Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller

I had been hoping to find a fictional type account of the story of Anne and Helen and came across this book. I'm so glad I did. I couldn't put it down. The book did follow the story we all know from The Miracle Worker but also gave more insight into Anne Sullivan's life before she arrived to teach Helen Keller. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in their story.

Beautiful story... Mesmerizing. Joyful in it's ability to draw you into the complexity of raw human emotion. As much about the "teacher" as the student. Should probably be required reading for all would be teachers. For that matter, should be recommended reading for all would be mothers... as a glimpse into the awakening of selfless love. Caren

Twenty-year-old, half-blind, fiery tempered Annie Sullivan is on her way to Tuscumbia, Alabama to teach six-year-old Helen Keller, who has been deaf, blind, and mute from the young age of 19 months. After she arrives in Tuscumbia, Annie meets Helen's kindly, but desperate mother, Kate Keller. After Annie's first encounter with her obstinate little pupil, she is unsure whether she can breakthrough to Helen. After her first lesson, Helen does not seem to understand that d-o-l-l means the word "doll." Kate seems disappointed, but Annie assures her that it is natural for her daughter not to relize the meaning yet, though Annie feels a bit the same as Kate. Next, Annie wants to teach Helen obedience. Because her parents can't stand to punish her, Helen has remained a tyrant for almost five years. Annie is sure that with a firm hand, she can teach her student how to behave. But her first attemp comes to an abrupt halt after Helen knocks out on of Annie's teeth. Only pain keeps her from continuing the lesson. Now Annie is intent on breaking Helen's appalling table manners. First, she muster enough courage to discpline Helen in front of her employers. After along battle over teaching her pupil to eat from her own plate with a spoon, and fold her own napkin, Annie breaks down. Annie is sure that it is useless for to teach Helen language or anything else under the Kellers' spectical eyes. She asks that Kellers if she and Helen can live somewhere else with. The Kellers consent to letting the pair live in the small garden house where Helen was born. After a few weeks, Annie manages to teach Helen manners, but not that everytime she spells something to Helen that it is the name of an object, tought, or idea. Annie is disappointed when the Kellers insist on having their daughter back, but she has no choice. After the two go back to the main house, Helen begins to act up. Annie knows that she must discipline Helen, but she is afraid that it might get her fired. When she does try to punish Helen, Helen's father, Captain Keller, does not agree with her methods. Annie is infuriated, and explodes in rage. Luckily, Helen's doting aunt, Ev, convinces Annie to stay, and Annie does. Annie is still trying to break into Helen's silent night, but she is afraid that she is not experienced enough to do the job. Will Annie breakthrough to Helen, or will she become a failure, and Helen live an empty life? Buy the book and read it, and you will find the word that changed world history. The cover also has the title in Braille. It's really neat, because it is embossed enough for you to be able to feel it! I also suggest this book: The Miracle Worker ~ by William Gibson And this movie: The Miracle Worker ~ with Annie Bancroft and Patty Duke

In 1887, Annie Sullivan (age 20) goes to Alabama to try to teach Helen Keller (age 6, who is deaf and blind) how to communicate. Told from Annie's point of view, it talks about her struggles before moving to Alabama from Massachusetts, and what her life was like before she had surgery to restore her own eyesight. Helen proves very difficult to teach. Her family has spoiled her and inadvertently reinforced that crying and being physically violent is the way to get what she wants, because they can't bear to see her upset. It is mostly a story about frustration, emotional turmoil, and feeling defeated; however, it has a bright ending, as we already know the outcome of Annie Sullivan's time spent teaching Helen Keller. I like how each chapter begins with an except from actual letters written by Annie Sullivan, documenting her challenges and time spent with Helen Keller. I would probably recommend this novel to girls. It's major themes are perseverance and success in the face of adversity, and accepting others who are different or have a handicap.

I'm reading this to advanced 5th graders as their read aloud. It's full of figurative language, and they are identifying the types of figures of speech as well as their meaning. The author is excellent, and gives plenty examples of effective dialogue!

I love this book! When I first read it, I was reminded of reading the play, The Miracle Worker. Ms. Miller has written a wonderful book for children about Annie Sullivan, the teacher who helped Helen Keller connect to the world. I have shared the book with my students and other teachers. Some of my students have commented that they never knew about Annie Sullivan, and how important she was to Helen's education.

I am currently reading the book, Miss Spitfire, with my fourth grade class. This book is awesome! I remember reading the story of Helen Keller when I was a child, and I loved it. This book is told from the perspective of the teacher, Miss Annie Sullivan, and it is fantastic! The kids love it too! I highly recommend this book!

This was a fairly easy biography to read. It expressed the frustration that Annie must have felt in a very relatable way.

Love it.

This book is a fictionalised account of the work of Annie Sullivan in teaching deaf-blind Helen Keller to communicate. Quite short, only about the childhood part of Helen's life, but a fascinating presentation of attitudes and approaches to disability at the time (late 19th century).