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Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she'd taken on a seemingly impossible job -- teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But Helen Keller needed more than a teacher. She needed someone daring enough to work a miracle. And if anyone was a match for Helen, it was the girl they used to call Miss Spitfire.
For Annie, reaching Helen's mind meant losing teeth as raging fists flew. It meant standing up when everyone else had given up. It meant shedding tears at the frustrations and at the triumphs. By telling this inspiring story from Annie Sullivan's point of view, Sarah Miller's debut novel brings an amazing figure to sharp new life. Annie's past, her brazen determination, and her connection to the girl who would call her Teacher have never been clearer.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2007
88 people are currently reading
3303 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Miller
10 books864 followersSarah Miller began writing her first novel at the age of ten, and has spent the last two decades working in libraries and bookstores. She is the author of two previous historical novels, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, and The Lost Crown. Her nonfiction debut, The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century, was hailed by the New York Times as "a historical version of Law & Order." She lives in Michigan.
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November 30, 2019
Well Helen Keller's inspiring life story has always fascinated me and which is also why I have seen most of the movie adaptations of William Gibson's famous play The Miracle Worker more than once. And indeed, Sarah Miller's Miss Spitfire basically tells the same story as portrayed in the former, as in William Gibson’s play (how Annie Sullivan is able to open Helen Keller's sightless and soundless world to language, to communication and personal interaction), but it is a biographical novel told from Annie Sullivan's perspective, and in her voice.
And for a mostly non-fiction, biographical account, Miss Spitfire is really rather majorly remarkable insofar that the presented narrative reads and flows very much like a novel. Sarah Miller's writing style is outstanding, amazing, superbly capturing (what I would consider) Annie Sullivan's voice, her ideas, her feelings and emotions (which is to say that the first-person narrative feels like it is Annie relating her story and not the author writing as "Annie"). However, Sarah Miller has not only managed to capture her narrator's voice, Annie Sullivan's voice. She has also managed to deliver an authentic, realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of seven year old Helen Keller, of her frustration, anger and isolation (and how her parents' overly tolerant, indulgent but ultimately neglectful and damaging behaviour towards their stricken daughter actually made this frustration much worse, how her parents' actions and indeed often the lack thereof turned an intelligent little girl, frustrated at not being able to communicate, at being isolated by her blindness and deafness, into a wild, seemingly crazed monster of a child).
Now truth be told, Annie Sullivan is able to reach through to Helen Keller because she is equally stubbornly strong-willed and thus with every fibre of herself determined to fight for her pupil (even against Helen's family, even when Helen physically and violently lashes out at her). For in many ways, Annie understands the girl's anger and frustration, as they mirror her own personality, her own background and history, since Miss Spitfire was Annie's nickname at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she, a poor half-blind Irish-American orphan was educated. But Miss Spitfire would also have been a good nickname for Helen, at least until Annie is able to break through the barriers of frustration, isolation, and inadequate discipline to "reach" Helen, to teach her the magic of words, of language.
And indeed, I most highly recommend Miss Spitfire for older children, young adults, and really for anyone who enjoys engaging, novelistic biographies (and of course, for anyone interested in the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan). For Sarah Miller truly has a way with words; Annie and Helen are not just stock characters in an informative non-fiction account of Helen Keller's "awakening" they are living, breathing, emotionally nuanced characters, starring in an inspiring story from despair to hope, frustration to joy, isolation to communication.
And for a mostly non-fiction, biographical account, Miss Spitfire is really rather majorly remarkable insofar that the presented narrative reads and flows very much like a novel. Sarah Miller's writing style is outstanding, amazing, superbly capturing (what I would consider) Annie Sullivan's voice, her ideas, her feelings and emotions (which is to say that the first-person narrative feels like it is Annie relating her story and not the author writing as "Annie"). However, Sarah Miller has not only managed to capture her narrator's voice, Annie Sullivan's voice. She has also managed to deliver an authentic, realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of seven year old Helen Keller, of her frustration, anger and isolation (and how her parents' overly tolerant, indulgent but ultimately neglectful and damaging behaviour towards their stricken daughter actually made this frustration much worse, how her parents' actions and indeed often the lack thereof turned an intelligent little girl, frustrated at not being able to communicate, at being isolated by her blindness and deafness, into a wild, seemingly crazed monster of a child).
Now truth be told, Annie Sullivan is able to reach through to Helen Keller because she is equally stubbornly strong-willed and thus with every fibre of herself determined to fight for her pupil (even against Helen's family, even when Helen physically and violently lashes out at her). For in many ways, Annie understands the girl's anger and frustration, as they mirror her own personality, her own background and history, since Miss Spitfire was Annie's nickname at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she, a poor half-blind Irish-American orphan was educated. But Miss Spitfire would also have been a good nickname for Helen, at least until Annie is able to break through the barriers of frustration, isolation, and inadequate discipline to "reach" Helen, to teach her the magic of words, of language.
And indeed, I most highly recommend Miss Spitfire for older children, young adults, and really for anyone who enjoys engaging, novelistic biographies (and of course, for anyone interested in the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan). For Sarah Miller truly has a way with words; Annie and Helen are not just stock characters in an informative non-fiction account of Helen Keller's "awakening" they are living, breathing, emotionally nuanced characters, starring in an inspiring story from despair to hope, frustration to joy, isolation to communication.
July 8, 2011
This book almost got a place on my favorites shelf.
A huge thank you to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for rescuing this book from the morass of my bloated to-read shelf and inspiring me to read it with her review and her various comments about it.
It hooked me in right from the start.
I have always been fascinated by the lives of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Here, I really loved Annie’s first person voice in this novel, as a twenty year old sent to teach six-year-old Helen Keller, at times reminiscing about her past. This historical fiction story did a fabulous job of conveying the needs and desires of the young Annie Sullivan. I loved seeing things from her point of view. I felt so deeply for Annie, as well as for Helen.
