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Scholastic Biography
Louis Braille: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind
A poignant story of the man who developed the Braille system of printing for the blind.
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
21 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Davidson
71 books52 followersThere 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 24, 2024
What an amazing story! Louis isn’t just insanely talented but he is incredibly inspiring, humble, and selfless. The book almost brought me to tears 🥹
September 7, 2012
I read this book during primary school, remembered loving it and now it's on the list for my daughters to read, love that books go full circle. Think it's time to re read after glancing at other reviews.
January 17, 2023
Louis Braille thought he was going to be a saddle maker, but when he was five one of the tools got in his eye and after an infection made him blind. He went to a school for the blind, but was sad because he could not read. Later in his life, Louis invented an alphabet for those who cannot see and created a tool that would punch braille on page. This was a very slow process during his time, but now there are machines that can produce Braille books quickly. Louis Braille worked to solve this problem can people who are blind have enjoyed reading ever since.
December 14, 2016
كتاب رائع... لأول مرة اعرف المعاناة التي قاسها لويس برايل مبتكر الحروف الابجدية للمكفوفين... حقاً ان المبدع حتى يثمر ابداعه بالمجتمع يمر بتجاربٍ قاسية...
July 17, 2022
An excellent book about an excellent person.
October 12, 2024
I LOVED this story ... a blind boy who had a great idea, and tried and tried and tried until it worked! And then tried and tried and tried until he got the world to recognize it! And now it helps lots of people! Wonderful story, and written for young readers so they can get the history of it without too deep of reading! Great Elementary grade book
December 10, 2021
This book was just amazing. I absolutely loved the fact that it had the braille alphabet on the back. Back to the book...as a non blind person, I feel this book was really tugging my heartstrings, just the way that Louis never gave up and kept on persevering and kept on being resilient was just amazing. He should definitely be a role model to anyone.... blind or not blind. Don't give up! The way this book was written was gorgeous and I would recommend this to anybody!
Age recommendation : 9+ (not for any rude reasons, some younger children may not get the concept)
Star rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you!
~Megan
Age recommendation : 9+ (not for any rude reasons, some younger children may not get the concept)
Star rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you!
~Megan
January 20, 2009
I read this for Willa's book club and found it to be much more fun than I thought it would be. There is a certain value in reading a book that the authors have made an effort to write in clear and simple terms for an audience of children. And many biographies may be better that way anyway. I'm much more interested in the quick take of Louis Braille than the academic delving of historians that care too much about minutiae.
March 14, 2009
This is a very short book telling about the extraordinary and short life of Louis Braille, the developer of the reading system for the blind. He came up with the ultimate in finger pad reading at the age of 15 much to the chagrin of all the adults around him. Inspiring story.
April 20, 2017
I think this book was a great non-fiction text. It had so very emotional parts, but that is what books are for.I would request this book to anyone who would like to read it!!👍👌👍
March 16, 2024
Merveilleuse relecture de cette biographie de Louis Braille, qui a bercé mon enfance💙
December 4, 2017
I liked it.
I know who he is and what he did for the Blind but not his story and how he created the Braille. He faced a lot of tragedy and rejections in life. But he never gives up because of his passion for reading.
I know who he is and what he did for the Blind but not his story and how he created the Braille. He faced a lot of tragedy and rejections in life. But he never gives up because of his passion for reading.
March 27, 2021
De la simplicité merveilleuse ❤️
September 9, 2022
Great story for those interested in teaching their kids about Louis Braille. I learned a lot myself that I didn't know.
March 27, 2023
Wonderful living history book! The whole family was inspired by his story, and I choked up at the end reading it aloud.
October 13, 2023
Lu dans le cadre du stage CM1-CM2
aborder avec les élèves
- le respect des différences
- croire en ses rêves
- problèmes de mathématiques avec la cellule de braille
- scène de théâtre
aborder avec les élèves
- le respect des différences
- croire en ses rêves
- problèmes de mathématiques avec la cellule de braille
- scène de théâtre
Read
October 9, 2023Cried like a baby in the end😮💨What a determined boy and young man!! Glad he finally, after his death, got the recognition he deserved.
