Helen Keller's Teacher

Scholastic Biography

by Margaret Davidson

The true story of the dedicated woman, Anne Sullivan Macy (April 14, 1866 – October 20, 1936), originally from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who became Helen Keller's inspirational teacher and lifelong friend.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Classics, Historical, Biography Memoir

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Margaret Davidson grew up in New York City. As a child, she always loved to read.

She initially published books under her nickname and maiden name of Mickie Compere and also as Mickie Davidson

She has written many biographies, true stories about people's lives. Some famous people she has written biographies about are Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Golda Meir.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five out of five stars does not do this book justice in my opinion. I would rather 10/10. Actually maybe 10/5!
I have been a lover of Helen Keller all of my life. I have read anything that I could find on her. It was very interesting to look at her through Annie's eyes.
The book starts off with Annie's background. Little Annie Sullivan grew up on her cousin's tobacco farm because her mother had died and her father couldn't take care of her and her siblings. Other relatives were in charge of her brother Jimmy and her sister Mary. Coming from a poor family that had recently moved to America to get away from the Irish famine took it's toll on all the Sullivans. Alice, the mother, and Jimmy developed tuberculosis. Thomas, the father, turned to alcohol to soothe his pains. Mary, the baby, by all accounts may be normal. Joanna, Annie's real name, developed Trachoma. Annie would spend her whole life in various degrees of bad vision. Finding all this unfair, the only thing little Annie could think to do was rage against everyone. Since no one could control her or pay for little Jimmy's treatments, they were sent to the Tewksbury. Tewksbury was a neglected poor house, but it was the home the children knew for many years. Eventually Annie got to go to school but her life was never easy. After graduation she was introduced to Helen. Annie transformed Helen from a spoiled confused child into a college graduate and professional writer. Who could accomplish such feats with a child that was blind, deaf, and mute? Annie Sullivan could, that's who.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous version!

[Karen Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:

The story begins when Annie Sullivan, as a young girl, is being sent away, along with her younger brother, Jimmie, because her relatives can no longer care for them. They are sent to the Massachusetts State Infirmary, or "poorhouse" as it was called,in Tewksbury. The director there learns that their parents, Thomas and Alice, came over from Ireland during the famine. They were poor, but happy for a time. Their luck then changed for the worse. Annie's eyes began to itch and develop granules. Doctors cost a lot of money, and none could help her. Then, Alice developed tuberculosis, and bore two more children.
Jimmie had a tubercular hip, but Mary was healthy. Thomas began drinking heavily, Alice died, and the children were split up. The relatives who were caring for Annie and Jimmie could no longer manage because of the money, so they were sent to Tewksbury, the only place that would take them. Jimmie grew weaker and eventually died there. Annie, who was virtually blind, wanted to go to school. A priest who visited Tewksbury tried to help Annie to regain her sight by taking her to a doctor. Annie then endured three operations, none of which made her eyes any better. Then, a state inspection of the poorhouse brought officials there. Annie begged them for help, and a few days later, she was enrolled at Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston as a charity pupil. She was 14 years old, and found it difficult and humiliating to be put in a class with much younger children, who made fun of her. Annie struggled through and did well in her studies. At 16, she got a summer job as a maid at a boarding house. One of the guests there knew of a doctor who may be able to help her, and, after two more operations on her eyes, she could see. She was still classified as half blind, but she was happy to be able to see at all! For the next three years, Annie helped the teachers, with the younger children, and spent summers with the new house mother. After graduation, she was offered a job as governess to deaf/blind/mute Helen Keller. Annie used her knowledge of Braille and the manual alphabet to successfully open up the world to Helen. After teaching Helen to mind her and to behave properly, Annie taught her words by spelling them into her hand and touching the object with the other hand. One day, while spelling the word water while running Helen's other hand under the water, Helen made the connection. Annie also taught Helen about feelings and emotions, and she understood their meanings as well. Helen Keller was also the second deaf/blind/mute person in history to learn to speak with her mouth. Annie and Helen were inseperable for the rest of Annie's life. Helen graduated from Radcliffe College, wrote books and magazine articles about her life, and toured with Annie by her side, lecturing about the problems of the handicapped. Annie Sullivan died on October 19, 1936. Helen Keller went on to live a full and amazing life. Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher, was successful in allowing Helen to live independently.


Age Range:

Intermediate-ages 8-12 The language and vocabulary in this book are appropriate and understandable to this age group.


Artistic Elements:

This book contains black and white drawings that depict the key moments in the story.


Recommendation:

I would recommend this book because it is well written and informative and it teaches children about the problems of the blind and deaf. It also tells how Annie Sullivan taught Helen Keller to communicate. This edition, however, says nothing of Annie's marriage.

[Kerri (Book Hoarder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that gives you hope. If you don't know the story of Helen Keller, you should check this out - however even if you do know the story of Helen Keller, this is still worth a read. It takes you into the lives of Helen and the teacher who brought her out of silence and darkness.

Above all I'd say that this is a story of hope, courage and stubbornness - on both sides - and also one of love and friendship. I spotted it on my 'read' list and thought I'd pop in a review, because it really is one of those books that's heartwarming and deserves recognition.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave great insight into what Annie Sullivan's life
was like and how her background helped her to serve Helen
Keller for so long. She had a very difficult young life both
with her family experiences, poverty, and health issues.
Annie's life experiences in the poor house with other vision-impaired
women helped her understand how to teach Helen Keller and how
to encourage Helen to reach out of her quiet, dark world.

[Emma Grace Blumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring and accessible read for kids. It is somewhat heavy at the beginning for younger readers/listeners, because Annie Sullivan’s life was super difficult. Not sugarcoating that helps the reader truly appreciate how she overcame those hardships and fueled her determination to love Helen out of the prison of “no-world”. It certainly made an impression on my daughter, and I’m thankful we could learn about these incredible women together.

[Cecilia Burk Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone dies, so it might be a little freaky and extremely sad for a kid, but my nine year old daughter and I read this together after she made a goal to try some non-fiction books. She loved it! It was SO interesting. I've known the story of Helen for years, but Annie Sullivan's life was really interesting. Makes her work with Helen make more sense and have more meaning.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up close to the famous Perkins School for the Blind and near the Helen Keller Memorial in the Radcliffe Yard, I read this book repeatedly as a child and reread for the #1965Club in 2019. Here is a link to my review:

https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...

[Matilda Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the late 19th century, Annie Sullivan contracted a highly contagious eye disease. Her younger brother, Jimmy, had a tubercular hip. When their parents died, nobody wanted them and they were sent to the poorhouse in Tewkesbury, Massachusetts. Annie had a terrible experience there. She used to play in the deadhouse with Jimmy, the room next door to their dormitory, which Jimmy and Annie shared with several old ladies with terrible sicknesses. When someone died, their body would be reeled off into the deadhouse until their funeral.

As time passed, Annie's eyes got worse and worse and Jimmy's hip grew so bad it pained him to stand up on his crutches and turn over in bed. Annie helped Jimmy to walk and Jimmy became Annie's eyes. They were never apart, until one fateful day. At night, Jimmy and Annie would pull their beds close together so at night Annie could reach over and hold Jimmy's hand. But this night when she reached over, she felt nothing but the air. When she checked in the deadhouse, Jimmy's limp body lay on the floor and Annie cried and cried.

Soon after this, she became completely blind. She would talk with an old lady named Laura Bridgman who was deaf, blind and mute, but had been taught to connect special movements of the hand with objects. She could now read with her fingers. The only thing she had to rely on were her hands.

One day, some tall men in buisness suits arrived to check everything was alright at the poorhouse. Annie clung to one of the men and told them of the terrible things that had happened to her. One of the men took pity on her and agreed for her to be sent to school.

As Annie grew up she understood what it was like to be blind. She had experience. But she had no education, so she was unable to find a job. Then one day, when she was just over 20 years old, she received a letter from her previous teacher, Mr Anagnos. It was a job offer to teach a deaf, blind, mute girl named Helen Keller.

Annie didn't really want to, but what other choice did she have? She might be the only person who could reach through to her. She was Helen's only chance. So she set off at once to teach Helen. Because of Helen's disabilities, her family had spoiled her since she was born. That was five years ago, and Helen was used to getting exactly what she wanted.