The book is fiction but there are many non-fiction extras. There are fabulous non-fiction extras. There are wonderful photos of Helen, Annie, Helen’s house of birth, etc. including the famous water pump. There are acknowledgements and a more information section with books, online, video. And there’s a very useful chronology timeline going from Annie’s birth to Helen’s death.
So, this is a novel, and a kids’ novel, though one of those that can be equally enjoyed by all ages, I’d say nine and up. It’s historical fiction but based on two very well known women. The events in the book pretty much cover the same timeframe that was covered in The Miracle Worker movies. The “famous moment” is shown as being somewhat different from the version in the movies, but the gist is the same.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are quotes taken from letters Annie wrote back to Perkin’s School for the Blind when she was first trying to teach Helen. Before Annie’s accomplishment there was only one other deaf-blind student who had learned language so successfully and Annie did make use of the techniques used with the other student, but she also used other various techniques to reach Helen, as well as her wit, her intuition, and she also made good use of her strength of character. I had read Helen Keller’s biography, and seen both Miracle Worker movies, but I learned quite a bit from reading this, though I do wonder how much was fictional and how much was fact.
I got a different take than I've ever read/been exposed to before now. Annie’s is a powerful voice and in this account she’s just as interesting as is Helen.
As I do with the movies, I cried myself silly as I read, especially as I anticipated that life changing moment. The miracle of Helen & Annie (despite their many lifelong difficulties) is inspiring, and I appreciate that here’s another version of the story, and a very readable one it is!
A huge thank you to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for rescuing this book from the morass of my bloated to-read shelf and inspiring me to read it with her review and her various comments about it.
It hooked me in right from the start.
I have always been fascinated by the lives of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Here, I really loved Annie’s first person voice in this novel, as a twenty year old sent to teach six-year-old Helen Keller, at times reminiscing about her past. This historical fiction story did a fabulous job of conveying the needs and desires of the young Annie Sullivan. I loved seeing things from her point of view. I felt so deeply for Annie, as well as for Helen.
The book is fiction but there are many non-fiction extras. There are fabulous non-fiction extras. There are wonderful photos of Helen, Annie, Helen’s house of birth, etc. including the famous water pump. There are acknowledgements and a more information section with books, online, video. And there’s a very useful chronology timeline going from Annie’s birth to Helen’s death.
So, this is a novel, and a kids’ novel, though one of those that can be equally enjoyed by all ages, I’d say nine and up. It’s historical fiction but based on two very well known women. The events in the book pretty much cover the same timeframe that was covered in The Miracle Worker movies. The “famous moment” is shown as being somewhat different from the version in the movies, but the gist is the same.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are quotes taken from letters Annie wrote back to Perkin’s School for the Blind when she was first trying to teach Helen. Before Annie’s accomplishment there was only one other deaf-blind student who had learned language so successfully and Annie did make use of the techniques used with the other student, but she also used other various techniques to reach Helen, as well as her wit, her intuition, and she also made good use of her strength of character. I had read Helen Keller’s biography, and seen both Miracle Worker movies, but I learned quite a bit from reading this, though I do wonder how much was fictional and how much was fact.
I got a different take than I've ever read/been exposed to before now. Annie’s is a powerful voice and in this account she’s just as interesting as is Helen.
As I do with the movies, I cried myself silly as I read, especially as I anticipated that life changing moment. The miracle of Helen & Annie (despite their many lifelong difficulties) is inspiring, and I appreciate that here’s another version of the story, and a very readable one it is!
February 23, 2020
Sarah Miller's 2007 novel tackles the first-person perspective of Annie Sullivan and her famous student, Helen Keller. Written and geared towards young readers, the story depicts the early days of Sullivan's arrival in Alabama and also her early life before becoming a teacher. Although I was familiar with the story from other books and films, I felt that this was a great depiction of the challenges that both Annie Sullivan and Helen faced. I appreciated the author's notes and acknowledgments and her recommended reading list.
Goodreads review published 23/02/20
Goodreads review published 23/02/20
August 31, 2007
Authors that try to tackle any aspect of Helen Keller's life in a children's literary format are simultaneously blessed and cursed. On the one hand, talk about God's gift to authors. The emotional ups and downs of Helen's tale, the (dare I say) hope of her life, I mean she's a great historical character. Loads more interesting to a nine-year-old than your average everyday biographical figures. So there's that. On the other hand, none of this is a secret. As a result, my library's Helen Keller section of biographies is rivaled only by Martin Luther King Jr. So when I saw that someone had done a middle grade work of fiction regarding Helen and Annie Sullivan's early days, I hardly gave it a thought. Why read what we already know? I mean, if everyone knows a series of facts about someone, can there be any worthwhile reason to read yet ANOTHER story about her life and trials? The answer, as it happens, is yes. Debut author Sarah Miller shows us that even the most familiar story can become edge-of-your-seat gripping when the writing's cool and collected.
There's a reason this book is called "Miss Spitfire". Turns out, that was the nickname bestowed on Annie Sullivan when she attended the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Irish, alone in the world, half-blind, and with guts galore, Ms. Sullivan is terrified at the prospect of her very first job. She's being sent to work with one Helen Keller, a blind, deaf child. The hope is to work a "miracle" on her and teach her to bridge the gap between signing and the use of words. The task turns out to be more than she gambled for, however, when it appears that Helen has had the run of her household for years. Uncivilized, uncouth, and unrepentant, her wishy-washy parents have failed to discipline, thereby allowing Helen to always get what she wants. If Annie didn't see Helen coming, though, you can be darn certain that Helen didn't see Annie either. Now the battle between the two firebrands has begun and it's time to see whether or not the stubbornness of a child who has always had her way can compete with the stubbornness of a woman as tough and smart as Annie Sullivan.
