When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller's life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity.

This is a great read for older elementary students. It is a great book for a student that is just beginning to read chapter books. This book could also be considered a biography but I categorized it as Historical Fiction because some parts of the story are dramatized and the pictures are more childlike. Altogether I learned about the life of Helen Keller and what amazing things she accomplished in her life. This book can teach children the lesson to never give up no matter how hard life becomes. It teaches this through Helen Keller’s challenges and accomplishments. Helen Keller was born without vision or the ability to hear. At first this was a challenge but she persevered and succeeded. Helen Keller even went on to graduate college and accomplish many great things. This book briefly discribes her life story including the people that affected her the most. The book discribes her struggles and how she never gave up. These details suported the message that no matter what it is important to never give up. We can accomplish great things even whe we struggle. I would definitely recommend this book for children due to the information and message it conveys. ( )

Summary:
Helen is left deaf and blind due to an illness as just a toddler. Since this type of disability was not common her parents were unsure of what they could do to teach her until they hired Annie. Annie teaches Helen how to care for herself as well as how to sign. Helen would go on to become a very successful, college educated, women.

Personal Reaction:
This was a great book! I think this book really helps to show students that disabilities do not make it impossible for people to live normal lives or to be successful. I also think it is a great way to introduce young students to some of the differences they might notice among themselves.

Classroom Extension:

1.)Have the students put on blindfolds and try to guess the items you have provided them using only touch.
2.) Place the students in groups and have one student from each group put on a blindfold. Then have the other students try to describe an item of their choosing to the blindfolded student without using the name of the item.
3.) Have the students think of other ways that a person might be able to communicate with others if they are blind, deaf, or simply speak a different language. Have them practice their ideas with one another. ( )

The story "Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark" is about Keller's life growing up being blind. This is a great story that shows how she learned to adapt with being deaf and blindness get in the way of becoming the first to get a bachelors degree. Her tale of learning how to read braille with her teacher helping her is remarkable and send a powerful messaged.
Helen Keller is such a remarkable lady that shows us all that you can do anything if you set your mind to it and don't let things get in the way. This will make anybody feel like they can do anything and such a powerful story. I love the way the author makes it so students can understand how she felt and how she was encouraged to make something of herself.
In the classroom, the teacher could set up an obstacle course and have students be blindfolded, to experience how Keller was being blind. The teacher could also have a lesson on teaching students how to read braille and learn sign language. These would be fun hands-on activities for the students to learn how it was in the life of Keller.

A well-written biography with pretty colored pencil illustrations. Simple sentence and paragraph structure, so could be accessible to earlier readers. Tells Helen's story from birth.

Includes a braille guide. ( )

Helen Keller was born a healthy baby girl, but when she was just over a year old she became sick with a very high fever. A few days passed and the fever broke. Although she wasn't sick anymore, the high fever left her unable to hear or see. Becoming blind and deaf turned the once happy child into a wild child. She kicked, scratched, and screamed at her parents. During dinnertime she stuck her hands in others plates. Helen's parents didn't know what to do with her so they sought the help of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. Mr. Bell suggested they take her to the Perkins Institute for the Blind. There they met Anne Sullivan. When Anne arrived Helen was almost 7 and very unhappy. At first Helen would not listen or obey Anne but with a lot of patience she began to learn. This beautiful story of courage ends with the many accomplishment of Helen Keller.

Personal Reaction:
I love this story. It teaches kids that even though they may have a disability, that shouldn't keep them from learning and succeeding in anything they would like to do.

Classroom Extension
1. Have students make their way through an obstacle course blindfolded so they can experience what its like to be blind.
2. Have students write a paragraph about what they think Anne felt like when she was young and unable to hear, see or communicate. ( )

fourth grade standard ( )

I like this book for three reasons. First, this book opens the minds of it’s readers to something they may have never thought about. Allowing the reader to think about the tough issues that others have overcome, making themselves successful and prosperous through hard work and dedication. For example, when a childhood illness leaves Helen Keller blind and deaf, Helen’s life seems hopeless. But her unconquerable will and the help of a devoted teacher permit Helen to triumph over incredible hardship. The book is based off of a true story which allows the reader to understand that life can be a challenge, but that should only make you work harder to accomplish your goals.
Second, the simple writing style is easy for young readers to follow. For instance, “Helen now knew how to express her thoughts. For the first time, she was happy.” The book is done in chapters which allowed the author to place more information in the book without overwhelming the readers. This allowed the reader to remain interested in wanting to finish the story because they would be pulled in by their interest and curiosity of finding out what happens to Helen.
Third, the beautiful illustrations keep the reader engaged and add depth to this beautiful biography. The pictures go hand in hand with what is happening in the story providing the reader with a visual to what they are reading. For example, the book starts off describing dinner time with Helen as dysfunctional and messy. On the pages we see Helen screaming and throwing food around the room, with cups spilling over onto the floor. Further along we see her learning how to properly use a fork and spoon. This image corresponds to the part of the text when her teacher Annie are practicing how to hold a spoon.
This book's main idea is overcoming differences that put you at a disadvantage. Life will always be challenging and for others it may be more difficult so one must never give up and try their best no matter what their given circumstances are. Where there is a will there is a way. As Helen Keller states, “The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ( )