February 5, 2022
Cook anlamlı ve güzel bir kitapti ne diyim görmezlere olan ilgim arttı
March 30, 2014
An Eye Opening Book on a Boy Who Taught the World a New Way to See
Having read several of Margaret Davidson's books, I admit I have a certain brand loyalty, an admiration for her writing. I heartily recommend anything by Ms. Davidson, and this little book is no exception. As with her biography on Thomas A. Edison, the subject of this book had to overcome great obstacles. As Ms. Davidson points out, the blind (and the deaf, for that matter) were often not considered able to be taught. Young Louis was fortunate to have a very understanding father, who was able to find an opportunity for his son at a larger school in Paris. There, he flourished, his young mind not only able to absorb learning, but also apply it. At twelve, he would start to create the alphabet that still bears his name. This is the story of this world-famous alphabet and the boy who invented it.
Margaret Davidson treats her subject - and audience - with great respect and tells his story in the sympathetic way for which she is known. Children can learn a lot from reading the biographies of people who led noteworthy, if not extraordinary lives. This sentiment holds especially true for this wonderful little book, where the subject is both someone who was able to use his gifts to overcome harsh obstacles and an example of how adults can learn from the children they teach.
Having read several of Margaret Davidson's books, I admit I have a certain brand loyalty, an admiration for her writing. I heartily recommend anything by Ms. Davidson, and this little book is no exception. As with her biography on Thomas A. Edison, the subject of this book had to overcome great obstacles. As Ms. Davidson points out, the blind (and the deaf, for that matter) were often not considered able to be taught. Young Louis was fortunate to have a very understanding father, who was able to find an opportunity for his son at a larger school in Paris. There, he flourished, his young mind not only able to absorb learning, but also apply it. At twelve, he would start to create the alphabet that still bears his name. This is the story of this world-famous alphabet and the boy who invented it.
Margaret Davidson treats her subject - and audience - with great respect and tells his story in the sympathetic way for which she is known. Children can learn a lot from reading the biographies of people who led noteworthy, if not extraordinary lives. This sentiment holds especially true for this wonderful little book, where the subject is both someone who was able to use his gifts to overcome harsh obstacles and an example of how adults can learn from the children they teach.
February 28, 2013
This Scholastic biography is a simple read that will give young people a good understanding of who Louis Braille was and the great contribution he made to help the blind be able to read books.
I learned many interesting facts about Louis Braille, the first of which was that he was not born blind. The most impressive part of his story was his dedication to the idea of finding a way to help blind people read...not just short texts, or school books, but to be able to enjoy a variety of reading. Louis had such a passion that even when faced with obstacles (and not just the obstacle of being blind)he was determined not to give up!
Louis Braille's success was a success for all those who cannot see!
I learned many interesting facts about Louis Braille, the first of which was that he was not born blind. The most impressive part of his story was his dedication to the idea of finding a way to help blind people read...not just short texts, or school books, but to be able to enjoy a variety of reading. Louis had such a passion that even when faced with obstacles (and not just the obstacle of being blind)he was determined not to give up!
Louis Braille's success was a success for all those who cannot see!
June 18, 2011
Really awesome book. Very short and meant for elementary school students, it glosses over Louis Braille's life quickly, but easily understandable. I think the best part of this book is the back cover has the braille alphabet punched out next to the actual printed alphabet.
I really want to find a more in depth book, but this was a fantastic start. I am 21 and enjoyed this book. I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn a little more about the origins of the Braille alphabet. Read in 30 minutes, learned a lot!
I really want to find a more in depth book, but this was a fantastic start. I am 21 and enjoyed this book. I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn a little more about the origins of the Braille alphabet. Read in 30 minutes, learned a lot!
Read
January 25, 2011I loved learning more about Louis Braille (what an amazing child!), and can't wait to share his story with my kids. What a great reminder that nothing is impossible, and that you can do anything that you want to, even if you are young, at a disadvantage socially/physically, or with whatever your circumstances throw at you.