The reason the Helen Keller story works is because Helen is hell on earth. She's not the angelic creature just waiting for a helping hand. No dewy-eyed, saintly personality-challenged naïf she. She's not Little Eva or Little Nell. No she was, to use my grandmother's phrase, a pistol. So for a book like this to work you need to really feel for Annie Sullivan. When Helen cracks her in the jaw with a hardheaded doll, you have to want to strangle the child with your own bare hands and not just Annie's. As an author, Miller's smart enough to know how to tease out the dramatic elements of this tale. Seeing Ms. Sullivan's background, you are all the more impressed at her restraint around Helen. Considering that the girl has enough crafty qualities to try the patience of a saint, and considering that Ms. Sullivan's own father was abusive, you would think such tendency towards violence might easily pass down from father to daughter. Instead, the opposite is true. She does not hit because she knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of a blow. I was very taken with the moral in this story that rules and order breed love. It is Annie's restraint and discipline that in the end manages to tease out that love.
For me, the book is summarized nicely in the real life quote taken from Anne Sullivan's letters to a Ms. Sophia Hopkins, appearing at the beginning of Chapter Six. "The greatest problem I shall have to solve is how to discipline and control her without breaking her spirit." In the solution we find the heart of the novel. I've read very little historical fiction this year that stayed with me. I like to think that Ms. Miller's book is one of the few worth keeping close at hand. A really enjoyable story.
There's a reason this book is called "Miss Spitfire". Turns out, that was the nickname bestowed on Annie Sullivan when she attended the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Irish, alone in the world, half-blind, and with guts galore, Ms. Sullivan is terrified at the prospect of her very first job. She's being sent to work with one Helen Keller, a blind, deaf child. The hope is to work a "miracle" on her and teach her to bridge the gap between signing and the use of words. The task turns out to be more than she gambled for, however, when it appears that Helen has had the run of her household for years. Uncivilized, uncouth, and unrepentant, her wishy-washy parents have failed to discipline, thereby allowing Helen to always get what she wants. If Annie didn't see Helen coming, though, you can be darn certain that Helen didn't see Annie either. Now the battle between the two firebrands has begun and it's time to see whether or not the stubbornness of a child who has always had her way can compete with the stubbornness of a woman as tough and smart as Annie Sullivan.
The reason the Helen Keller story works is because Helen is hell on earth. She's not the angelic creature just waiting for a helping hand. No dewy-eyed, saintly personality-challenged naïf she. She's not Little Eva or Little Nell. No she was, to use my grandmother's phrase, a pistol. So for a book like this to work you need to really feel for Annie Sullivan. When Helen cracks her in the jaw with a hardheaded doll, you have to want to strangle the child with your own bare hands and not just Annie's. As an author, Miller's smart enough to know how to tease out the dramatic elements of this tale. Seeing Ms. Sullivan's background, you are all the more impressed at her restraint around Helen. Considering that the girl has enough crafty qualities to try the patience of a saint, and considering that Ms. Sullivan's own father was abusive, you would think such tendency towards violence might easily pass down from father to daughter. Instead, the opposite is true. She does not hit because she knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of a blow. I was very taken with the moral in this story that rules and order breed love. It is Annie's restraint and discipline that in the end manages to tease out that love.
For me, the book is summarized nicely in the real life quote taken from Anne Sullivan's letters to a Ms. Sophia Hopkins, appearing at the beginning of Chapter Six. "The greatest problem I shall have to solve is how to discipline and control her without breaking her spirit." In the solution we find the heart of the novel. I've read very little historical fiction this year that stayed with me. I like to think that Ms. Miller's book is one of the few worth keeping close at hand. A really enjoyable story.
August 31, 2016
A great insight to how Annie struggled with teaching Helen and how her own childhood played into that. I did feel that the dialogue was at times too "modern" for that period of time. Although this is essentially a juvenile fiction book I didn't feel it was geared to just young people. 3.5 stars.
October 9, 2016
By rights I should've finished this in a day but, you know, real life. Fantastic book. Excuse me while I go pull The Story of My Life off the shelf, and track down the Helen Keller chapter book I wore out as a kid. This remains one of my favorite stories.
March 12, 2011
Miller, Sarah. 2007. Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller.
I don't quite remember when I first saw the movie The Miracle Worker, but I do remember it making a great impact on me. I remember being fascinated with finger spelling, particularly the famous w-a-t-e-r and d-o-l-l. I do know that at some point afterwards, I learned the alphabet. It's something I still know to this day, though I don't place too much confidence on my being able to remember "x" or "z" or "q" on demand. But there is something about this story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan that has always fascinated me. So when I first read about Miss Spitfire, I was excited. Very excited. I wanted to track down a copy of this book quickly. Very quickly.
But enough about my pre-reading activity. What did I think of Miss Spitfire? I loved it. Absolutely loved it. True, I was already interested in the story. Already compelled to love it based on my prior history, but Sarah Miller's writing was remarkable. I not only fell in love with the story. I fell in love with how she told the story.
"I'm not sure I can do this job. Yet a part of me understands Helen better than she does herself. I'm no stranger to frustration, anger, isolation. I wonder, though, how Helen can be content to deprive herself of my affection? The thought of her indifference makes my throat sting, yet I can't help feeling drawn to her. If I could only touch her heart, I know I could reach her mind. But she won't even let me hold her hand." (43)
"It seems nothing I do comes out right. But in my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three." (64)
Annie Sullivan is a young woman on a mission. Her job? To teach a child--a six year old child--who is blind, deaf, and dumb. It won't be easy. There has only been one successful case in the past to base their hopes and dreams on: Laura Bridgman. But Annie is strong-minded and determined. She'll need every ounce of stubborness she has if she's going to master the willfullness of Helen. Used to getting her own way, Helen runs wild. And as Annie soon points out, the family expects better behavior from the dogs than they do their young daughter. Helen has never been disciplined a day in her life--at least since an illness left her blind and deaf. This journey from despair to hope, from chaos to communication, is an important one. It is full of emotion--as day by day Annie struggles to teach and love a child who fails to comprehend the meaning of words altogether. Anger. Frustration. Rage. Joy. Happiness. Fear. Hope. Despair. It's all here. Annie and Helen. This is their story.
