biographical entry into the "Hello Reader!" series for beginning readers proves that simply read books need not be boring, meaningless or trivial. Here is a well-written account of Helen Keller's life. Her accomplishments are outlined, as are the hardships and setbacks she faced along the way. The quality writing is accompanied by personable full-color illustrations and preceded by a note to parents written by an educational consultant that describes the most effective ways of reading to and with children. It's an inviting package. 1995, Scholastic, $3.50. Ages 6 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Scholastic (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1995.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Scholastic
After a severe illness, Helen Keller is left blind and deaf. Her parents are devastated and eventually hire Anne Sullivan, a teacher from a school for the blind, to help her live in the world among other sighted and hearing children. But Anne Sullivan must tame the wild and rebellious Helen before she can begin the long process of helping her to understand her surroundings. At last and seemingly against all odds, Anne's tenacity pays off, Helen has a profound breakthrough, which leads Helen to write later in life about that moment when "my heart began to sing!"
Readers exposed to the remarkable life of Helen Keller for the very first time will find this version of her inspiring story easy to read. Being a first Hello Reader! book, it tells Helen's story using basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary. First-level Hello Reader! books offer punch-out flash cards and six additional pages of skill-building activities. Although simply told for new readers, Helen's story never comes off as boring or trivial. Appealing, full-color illustrations accompany the text, which is preceded with a note to parents written by an educational consultant who outlines effective ways to read to and with children. A sign-language alphabet included on the book's final page will help young readers further identify with book's remarkable subject.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I completely agree with these two reviews. I think that this book does a wonderful job of keeping the story of Helen Keller interesting while making it an easy read for beginner readers. I also find this story perfect for beginner readers to comprehend since there are illustrations included so that the readers can refer to the pictures in order for the text to make sense. This book does a wonderful job of telling the story of Helen Keller.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book consists of of simple sentences that keep the reader interested in the story. The overall plot of the story is portrayed in a way that students will want to keep reading.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book to teach students that they can overcome any obstacle that they come across in life. We would have a whole class discussion about the difficulties Helen Keller faced throughout her life and how she overcame them. I would then have the students brainstorm then write or draw about a time that they faced a difficulty and overcame it. I will give the students multiple examples to help them get started to brainstorm. I could also use this book to teach about disabilities. It would teach children that even though some people may seem different they are capable of the same things as we are.
Author: Margo Lundell
Illustrator: Irene Trivas
Genre: Biography
Theme(s): Challenges, overcoming obstacles, living with illness and disabilities and historic figures
Opening line/sentence: The summer was hot. The year was 1880.
Brief Book Summary: This book is a biography about Helen Keller, a famous woman who suffered from an illness that left her blind and deaf. This book tells about her struggles and how she was able to still have drive and passion to learn to speak and went to Harvard despite her disabilities.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Judy Katsh (Children's Literature)
This biographical entry into the "Hello Reader!" series for beginning readers proves that simply read books need not be boring, meaningless or trivial. Here is a well-written account of Helen Keller's life. Her accomplishments are outlined, as are the hardships and setbacks she faced along the way. The quality writing is accompanied by personable full-color illustrations and preceded by a note to parents written by an educational consultant that describes the most effective ways of reading to and with children. It's an inviting package. 1995, Scholastic, $3.50. Ages 6 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Scholastic (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1995.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Scholastic
After a severe illness, Helen Keller is left blind and deaf. Her parents are devastated and eventually hire Anne Sullivan, a teacher from a school for the blind, to help her live in the world among other sighted and hearing children. But Anne Sullivan must tame the wild and rebellious Helen before she can begin the long process of helping her to understand her surroundings. At last and seemingly against all odds, Anne's tenacity pays off, Helen has a profound breakthrough, which leads Helen to write later in life about that moment when "my heart began to sing!"
Readers exposed to the remarkable life of Helen Keller for the very first time will find this version of her inspiring story easy to read. Being a first Hello Reader! book, it tells Helen's story using basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary. First-level Hello Reader! books offer punch-out flash cards and six additional pages of skill-building activities. Although simply told for new readers, Helen's story never comes off as boring or trivial. Appealing, full-color illustrations accompany the text, which is preceded with a note to parents written by an educational consultant who outlines effective ways to read to and with children. A sign-language alphabet included on the book's final page will help young readers further identify with book's remarkable subject.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I completely agree with these two reviews. I think that this book does a wonderful job of keeping the story of Helen Keller interesting while making it an easy read for beginner readers. I also find this story perfect for beginner readers to comprehend since there are illustrations included so that the readers can refer to the pictures in order for the text to make sense. This book does a wonderful job of telling the story of Helen Keller.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book consists of of simple sentences that keep the reader interested in the story. The overall plot of the story is portrayed in a way that students will want to keep reading.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book to teach students that they can overcome any obstacle that they come across in life. We would have a whole class discussion about the difficulties Helen Keller faced throughout her life and how she overcame them. I would then have the students brainstorm then write or draw about a time that they faced a difficulty and overcame it. I will give the students multiple examples to help them get started to brainstorm. I could also use this book to teach about disabilities. It would teach children that even though some people may seem different they are capable of the same things as we are.
