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She Persisted

She Persisted: Helen Keller

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Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Helen Keller!

In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Courtney Sheinmel, readers learn about the amazing life of Helen Keller--and how she persisted . 
 
Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing after a childhood illness, but she didn't let that stop her from learning to read, speak, and make a difference. She was the first person who was both deaf and blind to go to and graduate from college, and she continued to write books and articles, speak in public, and stand up for the rights she believed everyone should have, inspiring others to do the same.

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Helen Keller's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
 
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Temple Grandin, Sonia Sotomayor, and more!

Praise for She Helen Keller :

"An engaging portrait of a fascinating woman." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A must purchase for all libraries." -- School Library Journal

80 pages, Hardcover

First published December 7, 2021

4 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Courtney Sheinmel

43 books259 followers
Born in California. Raised in New York. Went to law school, now write full time. Love: long walks, fresh notebooks, the smell of brownies, pomegranate seeds. Don't love: yogurt, spam (the email kind, and the food kind), deep water, deserted city streets.

Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.

I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.

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5 stars
47 (41%)
4 stars
49 (43%)
3 stars
16 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for donna backshall.
829 reviews231 followers
March 4, 2023
This is such a staggeringly important series, and I can't believe it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I even found it. Many, many thanks to Chelsea Clinton and all the women of The Persisterhood for their contributions here. I am a better sister and voice for the women of the world for having read these books, including She Persisted: Helen Keller.
Profile Image for Teri.
767 reviews95 followers
December 30, 2022
I think I am going to love this series of books. She Persisted is a series of books geared toward young girls about women who have overcome obstacles to do great things and be strong women. This particular installment focuses on Helen Keller and tells of her life as a deaf and blind woman. She struggled to communicate with her family until she was teamed up with Anne Sullivan, who helped her unlock a closed-off world.

Chelsea Clinton is the driving force behind this series of books. She wanted to give a voice to strong women that young girls could admire. Courtney Sheinmel writes this particular book, and she is the one that read this version on Audible. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
Profile Image for Ashley.
174 reviews28 followers
December 8, 2021
I love the movie Helen Keller, so I was happy to read this short but informative book about her life and accomplishments.

Thank you @prhaudio for the complimentary audiobook.
Profile Image for Junie.
43 reviews
July 17, 2025
My Review on Helen Keller
I picked up this little book thinking it looks old, mediocre, was I wasting my time, was I wrong to assume?
A resolutely yes; I was as wrong a person could be. Have you ever heard or read the phrase, never judge a book by its cover, well in my instance, “truer words were never spoken.”
This little yet wealth of knowledge book, is without a doubt full of wisdom and powerful messages for anyone starting out or reinventing themselves.
Helen Keller is a mammoth inspiration and a powerful motivation to us all. When she was a child, she overcame extremely difficult obstacles and hardship in a time where resources were very scares for people; especially people that were deaf and blind simultaneously. Yet Helen’s parents were Helen’s stronger supporters, and she conquered so many more obstacles. Graduating from high school, college and international universities was just beginning. Helen traveled around the world, became an author, wrote so many books, and spoke to audiences on disability topics and much more. Helen Keller recognised for her incredibly gifted and talent mind, body, and her tremendously hard-working spirit.
I absolutely loved this book for all it's powerful and positive messages and inspiration, it is a must for anyone; a student, teacher, CEO, doctor, or parent anyone will feel motivated and inspired to achieve.
Whenever I feel down and out, a little blue or I feel the world has defeated me, all I must do is remind myself of how incredibly blessed I was to stumble upon this powerful gem of a woman Helen Keller. Her messages, devotion, and positive diligent spirit to just keep trying is all we need, especially in our world today. Thank you, Helen Keller.
Profile Image for Lauren.
463 reviews
March 9, 2022
I have been enjoying reading the She Persisted chapter book series and this one on Helen Keller was short, but packed with interesting information. I particularly enjoyed reading about her early life and what led up to her losing her sight and hearing. It's amazing how far we have come with modern medicine and Helen Keller likely wouldn't have lost her sight and hearing if she lived in today's world. And I also didn't realize that Helen Keller likely came from money since she was able to afford to attend specialized schools that were far away from her home, which provided the accommodations she needed to succeed in life. I also liked reading about her relationship with her younger sister and how she eventually formed a bond with her. This is definitely a great addition to the She Persisted series.
Profile Image for Rubi.
2,688 reviews15 followers
November 12, 2023
Wonderful condensed story