And for the record, I loved, loved, loved the ending. It was oh-so-magical.
I don't quite remember when I first saw the movie The Miracle Worker, but I do remember it making a great impact on me. I remember being fascinated with finger spelling, particularly the famous w-a-t-e-r and d-o-l-l. I do know that at some point afterwards, I learned the alphabet. It's something I still know to this day, though I don't place too much confidence on my being able to remember "x" or "z" or "q" on demand. But there is something about this story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan that has always fascinated me. So when I first read about Miss Spitfire, I was excited. Very excited. I wanted to track down a copy of this book quickly. Very quickly.
But enough about my pre-reading activity. What did I think of Miss Spitfire? I loved it. Absolutely loved it. True, I was already interested in the story. Already compelled to love it based on my prior history, but Sarah Miller's writing was remarkable. I not only fell in love with the story. I fell in love with how she told the story.
"I'm not sure I can do this job. Yet a part of me understands Helen better than she does herself. I'm no stranger to frustration, anger, isolation. I wonder, though, how Helen can be content to deprive herself of my affection? The thought of her indifference makes my throat sting, yet I can't help feeling drawn to her. If I could only touch her heart, I know I could reach her mind. But she won't even let me hold her hand." (43)
"It seems nothing I do comes out right. But in my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three." (64)
Annie Sullivan is a young woman on a mission. Her job? To teach a child--a six year old child--who is blind, deaf, and dumb. It won't be easy. There has only been one successful case in the past to base their hopes and dreams on: Laura Bridgman. But Annie is strong-minded and determined. She'll need every ounce of stubborness she has if she's going to master the willfullness of Helen. Used to getting her own way, Helen runs wild. And as Annie soon points out, the family expects better behavior from the dogs than they do their young daughter. Helen has never been disciplined a day in her life--at least since an illness left her blind and deaf. This journey from despair to hope, from chaos to communication, is an important one. It is full of emotion--as day by day Annie struggles to teach and love a child who fails to comprehend the meaning of words altogether. Anger. Frustration. Rage. Joy. Happiness. Fear. Hope. Despair. It's all here. Annie and Helen. This is their story.
And for the record, I loved, loved, loved the ending. It was oh-so-magical.
July 21, 2019
This was a fascinating look at the story of Hellen Keller from the first-person perspective of her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Annie had a difficult life growing up, and had earned the nickname “Miss Spitfire” because she was so ornery and fought back so often. She was as strong-willed as they come, and it took her personality to match that of Helen’s. As a child, Helen was ornery and destructive, wild and with few to no manners. In order to teach her, Annie first had to tame her. Although it isn’t a book about parenting, I found myself making connections between Annie’s experiences with Helen and parenting/discipline in general, as apropos for modern readers as it was in 1887. Helen’s parents were spoiling her in the mistaken notion that they were showing her love by not disciplining her. They feel sorry for her because she cannot see or hear, and therefore permit her to do things such as wandering around the table grabbing food from everyone’s plate but her own. She is apt to fly into rages if she doesn’t get her way, which usually works to her advantage as they placate her to end the tantrum. When Annie comes on the scene, all that changes. She recognizes that Helen shouldn’t be held to lower standards because of her disabilities, nor her behavior tolerated. “If Helen were a seeing child, you’d expect me to turn her over my knee for the trouble she’s caused!” she thinks at one point. “But in my heart I know what’s right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I’ll find a way to give her all three,” she says at the end of one chapter. That’s a lesson many parents (myself included!) need to remember. When Annie gets into a clash with Helen’s parents about discipline, Annie challenges them to ask when is an appropriate age to expect more of her? Will she magically grow out of her tantrums at 12? 18? What will happen when she’s strong enough that her parents can’t contain her anymore? In other words, discipline and obedience are imperative to be taught at a young age rather than excusing away poor behavior with “oh, that’s just how kids are.” I was inspired by Annie’s astute observation of what Helen really needed, and amazed that she was bold enough to stand up to Helen’s parents (older than Annie by at least a decade) in order to do what was best for Helen. Helen Keller would not have become the woman she was without the love and persistance of “Teacher,” Annie Sullivan. Even though I knew what Helen’s breakthrough moment would be, I still cried reading it because of how sweetly it was told and what it took to get to that moment. This is a book I’d highly recommend for young readers and adults alike.
February 12, 2018
Most of us know about the moment at the water pump when Helen truly understood what water was. What many of us do not know is that Annie spent more than a month fingerspelling with Helen and disciplining her so that she would complete the simplest of tasks.
In this heart-filled book you will see the time Annie spent with Helen from her own perspective. Sarah Miller delved into many resources (all listed in the back of the book) to put together this remarkable story and show us why Annie was uniquely qualified to understand Helen more than any other person in her life. Included are excerpts from Annie's life before she was recruited to teach Helen as well as a timeline and photos.
I was impressed by the fact that Sarah Miller changed her major to linguistics and taught herself Braille after seeing "The Miracle Worker" on stage and reading more about Helen Keller.
In this heart-filled book you will see the time Annie spent with Helen from her own perspective. Sarah Miller delved into many resources (all listed in the back of the book) to put together this remarkable story and show us why Annie was uniquely qualified to understand Helen more than any other person in her life. Included are excerpts from Annie's life before she was recruited to teach Helen as well as a timeline and photos.
I was impressed by the fact that Sarah Miller changed her major to linguistics and taught herself Braille after seeing "The Miracle Worker" on stage and reading more about Helen Keller.
