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Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller

by Sarah Miller (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 1,223 ratings · 345 reviews

Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she'd taken on a seemingly impossible job -- teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But Helen Keller needed more than a teacher. She needed someone daring enough to work a miracle. And if anyone was a mat...more

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published July 10th 2007 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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Sep 22, 2012 Gundula rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who is interested in Helen Keller's story

Shelves: biographies-memoirs, historical-fiction, challenges-special-needs, childrens-history-nonfiction, childrens-literature, book-reviews

Helen Keller's story has always fascinated me, and I have seen most of the movie versions of William Gibson's play The Miracle Worker more than once. Sarah Miller's Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller basically tells the same story as portrayed in The Miracle Worker (how Annie Sullivan is able to open Helen Keller's sightless and soundless world to language, to communication and personal interaction), but it is a biographical novel told from Annie Sullivan's perspective, in her voice. For a mos...more Helen Keller's story has always fascinated me, and I have seen most of the movie versions of William Gibson's play The Miracle Worker more than once. Sarah Miller's Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller basically tells the same story as portrayed in The Miracle Worker (how Annie Sullivan is able to open Helen Keller's sightless and soundless world to language, to communication and personal interaction), but it is a biographical novel told from Annie Sullivan's perspective, in her voice. For a mostly non-fiction, biographical account, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller is really quite remarkable in that the narrative reads like a novel. Sarah Miller's writing is outstanding, amazing, capturing (what I would consider) Annie Sullivan's voice, her ideas, her feelings and emotions (the first-person narrative feels like it is Annie relating her story, not the author writing as "Annie"). However, Sarah Miller has not only managed to capture her narrator's voice, Annie Sullivan's voice. No, she has also managed to deliver an authentic, realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of seven year old Helen Keller, of her frustration, anger and isolation (how her parents' indulgent behaviour made this frustration worse, how her parents' actions and lack thereof turned an intelligent little girl, frustrated at not being able to communicate, at being isolated by her blindness and deafness, into a wild, seemingly crazed monster of a child).

Annie Sullivan is able to reach through to Helen Keller because she is stubbornly strong-willed and determined to fight for her pupil (even against Helen's family, even when Helen physically lashes out at her). In many ways, Annie understands the girl's anger and frustration, as they mirror her own personality, her own background and history. Miss Spitfire was Annie's nickname at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she, a poor half-blind Irish-American orphan was educated. But Miss Spitfire would also have been a good nickname for Helen, at least until Annie is able to break through the barriers of frustration, isolation, and inadequate discipline to "reach" Helen, to teach her the magic of words, of language.

I highly recommend Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller to older children, young adults, to anyone who enjoys engaging, novelistic biographies (and of course, anyone interested in the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan). Sarah Miller truly has a way with words. Annie and Helen are not just stock characters in an informative non-fiction account of Helen Keller's "awakening" they are living, breathing, emotionally nuanced characters, starring in an inspiring story from despair to hope, frustration to joy, isolation to communication.(less)

15 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2008 Sarah added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Yep, I'm listening to my own book. C'mon -- like you wouldn't do the same if you had the chance? ;)

20 likes · like · see review

Aug 30, 2007 Betsy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Authors that try to tackle any aspect of Helen Keller's life in a children's literary format are simultaneously blessed and cursed. On the one hand, talk about God's gift to authors. The emotional ups and downs of Helen's tale, the (dare I say) hope of her life, I mean she's a great historical character. Loads more interesting to a nine-year-old than your average everyday biographical figures. So there's that. On the other hand, none of this is a secret. As a result, my library's Helen Keller se...more Authors that try to tackle any aspect of Helen Keller's life in a children's literary format are simultaneously blessed and cursed. On the one hand, talk about God's gift to authors. The emotional ups and downs of Helen's tale, the (dare I say) hope of her life, I mean she's a great historical character. Loads more interesting to a nine-year-old than your average everyday biographical figures. So there's that. On the other hand, none of this is a secret. As a result, my library's Helen Keller section of biographies is rivaled only by Martin Luther King Jr. So when I saw that someone had done a middle grade work of fiction regarding Helen and Annie Sullivan's early days, I hardly gave it a thought. Why read what we already know? I mean, if everyone knows a series of facts about someone, can there be any worthwhile reason to read yet ANOTHER story about her life and trials? The answer, as it happens, is yes. Debut author Sarah Miller shows us that even the most familiar story can become edge-of-your-seat gripping when the writing's cool and collected.