Read
November 29, 2015Title: A girl named Helen Keller
Author: Margo Lundell
Illustrator: Irene Trivas
Genre: Biography (k-2)
Theme(s): challenge and over coming, living with illness and disabilities, historic figures
Opening line/sentence: The summer was hot. The year was 1880.
Brief Book Summary: The famous story about Helen Keller, a girl who suffered a severe illness and left blind and deaf. But she was not beat by this infortune, but she learned to speak, learned different, went to Harvard and became very successful.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Children's Literature - Judy Katsh
This biographical entry into the "Hello Reader!" series for beginning readers proves that simply read books need not be boring, meaningless or trivial. Here is a well-written account of Helen Keller's life. Her accomplishments are outlined, as are the hardships and setbacks she faced along the way. The quality writing is accompanied by personable full-color illustrations and preceded by a note to parents written by an educational consultant that describes the most effective ways of reading to and with children. It's an inviting package.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Scholastic
After a severe illness, Helen Keller is left blind and deaf. Her parents are devastated and eventually hire Anne Sullivan, a teacher from a school for the blind, to help her live in the world among other sighted and hearing children. But Anne Sullivan must tame the wild and rebellious Helen before she can begin the long process of helping her to understand her surroundings. At last and seemingly against all odds, Anne's tenacity pays off, Helen has a profound breakthrough, which leads Helen to write later in life about that moment when "my heart began to sing!"
Readers exposed to the remarkable life of Helen Keller for the very first time will find this version of her inspiring story easy to read. Being a first Hello Reader! book, it tells Helen's story using basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary. First-level Hello Reader! books offer punch-out flash cards and six additional pages of skill-building activities. Although simply told for new readers, Helen's story never comes off as boring or trivial. Appealing, full-color illustrations accompany the text, which is preceded with a note to parents written by an educational consultant who outlines effective ways to read to and with children. A sign-language alphabet included on the book's final page will help young readers further identify with book's remarkable subject.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree thatThis is an easy-reading of a world-famous biography. The author mainly used basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary, which meets with the need of early graders. There is more illustrations than texts, which is also very appeal to early readers because when they read, they rely more on pictures than texts.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The opening sentences are very simple but strong. The sentence sompositoin is appropriate for lower graders. The illustration is mainly done by watercolor; it’s soft and inspiring. Just like the story itself.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Never give up, believe in yourself, believe in miracle. Students can think about what is different about Helen Keller? What made she successful after all the infortune she had gone through?
Author: Margo Lundell
Illustrator: Irene Trivas
Genre: Biography (k-2)
Theme(s): challenge and over coming, living with illness and disabilities, historic figures
Opening line/sentence: The summer was hot. The year was 1880.
Brief Book Summary: The famous story about Helen Keller, a girl who suffered a severe illness and left blind and deaf. But she was not beat by this infortune, but she learned to speak, learned different, went to Harvard and became very successful.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Children's Literature - Judy Katsh
This biographical entry into the "Hello Reader!" series for beginning readers proves that simply read books need not be boring, meaningless or trivial. Here is a well-written account of Helen Keller's life. Her accomplishments are outlined, as are the hardships and setbacks she faced along the way. The quality writing is accompanied by personable full-color illustrations and preceded by a note to parents written by an educational consultant that describes the most effective ways of reading to and with children. It's an inviting package.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Scholastic
After a severe illness, Helen Keller is left blind and deaf. Her parents are devastated and eventually hire Anne Sullivan, a teacher from a school for the blind, to help her live in the world among other sighted and hearing children. But Anne Sullivan must tame the wild and rebellious Helen before she can begin the long process of helping her to understand her surroundings. At last and seemingly against all odds, Anne's tenacity pays off, Helen has a profound breakthrough, which leads Helen to write later in life about that moment when "my heart began to sing!"
Readers exposed to the remarkable life of Helen Keller for the very first time will find this version of her inspiring story easy to read. Being a first Hello Reader! book, it tells Helen's story using basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary. First-level Hello Reader! books offer punch-out flash cards and six additional pages of skill-building activities. Although simply told for new readers, Helen's story never comes off as boring or trivial. Appealing, full-color illustrations accompany the text, which is preceded with a note to parents written by an educational consultant who outlines effective ways to read to and with children. A sign-language alphabet included on the book's final page will help young readers further identify with book's remarkable subject.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree thatThis is an easy-reading of a world-famous biography. The author mainly used basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary, which meets with the need of early graders. There is more illustrations than texts, which is also very appeal to early readers because when they read, they rely more on pictures than texts.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The opening sentences are very simple but strong. The sentence sompositoin is appropriate for lower graders. The illustration is mainly done by watercolor; it’s soft and inspiring. Just like the story itself.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Never give up, believe in yourself, believe in miracle. Students can think about what is different about Helen Keller? What made she successful after all the infortune she had gone through?
October 19, 2018
A revealing biography about a girl born deaf and dumb. Her parents could make no headway with her until they got a teacher, Anne Sullivan. This teacher saved Helen's life, although she wasn't able to make a breakthrough with her until she spelled w-a-t-e-r in Helen's hand and had her feel water. Helen later wrote, "It was as if I had come back to life after being dead". Anne and Helen stayed together until Anne died. Helen was able to accomplish many noteworthy things in her life because of her teacher. A must-read novel about overcoming adversity!
July 24, 2019
Helen Keller was blind and deaf. She was a very unruly child because no one could teach her. Helen had a special teacher come and help her and teach her what she needed to know. With that teachers help, Helen was able to not only change herself, but change the world.
I really enjoyed the water color pictures. They were soft and the colors were pretty. I also enjoyed them because it helped give a better sense of what was happening in the story. I also loved that I learned things that I wouldn't have known otherwise. For example, the book said when Helen was a child that she would go around the dinner table eating off of everyone's plates. She didn't know any better and she wasn't taught that it wasn't acceptable/normal. My favorite part of the story is when her teacher is working with her and is trying to teach her what water means. It clicks in Helen's head what's going on and what her teacher is trying to do. It's a beautiful and life-changing moment for Helen. Helen finally understands what water means and that her teacher is teaching her to communicate.
A good activity for this book would be to blindfold a student and have the other students hold their hands and guide them without saying anything. They would get a feel for what it's like to not be able to see or know where they are going and to trust who is guiding them. They could have a simple obstacle to go through or a game to play.
I really enjoyed the water color pictures. They were soft and the colors were pretty. I also enjoyed them because it helped give a better sense of what was happening in the story. I also loved that I learned things that I wouldn't have known otherwise. For example, the book said when Helen was a child that she would go around the dinner table eating off of everyone's plates. She didn't know any better and she wasn't taught that it wasn't acceptable/normal. My favorite part of the story is when her teacher is working with her and is trying to teach her what water means. It clicks in Helen's head what's going on and what her teacher is trying to do. It's a beautiful and life-changing moment for Helen. Helen finally understands what water means and that her teacher is teaching her to communicate.
A good activity for this book would be to blindfold a student and have the other students hold their hands and guide them without saying anything. They would get a feel for what it's like to not be able to see or know where they are going and to trust who is guiding them. They could have a simple obstacle to go through or a game to play.
October 28, 2013
The story of Helen Keller's life written for students who are starting to read paragraphs and short chapter books. It was not terribly captivating but it was very informative and would be useful in introducing biographies.
Interest Level: K-2
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.8
Lexile Measure: 350
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: K
Interest Level: K-2
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.8
Lexile Measure: 350
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: K
November 13, 2011
Beginner biographical chapter book for 1st and 2nd graders. Text quickly and briefly shares the life and story of Hellen Keler. Water color illustrations, simple text, no difficult vocabulary words, and useful access features such as a glossary and an alphabet sign language manual.
December 3, 2012
This is a child friendly life story of Helen Keller. This book would be great for students just moving to chapter books! It is also a great book for teaching how to research to young children. Children are learning to research in 2nd grade and I think this is a great book to start with!
February 4, 2015
The plot hop-scotched over ever event it detailed, which is to say mentioned -- if a page or two describing the goings on in Keller's life count as mentioning anything at all. The sentences were abruptly short. I will never read this book again.
November 1, 2015
I love that this book is more story-like, even though it can be used an an informational text for a child to write a report on a famous American. It talks about overcoming adversity among other things, and is an great example of what a role model should look like.
Read
April 17, 200892 Kel
March 8, 2011
Read this with my daughter and her bookclub (Third Grade). Very interesting
October 12, 2013
Almost too long for a read-aloud, but not quite. This biography of Helen Keller's struggle to discover language through the perseverance of her teacher Anne Sullivan is an inspiring story.
Want to read
January 20, 2014eat healthy food
May 17, 2017
Was informative which is what was needed for a school paper
February 28, 2015
The life of Helen Keller portrayed both in words and beautiful illustrations. The book is mostly about Helen's childhood. It is a good read for children. I as an adult enjoyed it too.
December 2, 2016
I'm in love :$
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews