Helen Keller

by Libby Romero

In this kids' biography, discover the inspiring story of Helen Keller, who overcame the odds by learning to understand and communicate with the world.

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing due to an early childhood illness and spent the first 6 years of her life unable to interact with other people. She remained isolated from the outside world until Anne Sullivan came to work as her teacher. In this biography book for kids ages 8-11, learn all about Helen Keller's amazing life and achievements--how she learned to read Braille and speak, go to college, write books, and ultimately revolutionize the world through her activism on behalf of the deaf and blind.

This new biography series from DK goes beyond the basic facts to tell the true life stories of history's most interesting people. Full-color photographs and hand-drawn illustrations complement thoughtfully written, age-appropriate text to create an engaging book children will enjoy reading. Definition boxes, information sidebars, maps, inspiring quotes, and other nonfiction text features add depth, and a handy reference section at the back makes this the one biography series every teacher and librarian will want to collect. Each book also includes an author's introduction letter, a glossary, and an index.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

About the author

Libby Romero worked as a teacher and a journalist before dedicating herself to becoming an author.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This DK Life Stories series is for middle grade, and brings inspiring story of Helen Keller who was the first blind and deaf person to graduate from college.

Helen was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was eighteen months when she got sick and lost her sight and hearing. She made up her own signs to communicate but besides that it was very frustrating for her to communicate. She was miserable and throwing tantrums every day.

The parents hired a private teacher, Anne Sullivan, who graduated as the best student at Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. It was challenging to teach words to someone who was blind and deaf, but one day Anne took Helen to water pump. As Helen held mug in one hand under the pump, the cold water rushed down. At the same time, Anne spelled water in Helen’s other hand. That day, Helen learned 30 new words.

Anne taught Helen how to use braille, a code with raised letters. So she could read with her fingers. Her education progressed to studying different subjects and languages. She also practiced speech which was very challenging for her.

Further, she continued her education at different schools. It was her dream to attend Radcliffe, and she did, where she also was encouraged to write an autobiography. After graduating, and the book becoming an international bestseller, she decided to become a professional author.

But her following books didn’t do as well. When she was tight on money, she decided to travel the country and give lectures, which became a huge success.

Then, came a movie offer about her life. Then, a new opportunity to become fundraiser for the blind organization. She won many awards. She died at the age of eighty-seven.

This biography demonstrates a woman who defied the odds; her adversity strengthened her determination to go to college. As a result she is remembered as an inspirational symbol of strength.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

The illustrations are very peculiar with distorted bodies. The book carries also real photographs, which I prefer over illustrations.

[Mikaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 3rd-6th

I enjoyed reading through this book as many people have heard of Helen Keller, but don't know too much about her actual life. I loved how actual photographs were included in this biography, especially because you could see fingerspelling being done in multiple of them. I also liked how there were vocab excerpts for words younger readers might not know! I thought it was a great book, I learned quite a bit. Fun fact, I didn't know Harvard merged with Radcliffe College!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I was little, I was fascinated with the story of Helen Keller. That was the main reason that I wanted to learn sign language and be a teacher for deaf children.
Helen accomplished so much despite the fact that she was both deaf and blind. She graduated with a bachelor's degree and with honors, wrote numerous books, made numerous speeches, and even was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Lyndon B. Johnson!
It goes to show that anybody can do whatever they decide to accomplish, regardless of whether they can see and hear or not! 😁

[Virve Fredman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tämä oli todella hyvä lyhyt Helen Kellerin elämäkerta. Kirja on tarkoitettu 8–11-vuotiaille lapsille, mutta se on kirjoitettu niin, että sisältö on mielenkiintoista luettavaa aikuisellekin, joka haluaa saada kuvan Helen Kellerin elämästä.

Kirjassa Helenin elämäntarina oli esitetty selkeästi pääpiirteittäin, mutta mukana oli myös sopivasti kiinnostavia yksityiskohtia ja kuvia.

Luin samaan aikaan Helen Kellerin omaelämäkertaa The Story of My Life, joka kertoo Helenin ensimmäisistä 23 vuodesta. Tämä kirja kertoo myös, mitä sen jälkeen tapahtui, joten kirja kiinnosti siksi todella paljon.

Suosittelen tätä kaikille, jotka haluavat saada yleiskuvan Helen Kellerin elämästä.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hellen Keller's influence has truly improved the lives of blind and deaf people. She gave them hope and opportunities that were once denied to them. I also want to commend Anne Sullivan, Helen's teacher and lifelong companion, who supported and molded her to become this inspiring person who wanted to help the lives of other people for the better.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for the under ten crowd especially. As an adult familiar with Helen’s life, I still learned a lot. Helen Keller was a remarkable person as was her brilliant teacher, Anne. I appreciated the photos included throughout. The fun fact/did you know on the sides are great! Highly recommend.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great resource for late elementary through middle school readers. My eight-year-old kids liked learning about Helen’s life. They are still learning that a biography can be difficult to read when with sickness, war, and death are a part one’s life.

[aubree Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good I learned alot