January 31, 2020
J’ai passé un bon moment avec ce livre. Si vous ne l’avez pas déjà lu, il est à lire de toute urgence Je le conseille à 1000% !
May 19, 2022
the title is wrong - he didn't really invent books for the blind, he invented the alphabet for the blind. at 15, no less. a great introductory books for kids.
talk about perseverance and talent.
talk about perseverance and talent.
May 28, 2019
This is the Scholastic book about Louis Braille who became blind through an accident when he was only three years old. He was so eager to learn and dearly wanted to read, so the parish priest found a way for him to go to school in their village, and then on to the Royal Institute of Blind Youth in Paris.
Louis struggled to invent a method of reading that would be easy to learn and reproduce, but was opposed by people's lack of support in money and interest in his idea, and by jealousy and disbelief. This story is well told, and shows that through his determination and refusal to give up, Louis Braille's invention of an alphabet for the blind before his early death has made a huge difference to the world.
Louis struggled to invent a method of reading that would be easy to learn and reproduce, but was opposed by people's lack of support in money and interest in his idea, and by jealousy and disbelief. This story is well told, and shows that through his determination and refusal to give up, Louis Braille's invention of an alphabet for the blind before his early death has made a huge difference to the world.
October 26, 2015
Louis Braille
By: Achraf
The heartbreaking non-fiction book, “Louis Braille,” is a wonderful piece of writing written by the gifted author Margaret Davidson. To begin with, this marvelous book mainly focuses on how Louis Braille used his perseverance to learn and work hard until his big achievement. As a matter of fact, Louis was a young three year old that lived in Coupvray, France. He was able to see everything around him from the beautiful sky to the humming birds. However, when he was five, a miserable thing happened that changed his life. Louis became blind in both eyes. It all started when his Dad was at work doing his leather carving. Louis loved the smell and wanted to try it out, but his father refused and told him that it was too dangerous. “They are too sharp,” his father said. Too dangerous for a little boy’s hands. Do you understand, Louis?”” (Davidson, 7). Seemingly, promises are hard to keep in Louis’ world! So, Louis went up to the seat and used the awl- a long, pointed tool for punching holes. He picked it up and began to dig it into the leather. The leather was slippery and so was the awl. Suddenly, the awl skidded and it seemed to jump through the air, plunging right into Louis’ eye! Louis began screaming and his mother came running. As a result, Louis’ eye was infected and as he rubbed his hands in both eyes, Louis was blind in both of them. “Then it had seemed as I a gray curtain had fallen in front of his face.” (Davidson, 9). However, as the years pass by, Louis finally goes to a school for the blind. It was hard for him since the school was located in Paris, France and he would be far from his parents. In addition, the school wasn’t a really great and clean school. Due to his love for reading, Louis began working on how he should invent his own writing. Occasionally, the Institute school had a lack of books for the blind. This is why Louis came up with the idea of having the blind alphabet in dots. Furthermore, it took Louis three years to come up and create his alphabet. When Louis began showing it to his friends, everyone was amazed. They could read and write. Lastly, this type of alphabet went on to evolve throughout the blind schools. It was mind-blowing, Louis was proud for what he had achieved in only three years. Sadly, Louis died in his house in January 6, 1852 during a rainy day that he adored before he closed his eyes for the last time. In the modern times, the Braille alphabet is used all around the world. As one can see, this marvelous non-fiction book is well written with a ton of details and many questions that were answered by the reader.
While reading this book, I had four questions that were successfully answered after I finished this marvelous story. First of all, the first question I had to ask was, “How did I know this was a non-fiction book?” Well, this book is a non-fiction book because it talks about a famous person. To be more precise, this book is a biography. “When will morning come? For by now they all knew the answer was ‘never.”(Davidson, 9). Next, the second questions that came to my mind are “Why did the author write this book? How do I know?” To answer this question, the reader should first comprehend that Louis Braille is the person who invented the books for the blind. Without Louis, there wouldn’t be a type of way for the blind to read and write. It would be a long time until a smart and thoughtful person would be born and do the same thing. So, the author wrote this book to show how there was one person that saved the blind from not being able to read and write. Also, I know the author did it because he wants more people to know Louis Braille. Then, the third question I had was, “Why this person is famous?” This question was easily answered because Louis Braille became famous due to the fact that he is the inventor of the “Braille” alphabet. Lastly, the last and most preferably thing I wanted to do was write an acrostic poem about this topic.