August 22, 2007
This book is the story of Helen Keller's teacher, Annie Sullivan, as she struggles to teach a girl who can neither hear, see, nor speak. She displays incredible strength and determination as she sacrifices herself completely for Helen. Almost everyone knows this story, but hearing it from the teacher's point of view is a really unique insight. This delightful debut novel will keep you rooting for teacher and student right up until its triumphant ending.
"In my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three."
"In my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three."
December 30, 2017
Again I am blown away by this author, Sarah Miller. Having previously read her book, Caroline (about Ma Ingalls -- Laura's mother), I was interested to check out Miller's further works. Miss Spitfire did not disappoint. Not only was the subject matter carefully covered in a historically accurate manner, but Miller's masterfull way with words makes her text a pleasure to read. Rarely have I enjoyed reading books published in the last few decades. I'm typically drawn to classics, but Miller's writing harkens back to an era when even a simple biographical story was written with skill and mastery of language.
April 11, 2010
I some how managed to grow up with out learning much about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. I mean, I know who they are and the very basic info about them but that is about all. Reading this was interesting and once again a fiction book has me searching for some non-fiction.
August 23, 2007
Teachers strive to inspire their students to do their best, to expand their horizons, and to challenge themselves. Annie Sullivan's life was one challenge after another, and her first teaching charge was no exception. Helen Keller was blind, deaf, and completely wild when Annie first came into her life. Little did either of them know then that they would have a breakthrough within weeks of Annie's arrival, and that they would remain friends for the rest of Annie's life.
MISS SPITFIRE: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller covers approximately the first month of Annie's work with Helen. Each chapter notes the date and contains a line or two from an actual letter written by Annie at that time. Annie narrates the story in first person as she comes to know Helen and her family. She speaks up when Helen's parents treat their daughter too gently, all the while wishing her own parents had been there for her. Meeting Helen's older brothers brings up both fond and sad memories of her beloved brother Jimmy. Annie begins teaching Helen to spell by tracing letters in her palm and insisting that Helen spell out what she does and what she wants.
Sarah Miller's debut shows a great deal of compassion. You can tell that the author has done her research, and that she wanted to stay true to the real events in Annie's life. The relationship between Annie and Helen was rocky at the start, and though Miller handles it with care, she never idealizes it nor sensationalizes it. She isn't afraid to show Annie physically struggling with her wild student, who bruised her teacher with her tiny yet powerful fists.
The novel is fueled by truth, determination, and introspection. This is not only about teaching Helen how to spell "doll" or "water," but about reaching her. Annie wanted Helen to really know what she was spelling - to honestly communicate - to fully understand.
Recommended for ages 8 and up - for all ages, really.
MISS SPITFIRE: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller covers approximately the first month of Annie's work with Helen. Each chapter notes the date and contains a line or two from an actual letter written by Annie at that time. Annie narrates the story in first person as she comes to know Helen and her family. She speaks up when Helen's parents treat their daughter too gently, all the while wishing her own parents had been there for her. Meeting Helen's older brothers brings up both fond and sad memories of her beloved brother Jimmy. Annie begins teaching Helen to spell by tracing letters in her palm and insisting that Helen spell out what she does and what she wants.
Sarah Miller's debut shows a great deal of compassion. You can tell that the author has done her research, and that she wanted to stay true to the real events in Annie's life. The relationship between Annie and Helen was rocky at the start, and though Miller handles it with care, she never idealizes it nor sensationalizes it. She isn't afraid to show Annie physically struggling with her wild student, who bruised her teacher with her tiny yet powerful fists.
The novel is fueled by truth, determination, and introspection. This is not only about teaching Helen how to spell "doll" or "water," but about reaching her. Annie wanted Helen to really know what she was spelling - to honestly communicate - to fully understand.
Recommended for ages 8 and up - for all ages, really.
November 4, 2007
Full disclosure: I have always been fascinated by the story of Helen Keller, but even more by her teacher Annie Sullivan. One of my books on a long ago Scholastic Book order back in elementary school was Helen Keller's Teacher. I read about Annie Sullivan's horrendous childhood, years of which were spent at the almshouse Tewksbury in Massachusetts. There her beloved brother Jimmy died of tuberculosis, leaving her alone, angry, and blinded by glaucoma. Miraculously, she found her way to an education and, her sight - mostly- restored through surgeries and for lack of any other real career possibilities, she accepted the job offer from the Kellers in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Years later I read the book to my own children and when we were able to stop at Ivy Green in Tuscumbia on our way to Memphis, suffice to say, Nick and Kat were properly impressed.
All this by way of saying, I knew I had to read Miss Spitfire and I only hoped that its author would do the story right. Sarah Miller did. The years at Tewksbury are there, the horror of Jimmy's death, the desperation with which Annie threw herself at a visiting delegation to the alsmhouse, begging to go to school. These flashbacks show how Anne Sullivan grew into a twenty-year-old determined to make her own way.
The story is told from Annie's point of view, and the reader hears all her anger, frustration, intelligence, and love, as she tries to essentially tame her student so that Helen can be released from her overwhelming isolation. That she was able to do so less than two months after her arrival at Ivy Green is a testament not so much to her natural teaching ability but to her identification with Helen's loneliness.
Sarah Miller, if I got a vote on the Newbery, it would be yours. Thanks for a truly lovely read.
All this by way of saying, I knew I had to read Miss Spitfire and I only hoped that its author would do the story right. Sarah Miller did. The years at Tewksbury are there, the horror of Jimmy's death, the desperation with which Annie threw herself at a visiting delegation to the alsmhouse, begging to go to school. These flashbacks show how Anne Sullivan grew into a twenty-year-old determined to make her own way.