To teach Helen to link word and object, Annie first had to win her friendship. Unfortunately, since Helen was not easily won over by strangers who wouldn't do as she said, this took a rather long time. As long as her family were near, she would run to her mother and demand a cuddle and a slice of cake. Her mother, having pity on her poor child, would grant this request and all Annie's hard work was undone. Annie moved into the shed-like house in the back garden to teach Helen without her parents around. After lots of struggle, she won Helen's friendship and began to teach her.

No matter how many times Annie tapped the letters B-O-X into Helen's palm and gave Helen a box to hold Helen did not seem to make the connection. Finally, Annie took Helen to the water fountain and held her hands under the water, shaped the letters W-A-T-E-R into her palm. This was a special moment. Helen understood. From this moment on, Helen was able to learn more and more words. Within four months she knew over 500 words and her vocabulary kept growing.

When she was twelve, she wanted to go to university and study and a few years later, she stood at her graduation ceremony with Annie standing beside her. When Helen grew up, Annie grew older too, until Annie died. Often Helen felt like giving up, then thought of Annie or T-E-A-C-H-E-R, as she knew her, and carried on. She travelled all over the place helping other people and writing books about the blind, deaf and mute and her fascinating life story.

This book wasn't over-detailed and quite a lot of information was crammed into it. Although it was quite short, I still managed to like the characters and feel like I was there too. I loved reading this with my sister and my mum over what felt like a few days, but what was actually a few months! This book helped me to understand Helen and Annie a bit more. Also, it's very educational - not just a brilliant read, but also a book spilling with facts and information. It's much more interesting to read this than a textbook but it's so well-written and a fantastic story.

[Lavinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

**2019 UPDATE**
2019 review:

Annie Sullivan was the teacher of blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller. Annie died herself wholly blind, but despite her handicaps, she had made a difference to many lives. Helen Keller died able to talk, write, and read, and all because of Annie Sullivan.

I liked this book, though it was very easy (I had a laugh over 2016's review about it being too difficult!). It was sad and happy all at once.

**2016**

A great read, only slightly hard for children under twelve, I would say. My mother read it to us, explaining any difficult phrases, sayings or words. I thought it was lovely, and usually, when I would groan at reading time, I found these particular reading times much more fun and enjoyable. I think if you wanted to read this book, take in your idea as an excellent one!

Annie Sullivan was only a little girl when she became almost fully blind. She took many operations, constantly determined that they would help her poor eyes, but none of them worked, and she remained heartless with fear. Then her mother died of a tubercular throat, and gave birth to a little boy, Jimmie, who was born with a tubercular hip. With no wife to help, and, as a drunkard, Annie and her little brother's father had no hope for raising them, and they, to add on to the trouble, had nobody to look after them or anywhere to go.

So the two children were sent off to Tewkesbury, to the poorhouse. Jimmie had a crutch by then, and frightened little Annie had such sore eyes everything just seemed to her like a blur of grey figures and blobs. They were both taken to the women's ward, where plenty of blind, grumpy old ladies sat in their beds, furious and ashamed of themselves. Only two of these meant anything to Annie, and anyhow, she didn't care much if she had no friends. Because she still had Jimmie.

The little children had nowhere to play, for nurses and important people were crowded round the corridors, and many bustling matrons were always shooing them out of all the rooms. But they couldn't shoo them if they weren't even in the room. And there was indeed one small little place off the side of their ward, where nobody dared to go but the doctors.

The dead house. It was the only place where Annie and Jimmie could play with each other without being called off or shouted at by fearsome old women. Whether this room was covered in spiders and cobwebs, and moreover, had dead people in it before they were taken away, the children were only slightly scared of it, and it was the only way where they could communicate privately, without being heard.

Jimmie, and Annie, but especially Jimmie, was getting worse. He was getting more ill every week or so. Annie had to simply sit and watch him wither; she couldn't go and tell a matron or doctor "My brother is going to die if you do not give him treatment", for they would just chuckle and walk away. She would have probably tried it before, and it would not have worked. But she didn't just stand there. She knew she had to do something.