This book is about a girl named Helen Keller who was both blind and deaf. As a baby Helen became very sick and eventually lost her hearing and seeing abilities. Helen's parents could not communicate with her nor could they control her so they allowed her to do what she wanted. A lady named Anne Sullivan came and taught her how to talk, write, eat, and take care of herself. Helen eventually went to school and also attended college.

Reaction: I watched this movie as young child and was amazed at how a person who was blind and deaf could learn and eventually begin to communicate with others. After watching this movie then reading this book I decided I wanted to be in the field where I can help others like Anne helped Helen

Extension: A great extension idea is for each person to lean simple braille words and learn how to write their name in braille. Another idea is to learn some sign language, especially if any child is exposed to it at home. This can help children understand why others have to use braille or sign language to communicate.

Summary: Hellen Keller was a girl who became very sick when she was younger and because of the sickness she became blind and deaf. But even through all her struggles she became a very important woman.

Reaction: Great book about determination and over coming obstacles.

Extention:
Social Studies have the children experiment with small words in braille.
Science the children could learn about her blindness and what part of the eyes it effects.
Science lesson still on her deafness and what parts of the ears that involves.

Summary:
It is a short story about Helen Keller's life. It walks you through all of her struggles and successes. It shows you that when you put your mind to it anything is possible.

Personal Reaction:
I really loved this book, I have always loved the story of Helen Keller. It is an easy and short way to read about her story.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) Introduce students to different disabilities they can have, even have examples to show them, like blindfolds and ear buds.

2) Use this book to motivate students who are thinking they cannot do things, show them that she was able to overcome things she did not think she could and that they can too.

Summary:
Short children's literature story of Helen Keller's incredible journey. Briefly goes through her life to show her struggles and her triumphs. Show that though courage and strength and no matter your disability, anything is still possible.

Personal Reaction:
As a parent, this story can really pull a tear. To suffer along with her parents through her struggles, but then praise through her achievements. This one is staying with me and in my library.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Great book for students who are struggling in school and with low self-esteem or confidence. Could be a motivator type of story to most students. Can show that anything is possible if you give it all you got.

2. Could use this as an introduction to putting students into her world. Giving them a blindfold and earmuffs, and having them go from place to place with in the classroom or outside. This will give them insight and possible respect to those with this disability.

Summary:
Helen Keller is a young girl who is born blind, mute, and deaf. She struggles with everyday activities and the story shows how her teacher is able to help her communicate through sign language.
Personal Reaction:
This story was very empowering even for a children's book. It would help the child see that even though she has a disability she is still able to live every day life.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. You can do different activities where the child is given the opportunity to experience having one of their senses taken away.
2. Discuss special needs and how to help those that show they need it.

Great book to read aloud. I would have students stop me when they hear an adjective or adverb. To reinforce certain English language words.

Helen Keller was blind and deaf. She was not an easy child to deal with because she didn’t know how to express herself so she acted up. Eventually her parent got her a teacher Anne Sullivan. She taught Helen sign language to communicate with the world. She went to college and graduated.

I learned a lot about Helen Keller from this book and was very moved how she was taught so many things when her parents never thought she would.

In the classroom, I would have my children get in groups of two and blind fold each other and wear ear muffs. Then we would see how it is to be like Helen Keller. I can also have them do research papers on disabilities. ( )

A bio of Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf. As a child, she was wild and unruly because she didn't know how to express herself. Her parents eventually had a teacher, Anne Sullivan, come live with them and teach Helen. Anne taught her sign language and many other things such as how to feed and take care of herself and Helen eventually learned Braille at a different school. She graduated from college with honors and became a published author and many other achievements.

This book has taught me more about the story of Helen Keller, which has always been interesting.

In the classroom, this story could be used to teach students about overcoming obstacles whether they are physical or something else.