The story is told from Annie's point of view, and the reader hears all her anger, frustration, intelligence, and love, as she tries to essentially tame her student so that Helen can be released from her overwhelming isolation. That she was able to do so less than two months after her arrival at Ivy Green is a testament not so much to her natural teaching ability but to her identification with Helen's loneliness.
Sarah Miller, if I got a vote on the Newbery, it would be yours. Thanks for a truly lovely read.
December 13, 2012
I recently finished reading "Miss.Spitfire" by Sarah Miller. Nicknamed "Miss Spitfire" Annie Sullivan, a half blind orphan is destined to do the impossible, teach Helen Keller, a blind and deaf child. As wild, obnoxious and spoiled as Helen is, it is amazing to see how persistent and firm Annie is to make the real Helen come out of her world of darkness. This book is definitely character driven and has lots of voice.
Whenever I try to teach or help my little sister, it is hard because she either will not listen to me, or she will mess around and be silly. But teaching a blind and deaf person made me recognize how much more difficult Annie's job was. The book helped me in many ways because now when someone is trying to teach me I try to make it easier and cooperate more.
I can infer why Annie's nickname is "Miss Spitfire". It is because she has a fiery tongue and is not afraid to speak up. She is strong-willed and accomplishes whatever she wants. Annie is special in a way because she is the only person in the house that will have the courage to stand up to Helen while the family pampers her. Annie is a very good match for Helen and probably the only person who can help her.
In a way Annie is like Helen. Annie has a dark past and Helen's world is literally dark. They both come from a world of loneliness where no one can understand them.
The book made me feel that nobody should ever face such a difficult situation in their life. I wish the story continued further and did not stop when it did. I do plan to read Helen Keller's autobiography to understand her point of view about this time in her life.
Whenever I try to teach or help my little sister, it is hard because she either will not listen to me, or she will mess around and be silly. But teaching a blind and deaf person made me recognize how much more difficult Annie's job was. The book helped me in many ways because now when someone is trying to teach me I try to make it easier and cooperate more.
I can infer why Annie's nickname is "Miss Spitfire". It is because she has a fiery tongue and is not afraid to speak up. She is strong-willed and accomplishes whatever she wants. Annie is special in a way because she is the only person in the house that will have the courage to stand up to Helen while the family pampers her. Annie is a very good match for Helen and probably the only person who can help her.
In a way Annie is like Helen. Annie has a dark past and Helen's world is literally dark. They both come from a world of loneliness where no one can understand them.
The book made me feel that nobody should ever face such a difficult situation in their life. I wish the story continued further and did not stop when it did. I do plan to read Helen Keller's autobiography to understand her point of view about this time in her life.
May 31, 2012
In 1904, Helen Keller became the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree. In a time where women were rarely educated, and the disabled were shunned, Helen Keller wrote books and articles, and campaigned tirelessly for the blind. I am sure you have all heard of Helen Keller and her remarkable achievements.
Behind her success was a half blind orphan named Annie Sullivan, known to Helen as "Teacher." Annie, nicknamed "Miss Spitfire" as a child, had the daunting task of teaching Helen. Helen, unable to communicate, was lost in her own mind and prone to fits of rage due to the inability to express herself. Annie was desperate to reach Helen's mind. This is the story of how Annie eventually broke through.
Annie Sullivan emerges as the heroine of this tale. This book is told from her perspective. She is faced with a deaf, blind, and unruly child who does not know how to communicate, or that communication even exists. Annie had to teach Helen words, but also had to somehow convey that words have universal meanings.
Although Annie is overshadowed by Helen in the history books, her life should be celebrated as well. Annie displayed true perseverance and determination. I enjoyed the flashbacks to Annie's troubled childhood, as it helped the reader to understand her better. This book is a testament to the power of language and how it transformed Helen's life. A quick read, one that you won't want to miss.
http://www.rachelslitpicks.com/
Behind her success was a half blind orphan named Annie Sullivan, known to Helen as "Teacher." Annie, nicknamed "Miss Spitfire" as a child, had the daunting task of teaching Helen. Helen, unable to communicate, was lost in her own mind and prone to fits of rage due to the inability to express herself. Annie was desperate to reach Helen's mind. This is the story of how Annie eventually broke through.
Annie Sullivan emerges as the heroine of this tale. This book is told from her perspective. She is faced with a deaf, blind, and unruly child who does not know how to communicate, or that communication even exists. Annie had to teach Helen words, but also had to somehow convey that words have universal meanings.
Although Annie is overshadowed by Helen in the history books, her life should be celebrated as well. Annie displayed true perseverance and determination. I enjoyed the flashbacks to Annie's troubled childhood, as it helped the reader to understand her better. This book is a testament to the power of language and how it transformed Helen's life. A quick read, one that you won't want to miss.
http://www.rachelslitpicks.com/
November 22, 2016
Amazing! Gives a new dimension to Annie Sullivan, the woman who unlocked the wonderful world of language for Helen Keller. Without "teacher," as Helen called her, there would have never been a "Helen Keller."
December 24, 2009
I've been fascinated by Helen Keller (and her relationship with her teacher) since I was a little girl. Her story, no matter how you look at it, is a remarkable one.
Sarah Miller's wonderfully written debut is a fictionalized account of Anne Sullivan's first several weeks (told from her perspective) as Helen Keller's teacher. Miller based her writing in part on actual letters Anne wrote at the time -- excerpts of which she quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
The journey from their introduction to Helen's first famous discovery/realization of language is not an easy one. Helen is blind, deaf, and trapped in an isolated world she does not fully understand. She is unruly and prone to tempter tantrums. She doesn't comprehend what it is Miss Sullivan is trying to show her, and therefore initially wants no part of it. To add to Anne's struggles, the Kellers dote on Helen, so distraught by their daughter's unfair circumstances that they refuse to discipline her. How can they, they argue, when she has already been deprived of so much?