But the disease was just too much for her. He slowly got more and more sick, and more and more scared. And the terrible thing happened when it was one of those few times when Annie slept. She awoke, put out her hand for his, and found it not there. Feeling around in the pitch black of her eyes, she could feel his body in a bed in the dead house.

Poor Annie! How she struggled, how she cried, how she screamed! She was taken away to Perkins School for the Blind, and grew up there with operations, success, fails, and misery, until she needs to earn her living. She is taken away to teach the blind-deaf-mute Helen Keller. Read this brilliant book to find out how she teaches her to communicate.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many ways, this is a very simple book and certainly its language and style don’t reach the height of classic children’s stories. But it is an absolutely inspirational tale that will touch your mind and heart. I remember finding this story of Helen Keller incredibly intriguing when I read it as a child, such that it has never completely left my mind even though I lost my childhood copy many years ago. Forty years later, I was excited to come across this book in the library, and reading it again it has touched me in ways it could not when I saw it through a child’s eyes. Definitely a book to enlarge your heart and mind.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did a report on Helen Keller, so when I saw this book at my aunt's house, I thought "since I know about Helen Keller, it would be fun to learn about her teacher, too!" I was right about that! I loved learning about the troubles and successes. Thanks for this great book, Margaret Davidson!

[Alana/MiaTheReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading this to my kids, ages 12, 10, 7, and 4, and they all liked it. This is a book from my great aunt's collection that I read as a child and for some reason now have in my own library! We are studying the late 1800s/early 1900s with my 2nd grader, so it was a good read-aloud for us this school year.

[Mary-Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased to find this out-of-print book at a thrift store. The author, who also skillfully wrote biographies of Helen Keller and Louis Braille, clearly outlined the early life of Annie Sullivan. Her parents arrived in USA from Ireland during the Irish potato famine but lived in poverty in their new land. Annie acquired the poverty-associated trachoma infection which was untreated in childhood and resulted in blindness. After her mother died from tuberculosis, her father continued to drink, and her relatives had enough of her unruliness, she and her brother Jimmie were sent to a poor house. Jimmie died there, but Annie was eventually sent as a charity student to a school for blind children. Annie also had numerous eye surgeries when at the poor house and at the blind school, and she regained some sight. When she finished her own education, she accepted the job as Helen Keller's teacher, making inspiring breakthroughs with a child who was blind, deaf, mute, and spoiled. Once Helen Keller entered the story, Annie took backstage as Helen's ongoing teacher and supporter. Interestingly, Annie became very angry later in her life when she herself became entirely blind. Also, Annie's marriage is not mentioned in the book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this aloud to my 5 year old. She loved it too; she said she liked how Annie Sullivan and Helen started out not friends and then became friends, and she also said “Even though two people died, I would still give it a five [stars].”

I had never read anything about Annie Sullivan before, other than the part where she intersects with Helen Keller’s life. I really liked getting to hear more of her history before that, even though it was rather sad.

There are a few chapters in here where the child discipline is a bit harsh (partially in reaction to Helen having absolutely no limits at all before Annie arrived), but I liked how overall the book showed that both young Annie and young Helen were acting the way they did because they were so scared, alone, and frustrated. It views them with compassion. There are a few points when Annie is dealing with a battle of wills or temper from Helen when she remembers herself at a younger age being the same way. She also sees how vital a good relationship and connection with Helen is. And she knows that her end goal is to work herself out of a job so Helen doesn’t need her by the end. This story overall was just really great, historical and fascinating and showing both the struggles and strength of the disabled characters.

[Ginger Stepp]

Many children may be familiar with the story of Helen Keller but few probably know that her teacher, Annie Sullivan, had to overcome great adversity in her life as well. This simple biography begins with Annie’s life before she became Helen’s teacher. After losing her mother and much of eyesight, Annie and her brother and sisters were abandoned and placed in a poorhouse. Though living in the poorhouse was harsh and Annie suffered great loss there as well, the reader will witness Annie’s tenacious spirit as she begs to be educated. Much like the story of Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan’s is one that exemplifies the idea that one can achieve anything by working hard and striving for what you want despite adversity and hardship of any kind.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Helen Keller's Teacher is one that introduces students to the lives of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Hellen Keller had a hard childhood struggling with her disabilities. Anne Sullivan believed in Helen Keller's abilities, and fought hard to help her overcome her disabilities. This story is a great way to discuss living with a disability and overcoming obstacles. It is also a good book for discussing the idea of never giving up, and believing in people.