There's a reason this book is called "Miss Spitfire". Turns out, that was the nickname bestowed on Annie Sullivan when she attended the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Irish, alone in the world, half-blind, and with guts galore, Ms. Sullivan is terrified at the prospect of her very first job. She's being sent to work with one Helen Keller, a blind, deaf child. The hope is to work a "miracle" on her and teach her to bridge the gap between signing and the use of words. The task turns out to be more than she gambled for, however, when it appears that Helen has had the run of her household for years. Uncivilized, uncouth, and unrepentant, her wishy-washy parents have failed to discipline, thereby allowing Helen to always get what she wants. If Annie didn't see Helen coming, though, you can be darn certain that Helen didn't see Annie either. Now the battle between the two firebrands has begun and it's time to see whether or not the stubbornness of a child who has always had her way can compete with the stubbornness of a woman as tough and smart as Annie Sullivan.

The reason the Helen Keller story works is because Helen is hell on earth. She's not the angelic creature just waiting for a helping hand. No dewy-eyed, saintly personality-challenged naïf she. She's not Little Eva or Little Nell. No she was, to use my grandmother's phrase, a pistol. So for a book like this to work you need to really feel for Annie Sullivan. When Helen cracks her in the jaw with a hardheaded doll, you have to want to strangle the child with your own bare hands and not just Annie's. As an author, Miller's smart enough to know how to tease out the dramatic elements of this tale. Seeing Ms. Sullivan's background, you are all the more impressed at her restraint around Helen. Considering that the girl has enough crafty qualities to try the patience of a saint, and considering that Ms. Sullivan's own father was abusive, you would think such tendency towards violence might easily pass down from father to daughter. Instead, the opposite is true. She does not hit because she knows what it is like to be on the receiving end of a blow. I was very taken with the moral in this story that rules and order breed love. It is Annie's restraint and discipline that in the end manages to tease out that love.

For me, the book is summarized nicely in the real life quote taken from Anne Sullivan's letters to a Ms. Sophia Hopkins, appearing at the beginning of Chapter Six. "The greatest problem I shall have to solve is how to discipline and control her without breaking her spirit." In the solution we find the heart of the novel. I've read very little historical fiction this year that stayed with me. I like to think that Ms. Miller's book is one of the few worth keeping close at hand. A really enjoyable story.(less)

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Lisa Vegan rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: readers interested in Helen Keller, historical fiction, the blind-deaf, teaching

Recommended to Lisa by: Robin

Shelves: gr-author, orphaned-and-quasi-orphaned-kids, fiction, historical-fiction, young-adult, childrens, reviewed

This book almost got a place on my favorites shelf.

A huge thank you to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for rescuing this book from the morass of my bloated to-read shelf and inspiring me to read it with her review and her various comments about it.

It hooked me in right from the start.

I have always been fascinated by the lives of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Here, I really loved Annie’s first person voice in this novel, as a twenty year old sent to teach six-year-old Helen Keller, at times reminis...more This book almost got a place on my favorites shelf.

A huge thank you to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for rescuing this book from the morass of my bloated to-read shelf and inspiring me to read it with her review and her various comments about it.

It hooked me in right from the start.

I have always been fascinated by the lives of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Here, I really loved Annie’s first person voice in this novel, as a twenty year old sent to teach six-year-old Helen Keller, at times reminiscing about her past. This historical fiction story did a fabulous job of conveying the needs and desires of the young Annie Sullivan. I loved seeing things from her point of view. I felt so deeply for Annie, as well as for Helen.

The book is fiction but there are many non-fiction extras. There are fabulous non-fiction extras. There are wonderful photos of Helen, Annie, Helen’s house of birth, etc. including the famous water pump. There are acknowledgements and a more information section with books, online, video. And there’s a very useful chronology timeline going from Annie’s birth to Helen’s death.

So, this is a novel, and a kids’ novel, though one of those that can be equally enjoyed by all ages, I’d say nine and up. It’s historical fiction but based on two very well known women. The events in the book pretty much cover the same timeframe that was covered in The Miracle Worker movies. The “famous moment” is shown as being somewhat different from the version in the movies, but the gist is the same.

At the beginning of each chapter, there are quotes taken from letters Annie wrote back to Perkin’s School for the Blind when she was first trying to teach Helen. Before Annie’s accomplishment there was only one other deaf-blind student who had learned language so successfully and Annie did make use of the techniques used with the other student, but she also used other various techniques to reach Helen, as well as her wit, her intuition, and she also made good use of her strength of character. I had read Helen Keller’s biography, and seen both Miracle Worker movies, but I learned quite a bit from reading this, though I do wonder how much was fictional and how much was fact.

I got a different take than I've ever read/been exposed to before now. Annie’s is a powerful voice and in this account she’s just as interesting as is Helen.

As I do with the movies, I cried myself silly as I read, especially as I anticipated that life changing moment. The miracle of Helen & Annie (despite their many lifelong difficulties) is inspiring, and I appreciate that here’s another version of the story, and a very readable one it is!(less)

17 likes · like · see review

Dec 24, 2009 Laurel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

I've been fascinated by Helen Keller (and her relationship with her teacher) since I was a little girl. Her story, no matter how you look at it, is a remarkable one.

Sarah Miller's wonderfully written debut is a fictionalized account of Anne Sullivan's first several weeks (told from her perspective) as Helen Keller's teacher. Miller based her writing in part on actual letters Anne wrote at the time -- excerpts of which she quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

The journey from their introducti...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 12, 2011 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Miller, Sarah. 2007. Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller.

I don't quite remember when I first saw the movie The Miracle Worker, but I do remember it making a great impact on me. I remember being fascinated with finger spelling, particularly the famous w-a-t-e-r and d-o-l-l. I do know that at some point afterwards, I learned the alphabet. It's something I still know to this day, though I don't place too much confidence on my being able to remember "x" or "z" or "q" on demand. But there is somethi...more Miller, Sarah. 2007. Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller.

I don't quite remember when I first saw the movie The Miracle Worker, but I do remember it making a great impact on me. I remember being fascinated with finger spelling, particularly the famous w-a-t-e-r and d-o-l-l. I do know that at some point afterwards, I learned the alphabet. It's something I still know to this day, though I don't place too much confidence on my being able to remember "x" or "z" or "q" on demand. But there is something about this story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan that has always fascinated me. So when I first read about Miss Spitfire, I was excited. Very excited. I wanted to track down a copy of this book quickly. Very quickly.

But enough about my pre-reading activity. What did I think of Miss Spitfire? I loved it. Absolutely loved it. True, I was already interested in the story. Already compelled to love it based on my prior history, but Sarah Miller's writing was remarkable. I not only fell in love with the story. I fell in love with how she told the story.

"I'm not sure I can do this job. Yet a part of me understands Helen better than she does herself. I'm no stranger to frustration, anger, isolation. I wonder, though, how Helen can be content to deprive herself of my affection? The thought of her indifference makes my throat sting, yet I can't help feeling drawn to her. If I could only touch her heart, I know I could reach her mind. But she won't even let me hold her hand." (43)

"It seems nothing I do comes out right. But in my heart I know what's right for Helen: obedience, love, and language. Come what may and hell to pay, I'll find a way to give her all three." (64)

Annie Sullivan is a young woman on a mission. Her job? To teach a child--a six year old child--who is blind, deaf, and dumb. It won't be easy. There has only been one successful case in the past to base their hopes and dreams on: Laura Bridgman. But Annie is strong-minded and determined. She'll need every ounce of stubborness she has if she's going to master the willfullness of Helen. Used to getting her own way, Helen runs wild. And as Annie soon points out, the family expects better behavior from the dogs than they do their young daughter. Helen has never been disciplined a day in her life--at least since an illness left her blind and deaf. This journey from despair to hope, from chaos to communication, is an important one. It is full of emotion--as day by day Annie struggles to teach and love a child who fails to comprehend the meaning of words altogether. Anger. Frustration. Rage. Joy. Happiness. Fear. Hope. Despair. It's all here. Annie and Helen. This is their story.

And for the record, I loved, loved, loved the ending. It was oh-so-magical.
(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 22, 2007 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is the story of Helen Keller's teacher, Annie Sullivan, as she struggles to teach a girl who can neither hear, see, nor speak. She displays incredible strength and determination as she sacrifices herself completely for Helen. Almost everyone knows this story, but hearing it from the teacher's point of view is a really unique insight. This delightful debut novel will keep you rooting for teacher and student right up until its triumphant ending.

"In my heart I know what's right for Helen...more

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Shruti S rated it 4 of 5 stars

I recently finished reading "Miss.Spitfire" by Sarah Miller. Nicknamed "Miss Spitfire" Annie Sullivan, a half blind orphan is destined to do the impossible, teach Helen Keller, a blind and deaf child. As wild, obnoxious and spoiled as Helen is, it is amazing to see how persistent and firm Annie is to make the real Helen come out of her world of darkness. This book is definitely character driven and has lots of voice.

Whenever I try to teach or help my little sister, it is hard because she either...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-historical-fiction, read-ya, read-goodreads-authors, 2012-ya-book-club-a-z-challenge

I've been fascinated with the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan ever since I was little and first read about them. This novel is based on their first month together, when Helen first learned to communicate with fingerspelled words. I think Sarah Miller has captured Annie's frustrations and emotions just right. Even though I knew the story, and knew what would happen, it was still suspenseful, and I couldn't put it down.

Miller certainly did plenty of research in preparation for writing th...more

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Nov 03, 2007 LibrariAnne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full disclosure: I have always been fascinated by the story of Helen Keller, but even more by her teacher Annie Sullivan. One of my books on a long ago Scholastic Book order back in elementary school was Helen Keller's Teacher. I read about Annie Sullivan's horrendous childhood, years of which were spent at the almshouse Tewksbury in Massachusetts. There her beloved brother Jimmy died of tuberculosis, leaving her alone, angry, and blinded by glaucoma. Miraculously, she found her way to an educat...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 30, 2007 Roxanne Hsu Feldman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalfiction, 4-6grade, childrensbooks, bestbooks

It is quite powerful: Annie Sullivan's story has been one of the most powerful human stories after all -- Miller adds a little more to its power when she imagined Annie's selfish hunger at that human connection which she so lacked as a child and young woman before she met Helen. The story of the young Annie and her family is woven in quite seamlessly and effectively to the "Miracle Worker" plot line. It's also unusual that this is a book for fairly young readers told from a first person adult po...more

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Sep 20, 2007 Abby Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

A fictionalized memoir of Annie Sullivan, the woman who taught Helen Keller language, this book was completely engrossing to me. It starts when Annie Sullivan first arrives at the Kellers' home. She has flashbacks to her own horrible childhood, which she endured in several terrible orphanages. Annie has been hired to teach six-year-old Helen Keller language. When she arrives at the Keller home, she finds a feisty, intelligent little savage. Helen is totally wild because her parents feel too guil...more

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Jun 12, 2007 Sammy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: c-the-okay

I think the only things that makes this different from the Miracle Worker is that it's a book, it sheds a little more light on Annie Sullivan's past, and it's told in first person from her perspective. Other than that it's just, really, the book form of Miracle Worker.

Putting aside the fact that the book is geared towards younger people, it's pretty good writing, especially this being Miller's first novel. But while the story of Helen Keller is fascinating, I have to wonder why we should read th...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 22, 2007 Little rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all ages

Teachers strive to inspire their students to do their best, to expand their horizons, and to challenge themselves. Annie Sullivan's life was one challenge after another, and her first teaching charge was no exception. Helen Keller was blind, deaf, and completely wild when Annie first came into her life. Little did either of them know then that they would have a breakthrough within weeks of Annie's arrival, and that they would remain friends for the rest of Annie's life.

MISS SPITFIRE: Reaching He...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Marisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the Helen Keller story told from her teacher's point of view. It was excellent and so amazing to learn more of their relationship which lasted throughout their lives. Also check out the movie "The Miracle Worker" it also very closely follows this book and is great for kids too if you've never seen it.

1 like · like · see review

Aug 23, 2007 Leisl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2007_reads

I really enjoyed the way the book was written from Annie's perspective. However, I was hoping that the story would go on beyond the story of Helen figuring out the meaning of words. I was always disappointed in The Miracle Worker because it didn't go beyond the "miracle moment". I read a biography when I was eight that my mom had when she was young (and Helen wasn't even dead yet, when that one was written) that went through Helen's life up to the time that the book was written. Maybe I should w...more

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May 25, 2011 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

So far this book is good. There are 2 diffrent view points one from Annie Sullivain and the other from Helen Keller. Annie is worrying about how hard Helen will be to work with.

Okay so I finished this book today and it was AMAZING more than amzing!!!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 21, 2009 Eva Mitnick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, ya

This book astonished me with its intense depiction of Annie Sullivan as a flawed but persistent teacher with a tragic past. She was only 20 years old and fresh out of Perkins Institution for the Blind when she arrived at the Keller household, so it’s no wonder that she was not a calm and competent model of serenity. In fact, Miller’s portrayal of her as a person starved for affection and sparking with pent-up anger makes total sense considering Annie Sullivan’s early years in the Tewksbury State...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Simone rated it 3 of 5 stars

This amazing book tells the inside story of Helen Keller's first months with Annie Sullivan, her teacher. Miller uses beautiful language to tell Annie's tale starting from when she first got off the train in Alabama. At first, Helen's chances of learning seem hopeless. How can a young, inexperienced student like Annie teach a wild, spoiled, deaf-blind child like Helen? However, Annie is persistent, and a month later, Helen has turned into a calm, civilized child who can spell words with her hand...more

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May 31, 2012 Rachel Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

In 1904, Helen Keller became the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree. In a time where women were rarely educated, and the disabled were shunned, Helen Keller wrote books and articles, and campaigned tirelessly for the blind. I am sure you have all heard of Helen Keller and her remarkable achievements.

Behind her success was a half blind orphan named Annie Sullivan, known to Helen as "Teacher." Annie, nicknamed "Miss Spitfire" as a child, had the daunting task of teaching Helen....more

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Mar 08, 2012 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenges, audio, historical-fiction, ya-fiction

Why I picked it up: I’ve always been fascinated by Helen Keller and I liked the idea of a story from Annie Sullivan’s point of view.

Annie Sullivan has not had an easy life. After graduating from Perkins School for the Blind, and with eyes that are ugly from operations to give her some vision, Annie takes a train south to be teacher to a 6-year-old deaf and blind child. The child runs wild, her family too sorry for her to give her any discipline.

My opinion of the book: I liked it. I was confused...more

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Mar 07, 2012 IndyPL Kids Book Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

In 1887, Annie Sullivan leaves Boston by train to travel to Alabama. Annie is a teacher on her way to her first teaching assignment, but it isn’t just any student Annie will be teaching. The child Annie has been hired to teach is both deaf and blind and no one knows whether the little girl named Helen will ever be able to learn. Annie discovers her new student to be stubborn, uncooperative and violent - she even knocks Annie’s teeth out! But really, who can blame her? How frustrating would it be...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Corinne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grade

Having arrived in Alabama, Anne Sullivan has no idea of what to expect when she meets her new pupil, the deaf and blind Helen Keller. How can Anne reach into Helen's mind and help her not only understand WHAT language is, but how to communicate? It doesn't take long to realize that the task will be much harder than she imagines. Helen is wild, angry and insistent on controlling her own family. Anne, having been without her sight for many years, sympathizes with Helen's frustration but Anne will...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult

I think I was in fourth or fifth grade when I found a series of red clothbound biographies in the library. They contained the lives of Annie Oakley, Clara Barton, Benjamin Franklin, and Helen Keller. Of the series, I must have re-read the Helen Keller book four or five times. She fascinated me.

It was quite a few years later before I saw "The Miracle Worker" with Patty Duke. Later on in my life, I read other biographies of Helen Keller and saw other versions of "The Miracle Worker." I even read a...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Amerydbaker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club

I loved this account of Helen Keller. I love the story of Helen Keller and was hungry to read anything about her story. I only wish this book covered more of her life. It is the story of Annie Sullivan and how she broke through to Helen Keller. The story starts with Annie meeting the six year old beast-like deaf and blind child. Helen is a monster. She communicates with physical force and is left to do what she pleases. The Keller's don't have the heart to disipline her as they see her as unfort...more

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Jan 23, 2011 10-11 Estrella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Miss.Spitfire is about how Miss.Annie tried teaching Hellen Keller how to speak and behave herself. They go trough alot of fighting and confusion while teachin Helen how to spell and what are the objects name. Everyone think just because Hellen was deaf and blind meant that she could have whatever she wanted and they felt sorry for her. Miss.Annie changed all of that She had no pity for Helen,she once was blind too. She had grew with her little brother Jimmie who had died three years ago. Miss.A...more Miss.Spitfire is about how Miss.Annie tried teaching Hellen Keller how to speak and behave herself. They go trough alot of fighting and confusion while teachin Helen how to spell and what are the objects name. Everyone think just because Hellen was deaf and blind meant that she could have whatever she wanted and they felt sorry for her. Miss.Annie changed all of that She had no pity for Helen,she once was blind too. She had grew with her little brother Jimmie who had died three years ago. Miss.Annie by then started learning and then became a teacher for the blind and deaf. That was her only option to become a teacher. She had no family her mother had died and her father had abonded her when she was little and the only person she has was Jimmie but he was no longer there with her.

