Helen Keller: From Tragedy to Triumph

by Katharine Elliot Wilkie, Robert Doremus (Illustrator)

A biography, focusing on the childhood years, of the blind and deaf woman who overcame her handicaps with the help of her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Historical, Chapter Books, Biography Memoir

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Alex Dziedzic]

Helen Keller started as a dumb, blind and deaf little girl because of a sickness that attacked her when she was months old. She would have ended up not seeing the world and appreciated it. But, with the help of her mom, dad, teacher, and friends, she became a person who learned how to communicate using touch. She finally saw what the world was like with everyone around her and soon she as an adult started to help other people that have the same horrible disease she still has but overcame. This was a very interesting book that showed the life about a poor girl and how she had the bravery to resist it. I would recommend this book to people who want a nice background about Helen Keller and how her life was at the time.

[Nevada Libert · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS AMAZING BOOK!I love how helen never gave up and how she always has hope, and how she encorage people, i love how she said even if they are blind & deaf they can learn and be like any body. such amazing book.

[Konochia E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in elementary school when I read this. I loved it and learned so much about Helen Keller. I wpuld recommend learning about her story and thinking about their being no limits no matter what life circumstances may develop or you are born with.

[Danielle Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really very nice—when she was little, I meant. I wish there were more books about her, the part when she was little was so interesting. Fortunately about half of it was about that. Or at least a third.

[Christi Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about Helen Keller and her life growing up. A great read for people wanting to learn more about her history and how she excelled to be the person she was for our country.

[Meredith Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

(with Ben)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR 4.5

[Noelle Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's blind.
But in the end, she's working so hard people couldn't tell if she was blind or not.
It's a good book!
I LOVE it!

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these Childhood of Famous Americans books! I read these as a kid and loved learning about so many different people.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mama made me read this cool book. It’s good anyway, and it’s the same way with movies.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

July 2021 Turtle: great! Read again before returning to library.

August 2021 Turtle: great! Return to library.

[Angela]

Biography

[Mary Ledom]

This book about Helen Keller is perfect for classrooms! This is part of a collection of books and when I looked at the names of other famous Americans that she has written about, I picked to read Helen Keller. She is such a powerful woman to read about and I loved flipping the pages and learning so much more about her that I have in the past.
This is a book about Helen's struggles and how she managed to change them from a struggle into a strength. Students of third and fourth grade will love this book because of how incredibly unique Helen Keller is. I would read this as a read aloud because it will be easy for students to comment and share what they have learned about Helen Keller and what they previously knew. I would ask for students at the beginning of the read to tell me what they already knew about Helen Keller. Then I would read the book and at the end of the book I would have each student write down five new things they learned about her. This is a great activity because it will keep students paying attention.
In this book, Katharine Wilkie exemplifies tone in a not so serious way. But still having a learning environment but more so fun than serious. Students will appreciate this tone the most because it will keep them looking at each page and keep them excited for the next. I am grateful that I saw and read this book because I learned so many new things about Helen that my students will learn and love as well. I would definitely read this in my class because the vocabulary is great and it is easy to follow at the same time.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan -- both amazing, strong, tenacious women. I wanted to share Helen Keller's story with my six-year-old son, Andy, and help him see how incredible it was for her to change from a wild girl who couldn't understand anything to a brilliant, articulate, inspiring woman. This was a good book to use. It's written well for kids with good active language. Andy is still talking about Helen Keller days after finishing the book. His little sister has autism and has been taught to process language in ways that are similar to the ways Helen was taught -- not so much in method (Helen used sign language; our daughter used pictures and eventually words), but in needing to apprehend that things have names and that it is possible to communicate with each other. Andy understood the parallel. My hope is that he is learning to value people with disabilities and see their amazing potential for contributions to the world, whether large or small. What better figure to help him begin to understand this than Helen Keller.

[Sarah]

This book tells the incredible story of Helen Keller, a woman that was unwilling to take "no" for an answer. It follows Helen through her early years and struggles as a child, to a hungry and ambitious young woman, to an accomplished older woman. Helen was born blind and deaf and faced many struggles in a society that thought she was simply dumb, and was unable to be taught. However, because of the resilience of her teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen was able to eventually go to college. Annie remained Helen's teacher into her old age. This is an amazing story of dedication to learning and unwillingness to give up.

[Shaelyn Gerads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I never really knew that much about Helen Keller. The only thing I knew was that she was blind and couldn't hear. My favorite part was when Anne Sullivan ( her instructor) finally after two agonizing weeks she got Helen to spell 'water' into Miss Sullivan's hand. I couldn't believe that Helen Keller met so many famous people, such as Mark Twain. Helen Keller inspired so many blind people to not give up just because they have a disability, she told them that they can do anything they can dream of if they try.

[Kelly José · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another Helen Keller book I read a long time ago when I was in about fifth grade. While the actual book written by Helen Keller herself is much better, this book is more appropriate for younger children who might be interested in finding out more about the inspirational figure. Young children should definitely read this book if they're interested in Helen Keller!

[Jessica713 Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it was great literature though it had some witty details to it. It was interesting what was going on the page but what was also going on in the writers head. This book was an autobiography. In the prologue it was fun to see what the writer thought in the beginning which was Hellen Keller was a snooty ,snobby little blind, deaf brat.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 stars. It WAS a good book, and I loved the story. It was just really quick and like a 2nd grade level. :( However, the actual plot/story itself was REALLY good. I learned a ton about Helen Keller and the people, places, and things in her life that made a big impression on her. Anyway, TOTALLY read it if you are around 2nd or 3rd grade level. :)

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story i read. You learn a lot about Helen Keller and also Anne sullivan her teacher. It is amazing what Helen learned in the time of her life with the help of as she called Anne sullivan her " Teacher".

[Tara Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I mean it's so interesting how Helen Keller learned how to read and write and speak. I mean during this time it was very rare to have someone who was deaf and blind. I think her teacher helped the blind and deaf community from then on.

[Dahlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew a few things about Helen Keller, but this book had more details than I knew about. What an amazing person she was. We can all learn a thing or two from her. This was an enjoyable read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOOD BIO

[angelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every child should read this or some book about this amazing woman...

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a reminder of how blessed I am for my ability to see. She was blind and deaf and she still achieved greater things. Great book!!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved it

[Madeline Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Childhood of Famous Americans Series is a great way to familiarize 9-12 year olds with the country's history. The are written like stories, not textbooks, and are fun to read.

[Monica Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative

[Ransreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspirative !!!

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

really inspiring!