But Miss Sullivan was nicknamed Miss Spitfire for a reason. She believes there is a bright mind behind all that unruliness, desperate to be set free. She insists the Kellers allow her to tame Helen as she sees fit. "In my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three," she says.
Both Helen and her teacher come vibrantly alive through Miller's writing. I felt such compassion both for Helen and for Anne as they struggled to understand each other. In the end, when Helen makes that first genuine and miraculous connection between object and language, the excitement that is stirred by student and teacher is wonderfully palpable. You want to jump for joy right along with them.
As always of late , I listened to the audio version, and found the narrator did an excellent job.
Highly recommended!
Sarah Miller's wonderfully written debut is a fictionalized account of Anne Sullivan's first several weeks (told from her perspective) as Helen Keller's teacher. Miller based her writing in part on actual letters Anne wrote at the time -- excerpts of which she quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
The journey from their introduction to Helen's first famous discovery/realization of language is not an easy one. Helen is blind, deaf, and trapped in an isolated world she does not fully understand. She is unruly and prone to tempter tantrums. She doesn't comprehend what it is Miss Sullivan is trying to show her, and therefore initially wants no part of it. To add to Anne's struggles, the Kellers dote on Helen, so distraught by their daughter's unfair circumstances that they refuse to discipline her. How can they, they argue, when she has already been deprived of so much?
But Miss Sullivan was nicknamed Miss Spitfire for a reason. She believes there is a bright mind behind all that unruliness, desperate to be set free. She insists the Kellers allow her to tame Helen as she sees fit. "In my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three," she says.
Both Helen and her teacher come vibrantly alive through Miller's writing. I felt such compassion both for Helen and for Anne as they struggled to understand each other. In the end, when Helen makes that first genuine and miraculous connection between object and language, the excitement that is stirred by student and teacher is wonderfully palpable. You want to jump for joy right along with them.
As always of late , I listened to the audio version, and found the narrator did an excellent job.
Highly recommended!
June 12, 2007
I think the only things that makes this different from the Miracle Worker is that it's a book, it sheds a little more light on Annie Sullivan's past, and it's told in first person from her perspective. Other than that it's just, really, the book form of Miracle Worker.
Putting aside the fact that the book is geared towards younger people, it's pretty good writing, especially this being Miller's first novel. But while the story of Helen Keller is fascinating, I have to wonder why we should read this book. I kept wondering what made this book any different from any other Helen Keller book out there. The answer is: nothing. Sure there is the catch that it's supposed to be more about Annie than about Helen, but the focus did keep swinging towards Helen. Granted I'd imagine it would be hard to keep the attention on the less interesting character, Helen Keller being a fascinating and amazing figure.
All in all the book was a pretty entertaining read, shedding a little more light on Annie Sullivan and giving a little more information on the story of Helen's education as a whole. I think for younger readers who haven't learned that much about Helen Keller, this would be an excellent book to add to their learning experience.
Putting aside the fact that the book is geared towards younger people, it's pretty good writing, especially this being Miller's first novel. But while the story of Helen Keller is fascinating, I have to wonder why we should read this book. I kept wondering what made this book any different from any other Helen Keller book out there. The answer is: nothing. Sure there is the catch that it's supposed to be more about Annie than about Helen, but the focus did keep swinging towards Helen. Granted I'd imagine it would be hard to keep the attention on the less interesting character, Helen Keller being a fascinating and amazing figure.
All in all the book was a pretty entertaining read, shedding a little more light on Annie Sullivan and giving a little more information on the story of Helen's education as a whole. I think for younger readers who haven't learned that much about Helen Keller, this would be an excellent book to add to their learning experience.
February 16, 2012
I've been fascinated with the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan ever since I was little and first read about them. This novel is based on their first month together, when Helen first learned to communicate with fingerspelled words. I think Sarah Miller has captured Annie's frustrations and emotions just right. Even though I knew the story, and knew what would happen, it was still suspenseful, and I couldn't put it down.
Miller certainly did plenty of research in preparation for writing the story. I hadn't realized until I read this that Laura Bridgman had been the only deaf/blind/mute person to be educated prior to Helen. Annie's accomplishment was major. I appreciated the photos at the end of the book, so that I could see the real Helen and Annie. I also liked the follow-up history of the two after the point at which the story ends. I was happy to learn that Annie finally found the love she craved, but sad to see that it ended in separation. I'll have to dig out Helen Keller's biography of Annie now, as well as Keller's own autobiography.
An interesting note: the book appeared to be printed in larger-than-normal type--for visually impaired readers, I wonder?
An excellent effort, and highly recommended!
Miller certainly did plenty of research in preparation for writing the story. I hadn't realized until I read this that Laura Bridgman had been the only deaf/blind/mute person to be educated prior to Helen. Annie's accomplishment was major. I appreciated the photos at the end of the book, so that I could see the real Helen and Annie. I also liked the follow-up history of the two after the point at which the story ends. I was happy to learn that Annie finally found the love she craved, but sad to see that it ended in separation. I'll have to dig out Helen Keller's biography of Annie now, as well as Keller's own autobiography.
An interesting note: the book appeared to be printed in larger-than-normal type--for visually impaired readers, I wonder?
An excellent effort, and highly recommended!
September 21, 2007
A fictionalized memoir of Annie Sullivan, the woman who taught Helen Keller language, this book was completely engrossing to me. It starts when Annie Sullivan first arrives at the Kellers' home. She has flashbacks to her own horrible childhood, which she endured in several terrible orphanages. Annie has been hired to teach six-year-old Helen Keller language. When she arrives at the Keller home, she finds a feisty, intelligent little savage. Helen is totally wild because her parents feel too guilty to discipline her. Within a week, Annie is covered in bruises, missing half a tooth, and so mad she could strangle young Helen. But despite the crazy behavioral issues, Annie is convinced that there is a smart, sweet little girl inside the wild beast and Annie is not going to give up until she finds a way to reach her.