Miss.Annie tried her best to teach Hellen something,she knew that Helen was a dum little deaf girl like everyone though she was. Miss.Annie knew there was a spark of life in Hellen's brain.
At the begging Hellen didnt want to learn anything she would fight with Miss.Annie. But still Miss.Annie never gave up she tried and tried till Helen would copy what Miss.Annie had spelled in her hand. Miss.Annie gave her a bit of chocolate cake when Helen did what she was suppose to do.
Miss.Annie started by trying tto get Helen to get her table manners right and to eat fom her own plate not roaming around and eating from everyone plate.

Miss.Annie needed to move ou from the house with Helen because with her parents Helen wouldnt do what Miss.Annie.Helen knew that having her mother there she would protect her and profid Miss.Annie to do whatever she wanted Helen to do. Miss.Annie and Helen lived in the little house next to the house were Mrs.Keller and Mr.Keller lived. There Miss.Annie had all the space to teach Helen her manners and how to change her self and how to do her hair.

A month later they moved to the big house with the rest of the family they were all impresed by the way Helen behaved herself and how she dressed herslef everyday.

From then Miss.Annie and Helen were very close. Helen got her degree and she became and international figure to support blind and deaf kids all over the world.

I really lked this book(:(less)

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Apr 08, 2011 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen, historical, special-needs, realistic-fiction, tween-safe

I really enjoyed this book. It has made me want to look into Helen Keller's autobiography, as well as the biography she wrote about Anne Sullivan.

Beginning when Anne Sullivan is traveling to her new "post" as teacher to a blind and deaf 6 year old girl (Helen Keller), Anne's voice is unsure and nervous. Though quickly, it's easy to discern how she was nicknamed Miss Spitfire, through her description of her own past life experience, which is intertwined with the story. When she arrives at Ivy Gre...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, 2011

Oh, this is a tough one! Miss Spitfire is beautifully written and Sarah Miller did a wonderful job of with a story that so many of us know from The Miracle Worker. Many students at least know who Helen Keller is, even if they haven't learned much about her.

So, while recognizing that this piece of historical fiction was particularly well done, I have to admit that I didn't like it very much. Annie Sullivan seemed like such a mean-spirited, impatient, and bitter woman that I just couldn't take pl...more

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Feb 02, 2009 Alyssa rated it 3 of 5 stars

"Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller" by Sarah Miller is a book to remember. It is full of love, courage, and what it means to never give up even if it seems like all is lost. This book is historical fiction, told in Annie Sullivan's perspective of reaching the well-known Helen Keller. This book is not fast-paced or that exciting, but teaches you about life and what it means to love.
Helen Keller was a 6-year-old girl with no hope. She had been blind and deaf for her whole life, growing up in...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Linda Lipko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

This is well written and absorbing. Ann Sullivan entered Helen Keller's life when she was 20 and Helen was six. Blind, deaf Helen was an exceedingly pampered, spoiled brat, locked in her own world of confusion. Her parents showed pity and allowed Helen to have free reign to punch, push, eat food like a pig and throw horrendous temper tantrums throughout the entire day.

All this changed when Ann Sullivan accepted the challenge of teaching Helen. Using very harsh, stern methods Ann gradually was ab...more

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About Sarah Miller

My friends would tell you I'm quirky, slightly obsessive, and rather irreverent. I majored in linguistics, minored in Russian, and was the undisputed fingerspelling champ in my ASL classes. I can also read Braille -- very, VERY slowly. A few of the things I like best: opera, sushi, daffodils, Walt Disney World, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chuao dark chocolate, I Love Lucy, Jeopardy, the Titanic, Bette Davi...more

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title link	preview: Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
avg rating	preview: Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller Goodreads rating: 4.03 (1223 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31189.Miss_Spitfire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348345977l/31189.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31189.Miss_Spitfire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller[/url]

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller

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