Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Title: Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, 2008.
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: This book follows the close relationship between Helen Keller and her tutor Annie.
Strengths: This is definitely one of my new favorite books. I loved the story and how Helen Keller was portrayed and I especially enjoyed the illustrations. I think Helen Keller literature, like many stories on important people, has fallen into an unfortunate rut, which has thankfully been broken by this book. Most people are used to Helen Keller’s struggles and biographical approach to her life, but Cline-Ransome focuses on the close relationship between Keller and her tutor and the true excitement Keller got from learning about the world through her own sign language. You feel her world prior to Annie and especially after, feeling her struggle, her triumph, and her excitement about experiencing the world again. The illustrations are bright and beautiful. The illustrations help to further the story and the emotions expressed by Cline-Ransome. I think this book will give all students a lesson on perseverance and a new appreciation for Helen Keller.
Classroom Use: This book is a must for studying Helen Keller. I also think this book would be a great read aloud to talk about differences, physical disabilities, and perseverance. This book can also be related to studying senses in science or completing an activity with one of the student’s senses temporarily taken away. For instance taking a walk down the hallways at school blindfolded, which gives students only a small understanding of Helen Keller’s world and an appreciation for the use of our senses.
(image from Amazon.com)
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