The authors did a good job of telling Helen's entire life story in less than 90 pages!
I still felt her struggle and cheered on her accomplishments as the story went on. Love how the authors also bring it back to a lesson in persistance and perseverance.
Helen has to fight through being misunderstood, blind and deaf, and yet, with help and self determination she got furture than anyone with her condition ever did in her time and showed others that our struggles and physical limitations don't put limits on us. We can always strive to better ourselves and help others 😊
Profile Image for Michelle.
535 reviews22 followers
December 28, 2021
Another well done biography for this series, however the person I really want to know about was Anne Sullivan!!! Its amazing that Helen accomplished so much but Anne FINGER SPELLED EVERYTHING to her! The book talks about Helen not having a social life but I can only imagine how hard it was on Anne as well. The most interesting thing I learned is that Helen was part of starting the ACLU. I liked that one of the suggestions for How to Persist from this book was to read a book about Anne Sullivan.
Profile Image for Shelli.
5,173 reviews56 followers
March 10, 2022
The She Persisted mini chapter book biography series are perfect for elementary and intermediate age students interested in learning about the featured person for an assignment or just for an informative read about important women in history. This edition about Helen Keller is has information I have never read before, and I have read several children's biographies about her. A must have series for any elementary school or classroom.
Profile Image for Pam.
9,940 reviews55 followers
January 22, 2022
Sheinmel captures the drive Keller felt to learn and push herself. Readers meet Helen as a child and see her challenge herself to overcome the disadvantages she faced being blind and deaf. They also meet Annie Sullivan. Without her guidance and later friendship, Keller could not have accomplished al that she did. Options to help others are offered at the end of the book.
Profile Image for Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS.
2,379 reviews38 followers
March 11, 2022
Smart marketing and much-needed bios of women many of our students haven't heard of. OR new info that the pb bios don't include. Here may be the first readers encounter the activism of HK - co-founder of ACLU, but no mention of her speeches in Japan after the nuclear attacks (which I didn't learn about until recently and I'm OLD).
Profile Image for Div Manickam.
Author 7 books30 followers
July 6, 2023
A book of possibilities in living your hopes and dreams and aspirations 🙏

Thank you for this wonderful book on Helen Keller and her journey...


Highlights from the book 📖
More than any other time, when I hold a beloved book in my hand my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free.

Helen had dreams of learning.

She inspired millions of people to not let their challenges hold them back.
Profile Image for Ellon.
4,675 reviews
August 15, 2023
5 stars (I loved it)

Another favorite of the She Persisted series. I went into this one actually knowing quite a lot about the subject but I learned so much! The book was so inspiring. I can't imagine learning all the languages and subjects that Helen did, nevermind learning them all while dealing with the adding difficulties of being blind and deaf. Such an amazing woman!
Profile Image for Deke Moulton.
Author 4 books93 followers
February 29, 2024
The She Persisted series is great and this one was wonderful too (Though I think it’s missing a page of timelines that would be easy to see- the book never even mentions when Helen died, just that she was 88?)
I realized I had forgotten much of what I knew about Helen Keller and these short readers are great introductions.
246 reviews
March 8, 2024
Esta emíteme mujeres perdió tras una enfermedad la vista y el oído sus padres y ella lucharon por salir adelante y aprendió a leer y logró a ser la primera mujrrr en esas condiciones en ir a la universidad y dedicó su vida por la educación de los niños y escribió libros el sistema braille para ayudar a leer a los pequeños
Profile Image for Barbara Lovejoy.
2,556 reviews32 followers
April 3, 2022
I love reading about Helen Keller. What an amazing and inspiring woman.
Profile Image for Melissa.
146 reviews
May 18, 2022
My only complaint is it felt far too short.
Profile Image for Alison.
272 reviews
November 11, 2022
A quick and inspiring story of Helen and her teacher, Anne, who both deserve the utmost credit for having persisted!
Profile Image for Linda.
474 reviews12 followers
March 7, 2023
What a brave, courageous girl and women. What she accomplished is remarkable. Through all of her difficulties she never quit nor slowed her pace. Children will enjoy reading about her life.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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