Miss Spitfire (240 pages)
The book Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller is all about Helen’s teacher, Annie Sullivan nicknamed Miss Spitfire. At the beginning of the book Helen is a reckless and spoiled child. Her parents give her whatever she wants, and require her to do nothing. However when Annie Sullivan comes to teach Helen, she is able to see what potential Helen has. Annie spend countless hours spelling word into Helen’s hands, but Helen does not understand the idea of everything having a name; she is not able to recognize the idea. Annie continues to do her best even though Helen is ruthless and abusive to her. Over the course of many weeks Helen begins to trust Annie more and more, but never befriends her though Annie loves Helen very much. Then one day all of that changes. Finally the concept of everything having a name occurs to Helen. She wants to know what everything is called even though Annie has spelled the names into her hands many times before. They soon become best friends. Annie succeeded in what everyone, including herself, thought was near impossible. She changed Helen from an abusive, spoiled, and reckless child into a girl who had a thirst for knowledge and was accepting. Throughout the rest of Annie’s life she helped Helen through college and beyond always by her side spelling into her hand. Annie never sought recognition because the fact that she had changed Helen and opened new door and possibilities was enough for her.
Wow, Maddie! This actually sounds like a good book — how did you hear about it? Great post!
Posted May 16, 2011, 7:44 amJess