reviewed

To my knowledge, this is the first graphic novel I’ve ever read. I really hope it won’t be my last, because I loved it! I’ve been intrigued by Helen Keller’s story for years, and this is a fresh, new way to experience her story (and find out about Annie Sullivan’s story, as well!). I loved everything that was crammed into this book—backstory as well as the main story, which was tastefully done and not over-done, quotes from Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller’s writings, and more. Although the art style wasn’t my favorite ever, it delivered the concepts perfectly, and my favorite panels were the ones from Helen’s perspective—I loved watching her world expand as she started learning from Annie rather than fighting against her. If you’re looking for an interesting way to read about these women’s stories, I’d highly recommend this book. I picked it up one afternoon and found myself sucked into it, to the point I couldn’t put it down when I had another job come up. My eight-year-old sister also found it quite engaging and spent an hour or two reading it one afternoon. An enjoyable read! ( )

This book ends a bit abruptly, but does a good job painting a portrait of Annie Sullivan as a character and of trying to depict the sensory experience of a young Helen Keller. Recommended for those two things. But it feels incomplete. I felt the book was just winding up when -- wham -- it's over. ( )

This biographical graphic novel tells the story of Annie Sullivan’s difficult childhood and her first years working to help Helen Keller
communicate and make sense of a world she could neither see nor hear.

Summary: The book is about Annie Sullivan and her relationship with Helen Keller. The book flips between Annie's struggles as a child and her struggles trying to teach Helen. It shows the progress and regress as Helen struggles to learn languages. After Helen has her breakthrough, the story shows Annie and Helen as they build a life long friendship.

Personal Reaction: It was very interesting to see how Helen Keller was taught to communicate. I got excited right along with Annie Sullivan as Helen made a major break through.

Classroom Extensions: 1. I think it would be awesome to have a deaf person visit and teach the children some signs. 2. It would also be cool to have a blind person in to teach about brail and answer some questions. ( )