I can already imagine the booktalk I'll give for this book. I think the subject matter is pretty unique and interesting and I think it will appeal to older elementary and middle school students. I found it fascinating and Miller provides an extensive author's note and list of resources at the end of the book. Hurrah!
I can already imagine the booktalk I'll give for this book. I think the subject matter is pretty unique and interesting and I think it will appeal to older elementary and middle school students. I found it fascinating and Miller provides an extensive author's note and list of resources at the end of the book. Hurrah!
March 18, 2019
Ok, this book was amazing. I am pretty familiar with the story of Helen Keller, but I had never read anything about her from Anne Sullivan's point of view. So this was a refreshingly new take on a story that may seem pretty familiar to many.
The writing in this book was very good. I could feel the tension between Annie and Helen, and see their interactions play out in my mind's eye. I loved the growth that the characters went through - and it made it even more awesome that they are actually real life people! I also loved the emphasis on words, and how important they are. I found it fascinating to try and imagine Helen's life without words - it was something that I had never really pondered before. Overall, I loved this book - it made me think deeply, it was emotional and beautiful, and ended on such a wonderful note of hope. Highly recommended!
The writing in this book was very good. I could feel the tension between Annie and Helen, and see their interactions play out in my mind's eye. I loved the growth that the characters went through - and it made it even more awesome that they are actually real life people! I also loved the emphasis on words, and how important they are. I found it fascinating to try and imagine Helen's life without words - it was something that I had never really pondered before. Overall, I loved this book - it made me think deeply, it was emotional and beautiful, and ended on such a wonderful note of hope. Highly recommended!
November 20, 2019
My knowledge of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan come mostly from an animated Hero series my kids had. I remember Helen being wild and difficult and how the water pump was the break through moment. I appreciated learning more about Annie but there was not enough. There were too many holes left when the book was finally over. Maybe this book was only meant to spark an interest in finding out more. The book only covers a one month period. It is a very important period but when I was half way through the book I wondered if we would actually get anywhere in the story. The book was far too repetitive and almost seemed like two steps forward and one back in every chapter. I felt like my time would have been better spent reading a two page article about the same subject. Some may appreciate the emotion and “getting into Anne’s head” but I felt it was contrived and pointless.
October 6, 2008
I’ve been fascinated by the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan ever since elementary school when a local woman brought a program to my school that used dolls to tell the stories of famous American women. (I think it may have been part of this Dolls of Democracy program: http://www.thejointlibrary.org/archiv...).
Having read so much about both of these women, I didn’t know if this book would add anything of interest to the story for me, especially since it covers the exact same time period—-Anne’s first month with Helen—-as The Miracle Worker. But this is historical fiction, told from Anne Sullivan’s perspective, and this interpretation of the story is rich, fresh, and very well-written. If I could, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars.
Having read so much about both of these women, I didn’t know if this book would add anything of interest to the story for me, especially since it covers the exact same time period—-Anne’s first month with Helen—-as The Miracle Worker. But this is historical fiction, told from Anne Sullivan’s perspective, and this interpretation of the story is rich, fresh, and very well-written. If I could, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars.
April 2, 2011
This is a novel about Annie Sullivan and told from her POV, the woman who taught Helen Keller how to communicate. Being deaf, myself, I was eager to read this. However, I was disappointed...
Here's why:
The entire novel is a young Helen and she is like an unruly monkey being trained. She's a very unattractive character and though I have no doubt she was really like that before she could communicate (I mean imagine being deaf and blind and not know words.) I thought it was a bit much at times. Annie literally has to train her like a dog, offering cake instead of Milk Bones.
To read full review, please click on the link below:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
Here's why:
The entire novel is a young Helen and she is like an unruly monkey being trained. She's a very unattractive character and though I have no doubt she was really like that before she could communicate (I mean imagine being deaf and blind and not know words.) I thought it was a bit much at times. Annie literally has to train her like a dog, offering cake instead of Milk Bones.
To read full review, please click on the link below:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
December 14, 2015
This book is about a woman named Sarah that has to got to a place to teach a young spoiled girl, that girl isn't just young and spoiled but she doesn't know how to hear or see so it is a challenge to teach her. i like this book because it makes you think a lot about how thankful you should be that you are not deaf and blind. i recommend this book to people who like yo read things that re a little bit of fiction and a little bit of nonfiction.
December 3, 2019
I've never read anything about Helen Keller or Anne Sullivan but this was not what I wanted. There were big gaps in Anne's history. The author was unnecessarily repetitive. Anne's need for affection came across as predatory. And I didn't appreciate the author's interpretation of Anne's inner thoughts.
September 1, 2016
Lovely retelling of The Miracle Worker from Annie Sullivan's perspective. I was distressed by the amount of bullying/discipline in the book, but my nine year old thought nothing of it. "It's what Helen needed, Mama." Okay. Read in preparation for #obob2017
April 19, 2021
Definitely not my favorite Sarah Miller (Caroline holds that spot) to take but still just as eye opening to read fictionalized accounts to expound upon what I already know. Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she’d taken on a seemingly impossible job—teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But if anyone was a match for Helen Keller, it was the girl who’d been nicknamed Miss Spitfire. In her efforts to reach Helen’s mind, Annie lost teeth to the girl’s raging blows, but she never lost faith in her ability to triumph. Told in first person, Annie Sullivan’s past, her brazen determination, and her connection to the girl who would call her Teacher are vividly depicted in this powerful novel.
September 21, 2023
A really quick read that chronicles the first month of Annie and Helen's relationship. Again, from the first person, as is Miller's specialty. The brief looks into Annie's past and gives insight into why she was a good fit for Helen even if she doubted herself constantly that first month. I had hoped for a story that went further into their relationship after Annie helped Helen to "speak" but still a good read. If you're short on time or need something to read over a weekend, this would be a good one to pick up.
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