Helen Keller was sick when she was little because of that she became deaf and blind. Her parents did not know what to do with her, or how to control her. So she became a wild child. They took her to see Alexander Graham Bell and he told them to take her to an institute. There they found a teacher named Amy Sullivan. Amy taught Helen words and what they ment. Helen then went to school to learn brail and write. She also learn how to talk with her hands. Helen met many famous people during her lifetime.

I think this book is a very good way to teach younger children the story of Helen Keller. The story had many colorful pictures that matched the words. I would use this book in my classroom.

I would use this book in a unit about Helen Keller.

The book Helen Keller; Courage in the Dark id about a girl named Helen who was born in 1880. When Helen was a year and half she became sick with a high fever. After a few days the fever was gone but left Helen blind and deaf. Helen became a wild child. She scratched and yelled at her parents. She threw food at the dinner table. Helen's parents didn't know what to do. Helen's parents heard of the Perkin's Institution. A teacher named Annie Sullivan came to live with the Kellers and tought Helen how to communicate with her hand. Helen became very excited to learn. She went to college and then traveled the world being an inspiration to everyone with a disability.

I really enjoyed this book. It's an encouraging book that has a great message. Just because you maybe disabled doesn't mean you can't learn and change the world.

This would be a great book to read to you class if you had someone who was handicapped. It woul encourage that child to keep trying.

Step into Reading book. Great for kids just breaking in to reading paragraphs and getting ready for larger chapter books. My daughter was able to read this with help in 1st grade, and she's read it countless times by herself ever since. A great introduction to Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.

"Helen Keller: Courage In the Dark" tells the story of American author, Helen Keller. Born July 27 1880 in Alabama, Helen began her life as a normal little girl. But when she was 1 years old, she developed a fever that left her deaf and blind. Helen became wild and frustrated because she could not communicate. Her parents did not believe that there was any hope for their child until they met Anne Sullivan. Anne taught Helen how to behave and taught her sign language by moving her fingers to form the letters. From this point on, nothing was impossible for Helen. She graduated from Radcliffe College with honors. She learned German and French, wrote books, and became famous all over the world.

Helen Keller defines the phrase “nothing is impossible.” When I first opened this book, I expected to find the same story that had been reproduced several times. But as I read, I realized that this was not your usual condensed Helen Keller story. The book is done in chapters which allowed the author to place more information in the book without overwhelming the readers. The simple writing style is easy for young readers to follow. The beautiful illustrations keep the reader engaged and add depth to this beautiful biography.

Possibly, with any grade level, I could teach minilessons on Braille or sign language. Students will then be able to somewhat enter Helen’s world. I could have older children write about a challenge that they had to overcome. They can share their story to the class or to a small group. ( )

This story provides the reader with an overview of Helen Keller’s life. As most of us know, Helen Keller was both deaf and blind. As a young child, she contracted an illness that left her this way. Her parents did not think it was important to try to teach Helen, and let her rule the house. Her life continued in this manner until the age of seven when Annie Sullivan came to live with the family. Soon after her eighth birthday Helen and Annie moved to Annie’s old school where Helen was Braille. At the age of ten Helen met another teacher who was able to teach her how to talk. Helen went on to go to college and learned several languages. At the age of twenty two, she published her own biography of her life. In her later years she went on to tour with Annie Sullivan all over the world talking about people who had overcome their handicaps and how she overcame hers. In her lifetime, Helen managed to accomplish more than most thought she ever would. I have always been interested and inspired by Helen Keller, so I loved this biography. I think that this would be a great example of a biography to show children. The book manages to go into detail about a person’s life, but not to the point that it is boring, drawn out, and written in a way that children cannot understand what the author is saying. The author included great illustrations that truly bring the story to life. The pictures tell the story, so even children can’t read can figure out what is going on. An extension idea for this biography would to have a class on finger spelling to show how Helen first learned to communicate. There are many websites and videos that teach this. You could also do an activity in which the students close their eyes and attempt to navigate their way through a maze to see what Helen went through in order to go places.

A biography of a blind and deaf girl who overcame both handicaps with the help of her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

This is a complete biography of the life of Helen Keller. It discusses her stuggles and challenges she overcame from birth to an elderly women.The book is an attribute to her and her accomplishments.
This book has fifty pages and crammes a lot of information in to a small book. It would be a geat read for a begining reader. However, it left me wanting to know more.
After reading this book it would be interesting to have a class blind fold themselves and not be allowed to talk for thirty minutes. It would really teach them what it must feel like for Miss Keller. A class discussion on that would be essential.

jB