[dr.eaming_away · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was probably the first non-fairytale book I've read and I'm glad I did. The story was beautiful. I liked the book so much and it made me realize in such a tender age that I wanted to read as much book as I can and maybe own a library someday! The devotion, compassion and patience of the teacher were admirable. The friendship and respect they've built were truly remarkable.This is one of the books I would want to read to my future children.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed sharing Annie Sullivan's story with my girls. Annie & Helen's stories are remarkable. Though the first part is sad as we learn about Annie's hard childhood, it is encouraging to see her rise above it & make something of her life. Then she goes on to reach out to Helen & help her climb out of her "no world". She will not except limitations that others would impose.
A story of overcoming the odds, this is well worth the read.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books focus on the life and achievements of Helen Keller. This one describes the life and achievements of the remarkable woman who brought Helen Keller out of her darkness by drawing upon her own experiences and struggles. I read this book with a group of my third graders, and even though some of it might have been above their reading level, they were really into this book and enjoyed learning about Annie Sullivan.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really am interested in the Deaf. This is about a girl who lost her hearing and site as a baby. As her teacher led her into the world of signs her mind begins to open up and she becomes a young lady giving hope to many dissabled people.
Angela

I went to the play after reading the book and it was right on with history. In one scraffle they had I got a pitcher of water dumped all over me:).

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is often dismissed because it is always in the children´s section. No one should be wrong about it. It is a beautiful new way to see ourselves from the point of view of a person with a set of great disabilities, led by a woman who was not perfect, was disabled also, and managed to work a miracle. This is a must read for all ages.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child, but it's probably been almost 20 years since I've read it again. I was reminded why it was my favorite book! Such a remarkable story. It's told simply, but powerfully. Hallie also just read it and loved it. Even though it's a children's novel, I think it will always be one of my favorites!

[Weronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite book. I didn't really like it because it is non fiction (not my favorite genre). Plus I read it when I was in third grade. It about a girl named Helen Keller who is can't hear, can't talk, and can't see. Really sad, this book tells how she learned, how she knew things although she couldn't do so many things that we can do.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book when I read it and re-read it in third grade. I found Annie's story very emotional (with both highs and lows) and interesting, and I really felt like I could empathize with her. Her work with the blind, especially with the famous Hellen Keller was inspirational, and her story deserves to be known--and this book is a telling of it that's perfectly acceptable for younger readers.

[Rhiannon20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Helen Keller's Teacher' is about the life of the teacher of Helen Keller. We probably all know Helen Keller - the little girl who was blind and deaf but could still communicate easily - but not as much her teacher.
This book is kind of sweet, but the teacher's life is really sad. I liked it because it was cool to find out where Helen had learned it all.

[Rutvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

To use a cliched term, this book was inspiring.
Its supposed to be a kids' book, and it more or less is like one, and an excellent one at that.
In short, its a difficult struggle adapted for childrens' minds, but that doesn't matter, I'm not that much of a kid anymore, and I thought it was excellent.

[Algel Crestfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Keller's Teacher is one my favorite books. This is one of those books that built the foundation of my love for books. I love this story so much. You will be captivated by the story of Annie Sullivan, her struggle for survival and how amazing she is to be able to teach a child like Helen.

This is probably one of the most inspiring and remarkable books ever written.

[Tara Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really is so interesting because, this teacher had to teach Helen Keller and Helen Keller was blind and couldn't hear and couldn't speak. The teacher didn't know what Helen Keller was thinking. Somehow she taught Helen Keller how to write and read. It's very interesting. I remember she taught Helen with water and I think she even taught her sign language.

[Simone S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased to find a book about Annie Sullivan rather than Helen Keller.

It held some interesting points in their relationship and it didn't represent Annie as a stern teacher through the whole book.

I liked it. At some points in the book it was dark, and maybe even depressing, but reading along with a character overcoming all to succeed is always nice in the end, right?


~Simone