Braille is a lifesaver.
Loads of books were published in Braille alphabet.
I personally want to try the Braille alphabet.
No one can go up against Braille.
Doors begin opening and listening when the alphabet started evolving. (This spells Blind).
As one can see, this incredibly well written book had me asking four questions that were descriptively answered throughout the time I’ve been reading through it.
During the end of this non-fiction book, there were many recommendations that would suite certain people. First of all, my favorite part in this story is when Louis Braille met his first friend, Gabriel. This taught the reader that friends aren’t given, they are earned. Next, my least favorite part is when Louis got sick. He had tuberculosis, which was a disease of the lungs. In addition, I would probably read another book by this author because I like to know about famous people that changed the world. Margaret Davidson does a good job of explaining the reasoning for the topic and the achievements that made the person famous. Lastly, I would this book to people who adore Louis Braille and his alphabet. This book could be for people who want to learn about this famous person. I would also highly recommend this book to people who like to learn the Braille alphabet and how it all started. Additionally, this book could be read by the whole Middle School. However, I would not recommend this book to people who don’t like non-fiction biographies. As a matter of fact, this book would best suit students who adore non-fiction books. As one can see, this heartbreaking story can be recommended to many different kinds of people.
By: Achraf
The heartbreaking non-fiction book, “Louis Braille,” is a wonderful piece of writing written by the gifted author Margaret Davidson. To begin with, this marvelous book mainly focuses on how Louis Braille used his perseverance to learn and work hard until his big achievement. As a matter of fact, Louis was a young three year old that lived in Coupvray, France. He was able to see everything around him from the beautiful sky to the humming birds. However, when he was five, a miserable thing happened that changed his life. Louis became blind in both eyes. It all started when his Dad was at work doing his leather carving. Louis loved the smell and wanted to try it out, but his father refused and told him that it was too dangerous. “They are too sharp,” his father said. Too dangerous for a little boy’s hands. Do you understand, Louis?”” (Davidson, 7). Seemingly, promises are hard to keep in Louis’ world! So, Louis went up to the seat and used the awl- a long, pointed tool for punching holes. He picked it up and began to dig it into the leather. The leather was slippery and so was the awl. Suddenly, the awl skidded and it seemed to jump through the air, plunging right into Louis’ eye! Louis began screaming and his mother came running. As a result, Louis’ eye was infected and as he rubbed his hands in both eyes, Louis was blind in both of them. “Then it had seemed as I a gray curtain had fallen in front of his face.” (Davidson, 9). However, as the years pass by, Louis finally goes to a school for the blind. It was hard for him since the school was located in Paris, France and he would be far from his parents. In addition, the school wasn’t a really great and clean school. Due to his love for reading, Louis began working on how he should invent his own writing. Occasionally, the Institute school had a lack of books for the blind. This is why Louis came up with the idea of having the blind alphabet in dots. Furthermore, it took Louis three years to come up and create his alphabet. When Louis began showing it to his friends, everyone was amazed. They could read and write. Lastly, this type of alphabet went on to evolve throughout the blind schools. It was mind-blowing, Louis was proud for what he had achieved in only three years. Sadly, Louis died in his house in January 6, 1852 during a rainy day that he adored before he closed his eyes for the last time. In the modern times, the Braille alphabet is used all around the world. As one can see, this marvelous non-fiction book is well written with a ton of details and many questions that were answered by the reader.
While reading this book, I had four questions that were successfully answered after I finished this marvelous story. First of all, the first question I had to ask was, “How did I know this was a non-fiction book?” Well, this book is a non-fiction book because it talks about a famous person. To be more precise, this book is a biography. “When will morning come? For by now they all knew the answer was ‘never.”(Davidson, 9). Next, the second questions that came to my mind are “Why did the author write this book? How do I know?” To answer this question, the reader should first comprehend that Louis Braille is the person who invented the books for the blind. Without Louis, there wouldn’t be a type of way for the blind to read and write. It would be a long time until a smart and thoughtful person would be born and do the same thing. So, the author wrote this book to show how there was one person that saved the blind from not being able to read and write. Also, I know the author did it because he wants more people to know Louis Braille. Then, the third question I had was, “Why this person is famous?” This question was easily answered because Louis Braille became famous due to the fact that he is the inventor of the “Braille” alphabet. Lastly, the last and most preferably thing I wanted to do was write an acrostic poem about this topic.
Braille is a lifesaver.
Loads of books were published in Braille alphabet.
I personally want to try the Braille alphabet.
No one can go up against Braille.
Doors begin opening and listening when the alphabet started evolving. (This spells Blind).
As one can see, this incredibly well written book had me asking four questions that were descriptively answered throughout the time I’ve been reading through it.
During the end of this non-fiction book, there were many recommendations that would suite certain people. First of all, my favorite part in this story is when Louis Braille met his first friend, Gabriel. This taught the reader that friends aren’t given, they are earned. Next, my least favorite part is when Louis got sick. He had tuberculosis, which was a disease of the lungs. In addition, I would probably read another book by this author because I like to know about famous people that changed the world. Margaret Davidson does a good job of explaining the reasoning for the topic and the achievements that made the person famous. Lastly, I would this book to people who adore Louis Braille and his alphabet. This book could be for people who want to learn about this famous person. I would also highly recommend this book to people who like to learn the Braille alphabet and how it all started. Additionally, this book could be read by the whole Middle School. However, I would not recommend this book to people who don’t like non-fiction biographies. As a matter of fact, this book would best suit students who adore non-fiction books. As one can see, this heartbreaking story can be recommended to many different kinds of people.
October 16, 2018
An easy to read biography for any child or adult who wants to know more about how the braille system came to be developed. It explains the challenges faced by the young Frenchman who invented Braille and dedicated his life to finding a way to read books. The biography explains the support received from his family and some teachers as well as outlining opposition from other people throughout his life. A quick read from when Louis could see until his death and how he was honoured 100 years later having made the attainment of knowledge and education, not to mention the pure enjoyment of reading, more readily available to blind people who could now access text using his raised dot system.
April 1, 2018
Awards the book has received (if any): This book has not received any awards.
Appropriate grade level(s): Fourth and fifth
Original summary: This book follows the life of Louis Braille, a blind boy who invented a system of reading for those who cannot see.
Original review: Though this book is on the older side, it still tells a powerful story of perseverance.
1-2 possible in-class uses: This could be used as a source for a biography assignment. This could also be used as a read aloud to the class.
Appropriate grade level(s): Fourth and fifth
Original summary: This book follows the life of Louis Braille, a blind boy who invented a system of reading for those who cannot see.
Original review: Though this book is on the older side, it still tells a powerful story of perseverance.
1-2 possible in-class uses: This could be used as a source for a biography assignment. This could also be used as a read aloud to the class.
May 7, 2022
I read this with my 7 year old. What a wonderful bio! I was in tears at various points, and I am so gratified to learn about Braille’s life and work. It brought up a ton of discussion with my son, and really made an impression on him. It led to him placing himself in Braille’s place in his mind. How would he react? How would it feel to have those things happen? How would he navigate becoming blind and learning how to live in the world? How have things changed since Braille’s time? Definitely a fantastic read for all-
July 12, 2024
This novel - a biography about Louis Braille - was one of the best I have read. This young boy began working and exploring the world of learning very early. The determination that drove him was the desire to help others learn as he did. Rising above the contradictions to his invention, he shared his ideas with others, and as he fought with every step - with teachers’, peers’ and administrative support, he learned, he taught, and he freed those minds with the same struggles he started with.
“Beauty for Ashes” -a gift from Jesus.
“Beauty for Ashes” -a gift from Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews